Marshall University will host the 2024 Appalachian Institute for Digital Evidence (AIDE) Conference March 4-7 at the Memorial Student Center, featuring experts and vendors from various fields of cyber forensics and security.
AIDE is a regional, nonprofit organization that promotes research and education in digital evidence, cyber forensics and cyber security and fosters innovation and collaboration among academic institutions, law enforcement and members of the legal and business communities.
It’s presenting the conference in partnership with the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security, a research and education center that focuses on the development and application of cyber security technologies and solutions. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in cyber forensics and security, and is recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
The conference will cover subjects such as law enforcement, open-source intelligence, industrial control systems, cyber security, dark web, cryptocurrency, and more. Each day of the conference has a different theme and focus, with sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and discussions led by experts and practitioners from academia, industry and government. The schedule is as follows:
• Monday, March 4: Law Enforcement Day
• Tuesday, March 5: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Industrial Control Systems
• Wednesday, March 6: Cyber Forensics and Cyber Security
• Thursday, March 7: Cyber Forensics and Cyber Security
“It is great to see the event returning after the pandemic and providing opportunities for learning and networking for students and practitioners alike,” said Bill Gardner, an associate professor of Cyber Forensics and Security and co-lead for Academic Programs for the institute. “AIDE aims to provide a platform for professionals, students, researchers, and enthusiasts to learn, network, and exchange ideas on the emerging and evolving topics of cyber forensics and security.”
The AIDE 2024 Conference is open to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and skills in cyber forensics and security, as well as to support the mission and vision of AIDE and the MU Institute for Cyber Security.
“During the planning, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with the speakers. I have no doubt that many students will leave the conference with contacts that will lead to a job after graduation,” said Robert Miller II, a graduate assistant for the Cyber Forensics and Security master’s degree program.
In addition, the conference will also host a specialized career fair, in collaboration with Marshall’s Office of Career Education, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 in the student center, where employers can connect with skilled and motivated students specializing in cyber forensics and security. The career fair is open to all conference attendees and interested parties.
The conference is free, though registration is required. Participants can register at marshall.edu/cyber/aide. For more information about the conference, visit the website or contact John Sammons, associate director of the Institute for Cyber Security, at john.sammons@marshall.edu.