CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The WVU Cyber-Resilience Resource Center is a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity range for cutting-edge research into learning ways to protect the data of residents and businesses.
Cyber-Resilience Resource Center Executive Director Christopher Ramezan said the advancement and proliferation of technology has made everyone a potential victim of a cyberattack.
“Today with digital transformation, all businesses using modern technologies, the internet, and all sorts of digital devices embedded in our homes. Cybersecurity has become a national concern,” Ramezan said recently on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the new tools that can be very helpful but at the same time can put users in the crosshairs of an attack. Ramezan said to never use actual personal information in any AI platform unless you understand that information will go to the “cloud.”
“We are emphasizing for people to use these AI tools responsibly,” Ramezan said. “Anything you put into an AI tool, consider that no longer private, and we want to teach people these best practices.”
Students in the CRRC get in the field to work with businesses and individuals to help them understand the risks and how to reinforce security measures. The program is an example of addressing the land-grant mission charged to the institution in real time.
“We want to go in and make sure these businesses and facilities are keeping West Virginians’ data safe, and we’re going to use our student talent to do that,” Ramezan said. “Get these students into the real world and help protect businesses at no cost.”
Many people or companies might use an AI platform during tax season or for some other financial forecasting needs. Ramezan said if that is an option for someone, you should try to remain as anonymous as possible—one of the easiest ways to protect your data.
“That is what we call personable, identifiable information– PII,” Ramezan said. “Make sure you’re not putting any information that’s identifiable about you or your business online.”
Ramezan said the center is available to any business, organization, or critical infrastructure in West Virginia that will have access to the CRRC. The CRRC is also a key partner with the National Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity, helping to address the same issues nationwide.
“They’re able to go out and use the knowledge they’ve learned in the classroom to go help West Virginians,” Ramezan said. “Whether you’re a power plant operator or a local mom-and-pop shop, I want them to actually help secure our systems and data all across the state.”
Ramezan spoke with state lawmakers about the program during WVU Day at the state capitol last week.