UGA anti-malware program AMICO

AMICO is an anti-malware program developed by Roberto Perdisci, an assistant professor of computer science at UGA, and his students that helps to protect sensitive information from cybercriminals. This summer, the program is part of a Cyber Innovation Internship Program, a 10-week summer program where the Telos Corporation works with local Loudoun County[Virginia] High School students, exiting seniors and college freshman (University of Virginia & George Mason University) to work on applied technologies in cyber security while continuing to gain real world experience in more advanced topics in computer science and programming, mathematics, cyber security, collaboration, business innovation and entrepreneurship. 

The primary focus of the program is to apply the student’s diverse academic backgrounds, knowledge and skills, to current “real-world” cyber challenges and opportunities while giving them the guidance in solving (“learn by doing”) real world cyber security problems in a collaborative team environment. The program also gives students an opportunity to work with US national Laboratories and Universities to develop cyber related start-up ventures with direction and mentorship in applied entrepreneurship and with a formal business rigor and methodology. 

UGA is one of a few universities taking part in this intership program, which is sponsored by the Telos Corporation and supported by the Department of Homeland Security. The participating students will perform a technical and business analysis of the AMICO project that will be part of a business plan to create a suitable path for commercializing the AMICO technology. That would be a big breakthrough for a big breaktgrouhg, so to speak, and a great opportunity for these students to learn about the tech side of entrepreneurship. The program begins June 22 and runs through August 28.

As university research projects continue to enter the entrepreneurial realm, look for more great programs like this, which create multiple teaching opportunities as they evolve toward the private sector industry. Great job, Dr. Perdisci and students.