Oakland, CA - Mills College has been selected to participate in a major national effort to improve cybersecurity and protect the country’s computer infrastructure from cyberattacks.  Mills is one of eight collaborating universities and colleges nationwide to comprise the new Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technology (TRUST), led by the University of California at Berkeley.

One of two National Science Foundation Science and Technology Centers funded in 2005, TRUST is expected to receive nearly $19 million over a five-year period, with the potential for a five-year, $20 million extension following the initial term.

Concerns are increasing about the security of U.S. information and data systems following last month’s report from the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee stating that the U.S. information infrastructure is “highly vulnerable” to attacks.

“TRUST provides Mills an exciting opportunity to be in the forefront of change, bringing societal trust into electronic communications,” said Janet L. Holmgren, Mills President.  “Our outstanding computer science faculty and  undergraduate and graduate students will play a major role in developing and piloting a nationwide model for new curricula in computer security.  Mills will train scientists and engineers to create the next generation of trustworthy computer systems.”

The Center’s research goals include devising complex systems addressing security, privacy, and economic and human use factors.

Partnering with Mills in the UC Berkeley-led TRUST initiative are: Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, San Jose State University, Smith College, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University.  Other participating affiliates include Bellsouth, Cisco Systems, ESCHER (a research consortium including Boeing, General Motors, and Raytheon), Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Qualcomm, Sun Microsystems, and Symantec.

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs for undergraduate women, and graduate degree and certificate programs for women and men. Consistently ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills is also recognized as one of the country’s 15 most diverse colleges. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California on 135 lush acres, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women’s leadership, social responsibility, and creativity.

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Deborah Dallinger
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