Do you have a motivated, talented student with an interest in security? Do you want to help introduce and drive some computer and information security--focused courses at your institution? Then consider mentoring that student and networking with other colleagues doing the same.

SISMAT (Secure Information Systems Mentoring and Training) is an Institute for Security, Technology, and Society program in its inaugural, pilot year. This initiative aims to bring the extensive expertise of security researchers and educators at Dartmouth College together with students and faculty from other colleges in the northeast who do not have extensive secure systems curricula. SISMAT will help educate a new generation of security professionals to meet the needs of commercial, governmental, and non-profit organizations located within the northeast region and nationwide, as well as facillitate the improvement of security education throughout the region. The program's focus (Public Key Infrastructures and trusted systems) reflect areas of expertise that these organizations currently desire in security interns or new employees.

SISMAT explicitly targets undergraduate institutions whose curricula provide junior and seniors sufficient preparation to learn the hands-on practice of security, but whose faculty do not feel qualified to advise or teach advanced security topics.

Participant faculty should be actively interested in mentoring the partner student from their institutions, desire additional training and support in the development of secure systems curricula, and seek the opportunity to communicate with their peers from other institutions who are engaged in similar activities.

SISMAT seeks undergraduate participants who do not necessarily fit the traditional stereotype of a "hacker," and is recruiting relatively inexperienced students with an interest and aptitude for security-related thinking and problem solving. The ability to work well with others, think creatively, absorb a variety of information in a short amount of time, and a desire practically apply that knowledge are all more important than a student's GPA, although academic qualifications are also a factor in program admission. SISMAT especially seeks students from populations traditionally underrepresented in Computer Science, including women and minorities.

Students participate in an intensive two-week security training course in mid-June, followed by a summer internship (acquired with the help of SISMAT organizers) and a semester- or year-long independent project at their home institution.

Faculty participants will serve as mentors to the students throughout their involvement in SISMAT, and as academic advisors for the independent study. Faculty members will join the students for two or three days (expenses paid) on the Dartmouth Campus during the June training, during which time SISMAT organizers will facilitate a variety of professional development and training exercises. Faculty members will collaborate with the SISMAT internship supervisors in identifying areas in which regional institutions can develop their programs to better prepare students to assume security positions at graduation.

If you are interested in being a partner faculty participant, or know of undergraduates at your institution that would be a good match for this program, we would like to hear from you! Please email sismat at cs.dartmouth.edu.