The word Steganography is derived from the Greek words steganos which means cover and graphy which means writing. Thus, Steganography literally means “covered writing.” Covered writing has been used throughout history for secret communications. Criminals, to include terrorists, have always sought ways to conceal their activity in real, or physical space. The same is true in virtual, or cyber space. Digital Steganography represents a particularly significant threat today because of the large number of digital Steganography applications freely available on the Internet that can be used to hide any digital file inside of another digital file. Use of these applications, which are both easy to obtain and simple to use, allows criminals to conceal their activities in cyber space. Thus, Steganography presents a significant challenge to law enforcement as well as the commercial community because detecting hidden information and then extracting that information is very difficult. Glenn Watt, CEO of Backbone Security.Com will provide a 45-minute lecture on Steganography that will explain what it is, how it works, and how it might affect you. During the presentation, Mr. Watt will perform a live demonstration of Steganography to further reinforce everyone’s educational experience. Parts of his lecture were televised a few months ago on the Channel 13 show, Computerwise.
Presenter:
Glen Watt
President and CEO
Backbone Security, Inc.
Glenn Watt, President and CEO of Backbone Security, Inc. brings over 28 years of experience delivering security solutions to the information technology community. He has a unique blend of academic, government and industry experience that forged expertise in networking, security, and executive management.
Colonel Watt entered the U.S. Air Force as a graduate of Lehigh University’s ROTC program possessing both a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science. Over his twenty-year career his positions included Associate Professor of Computer Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, and a number of years as Deputy Chief of Network Security Research, National Security Agency (NSA), along with Director of Computer Security for Strategic Air Command and Commander of the 509th Communications Squadron supporting the B-2 Stealth bomber. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1999.
Mr. Watt also directly influenced the development of federal security criteria as he commanded the defense of our nation during numerous cyber attacks. He has published dozens of network security articles, appeared on CNN and other national media outlets, lectured on three continents, and is a frequent keynote speaker at security conferences. A sampling of his publications include:
Qualification Based Selection for the Procurement of Cyber Security Engineering Services – The Security Journal, Volume 11 May 2005, pg 18-21
Self-inflicted System Malfunctions Threaten Information Assurance – SIGNAL, July ‘99
E-Mail Bombs and Counter Measures: Cyber Attacks on Availability and Brand Integrity – IEEE Networks, Vol. 12 No. 2 Mar/Apr 1998, pg. 10-16
Defensive Warfare in the 5th Dimension – Air Force Chief of Staff White Paper
Simple Framework for Filtering Queued SMTP Mail – IEEE/MILCON '97 Conference
As leader of Backbone Security, Inc., Mr. Watt led the development of over 270 hours of certified security courses. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education accredited the curriculum for a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Security. He also provides information security training to corporate clients around the world. Mr. Watt also manages a team of security engineers who perform network risk assessments, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. He also supervises Backbone Security’s state-of-the-art 24 x 7 cyber network monitoring center.
After the events of 9/11, the National White Collar Crime Center recognized Backbone Security’s direct support to the FBI’s fight against the Al Quida terrorists. The International Association of University Research Parks selected Backbone Security as the “Company of the Year 2002 and in 2005 Mr. Watt was selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year in Northeast Pennsylvania. Backbone Security is also recognized as only one of seven firms certified by the NSA to perform security assessments in strict accordance with U.S. Government standards.
Mr. Watt’s firm recently completed a comprehensive computer vulnerability assessment for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the West Virginia State Treasure’s office and is now one of three companies selected to do the same for the entire government of the City of New York. These state/city-wide assessments are crucial for plotting a valuable cyber security strategy necessary to guide public-sector CIOs with the essential information to deliver a hardened security network to the public.
