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This year marks the 31th anniversary of the first mobile phone in Australia. Ten years later, in the Swiss headquarters of CERN, the Computer Scientist Tim Berners Lee created the World Wide Web.
Despite the relative 'youth' of these technologies, it is hard to imagine a world without them. They are fundamental. They have changed the way we interact forever. They have changed the way we communicate, the way we work and the way we relax.
As always, there is a price to pay for such a rapid change and development in technology. As a society, we have left gaping holes in security and privacy as we march on, ever modernising and digitising. These effects are so far reaching that they concern the security of nations, the integrity of corporations and the privacy of individuals. Yet are scientists and engineers to blame? When have we ever stopped and considered the privacy and security implications of the technology we develop?
In 2010 Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's atomic energy agency, announced that completion of Bushehr (Iran's first Nuclear power plant) would be delayed a further 3 months. They denied any connection to 'stuxnet'.
Stuxnet, a computer worm, has been described by the Internet security firm Semantic as "the most complex threat they have ever analysed". Described as a master of stealth, stuxnet transmitted itself to over 45,000 devices; of which 60% were in Iran. Ordinary computer users would not have noticed a change; for there was nothing to notice. It was designed to install itself on a USB flash drive, and hide. It then waited for the right set of conditions to occur.
Those conditions are unique to specific Siemens machines called SCADA systems. These are high end machines that run and monitor systems such as manufacturing plants, water treatment facilities, civil defence systems and... power plants around the world. Even the smallest security breach to one of these systems could wreck havoc on society - power plants would halt, water treatment systems would stop, traffic control systems would crumble.
The elegance of stuxnet was the target computer didn't need to be connected to the Internet at all - all it needed was an infected USB to be inserted into one of these high-end SCADA systems.
Stuxnet was not looking for just any SCADA system, but rather it had targets. Curiously the only SCADA systems believed to be affected by the worm were those involved in the Iranian nuclear program. It is believed that stuxnet was the product of a state-backed attack to delay Iran's nuclear ambitions. Politically motivated, no doubt; but stuxnet serves to highlight an important point - technology is now a weapon, and security our only defence.
In a world of increasing technology and connectedness, it is near impossible to keep any system isolated. Traffic systems, airports, power plants... all are susceptible to similar attacks. Our society has modernised and interconnected itself so rapidly that scientists and engineers who create the technology have been unable to strike the balance between security and advancement.
Nations are not the only ones affected. In April 2011, the Japanese juggernaut Sony and its PlayStation Network and Qriocity service were crippled by hackers for a cringe-worthy 23 days - an eternity in Internet time. In the process, over 77 million credit cards and other personally identifiable information was stolen.
The examples are plentiful: Britain's National Health Service (hacked), CityGroup network (some 200,000 clients' information stolen), Epsilon database (2500 companies' emailing lists stolen).
Even the Australian government is vulnerable to cyber attack. Despite similar attacks back in 2007, in February of this year the government was stung once again. Up to 10 Federal ministerial computers (including the Prime Minister's) were compromised.
Perhaps the most confronting breaches to our own privacy and security are self-inflicted. The technology that represents the biggest breach of our privacy and security is often the most integral and entrenched... our mobile phones.
Our mobile phones never leave us. They are the last thing we check at night as we go to sleep, and the first when we wake. One smart phone alone has the computing power that was used to send man to the moon. Despite this, society is generally blind to the risks they present; and to the implications this causes.
Ever since GPS chips started appearing in phones there has been a resulting privacy fallout. Apple's latest iPhones come with GPS tracking built-in; should the phone become lost or stolen. However, this service is always on; and because our phones are always with us, it becomes a very simple and covert way to track someone's whereabouts. GPS tracking is a feature, not an oversight. Without much difficulty at all, parents can covertly track their children's whereabouts, wives can check up on their husbands, and bosses can monitor their staff.
Nowadays, when a picture is taken, most GPS-enabled phones will automatically include the location in the photo data. This isn't a problem until the image is widely distributed; and potentially thousands can discover the location it was taken. With services like email, Twitter and Facebook; this is easy. Most will strip out the location data, but many, including email, will not. Technology such as this runs the risk of exposing the locations where photos are taken, with pinpoint accuracy. Often, these are people's homes and workplaces.
Sometimes, the apps are also to blame. Blendr is a mobile dating app with a twist - It shows users how many kilometers they are from each other. Many such users are unaware, but by sampling distances from three different positions and using triangulation, it's possible to compute a person's location, without them explicitly revealing it.
Chinese and US researchers have shown a proof-of-concept Android smart phone application that spies in on users' phone calls, listening for credit card numbers and pins. With the app running in the background, when the user made a call, the app would monitor the microphone for someone speaking or dialing a string of numbers (as in telephone banking) then log the information surreptitiously. It was just an experiment, but startling nonetheless.
The solution is clear... there is no going back. The only solution is to move forward. Society owes a great deal of gratitude to the scientists and engineers who create these immensely powerful technologies, but it does not excuse these professionals from their responsibilities. There is a high risk to our privacy and security today. It is the responsibility of the creators to inform and make society aware of the dangers of these technologies, rather than just providing them.
Whether it's a nation, a corporation or an end user... security is more important than we think. We need to address the issue of privacy and security in the industry, and for scientists and engineers; security and privacy need to be a priority, not an after thought.
Adam Smallhorn is the secretary and a regular contributor for the Young Scientists of Australia, Sydney Chapter. The Young Scientists of Australia (or YSA Sydney) is a volunteer, youth run organisation dedicated to promoting Science to the Youth of Australia. Accepting members from ages 15-25, you can find more information at the website: http://www.ysa.org.au/sydney/
A career in computers is still a popular choice even in the current recessive economic times we are experiencing. With advances in computer technology and network communications leading to continuous developments, the requirement for trained professionals and skilled graduates is always in high demand. A computer science major is popular choice for students today as this field remains at the forefront of expanding technology. Students with a computer science degree will always be a hot
candidate in the job market.
Computer science involves the host of sub-divisions ranging from theory to development, programming to computing solutions. A computer science degree provides a foundation that prepares students to constantly adapt to new ideas and technologies. Computer scientists are required to design and create software, problem shoot as and when needs arise, process and store data, devise new and effective security methods and most exciting of all - develop new and innovative ways of using computers. Professionals in computer science have pushed the boundaries of science and technology to enter the fray of robotics and digital forensics - fields that had not even existed a few decades ago.
A computer science degree demands an aptitude for math and analytical thought. Students interested in a career in computer science should consider going for a BCS degree to qualify for jobs in this field. A good Bachelors degree in computer sciences will prepare students in implementing and designing software. Software development now entails new areas such as interface design, web development, and mobile computing. Once entrenched in the work force with enough practical work experience, a Masters degree in computer science can help improve job prospects and further your specialization in a particular field.
If your Bachelor of Computer Science degree pushes you towards a career in computer solutions, you would be applying all your theoretical knowledge towards solving computing issues and problems. This field would require a higher degree; even a Ph.D. and a research position in a developmental laboratory. If you choose to get into computer development, you have the option of getting into an entrepreneurial position and maybe even starting your own company that specializes in the same.
There are also a number of new careers that demand a CS degree such as web development, information technology, computing management, information security and database administration. Web development is the latest trend and almost every company today has a website. Web developers in turn create and maintain these sites using the latest technological know-how and marketing strategies. The communications industry has pushed the boundaries of information technology. Computer science graduates are now employed with mobile companies to develop faster and better ways of communicating. Many MBA graduates now also specialize in computers and programming. Employers are always on the lookout for those with multiple skills and training and career success is a given for these students. Database administrators are also in demand, as more and more companies require their services to effectively collect and interpret information that will help the company to strategize efforts and move forward. Another fast-growing prospect in this field is the subject of online security-predicted to play a strategic role in the future of computer technology. Information security comes into play with regard to online shopping, Internet banking and privacy management.
A computer science degree will therefore prepare you for a challenging career in a variety of jobs. Armed with a solid educational background, the choices are then up to you to make depending on your aptitude and interests.
California College San Diego (CCSD) has trained graduates for new careers in high demand jobs since 1978. This California College, located in San Diego, offers Associate, Bachelor and Graduate degrees in healthcare, business, computer and graphic arts. CCSD also provides accelerated degrees with its FastFlex option. In-demand college degree programs offered by CCSD are strictly accredited to meet the accreditation standards set by U.S. Dept. of Ed.
For students working toward technology degrees, the future employment outlook seems bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates fast employment growth within the industry. Some technology jobs might offer more opportunities than others.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes 12 wide-ranging categories for technology occupations, the Association for Computing Machinery notes. Within these categories can be several different careers for which students working toward technology degrees might train. Some of the greatest employment growth might be enjoyed by computer software engineers, network systems and data communications analysts, computer systems administrators and those involved with computer systems software and applications, information from the Bureau shows.
A student's choice of technology degrees at the bachelor's level might include anything from computer science to game art and design. Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia, Calif., alone offers bachelor degree programs in media arts & design with a choice of concentrations in graphic design, game art and design, visual effects and digital video, or multimedia arts and design. Mt. Sierra also offers information technology degrees with concentrations in telecommunications technology, information security, and computer information technology.
Westwood College, which has locations in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia, offers bachelor's degrees in game software development, major network management and more. Because the institution is considered a Cisco Networking Academy, students might gain skills that can ready them for becoming certified Cisco professionals.
An article in the March 2009 edition of Network World reported on the debate as to whether business or computer science skills were more important as far as the country's competitiveness. Students at some institutions might get the best of both worlds. At the Newport Business Institute in Lower Burrell, Pa., for example, students can work toward a bachelor's degree in business administration that emphasizes microcomputer applications or accounting and computer application. The Newport Business Institute also offers a degree in business information and technology software application and programming. Where the microcomputer applications program is designed to prepare students for careers as information and software specialists, systems operators, software consultants, data entry, computer sales and more, the accounting and computer application offering can prepare students for careers that include account managers, internal auditors, accounting payroll specialists, public, cost and tax accountants, according to the Newport Business Institute website.
Students at other institutions might instead opt for technology minors rather than technology degrees. Institutions such as West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W. Va., offer opportunities to major in computer science or computer information science, as well as to choose a computer science minor. Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn., offers computer information systems and management information systems minors.
Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also offers technology minors. Nova Southeastern's information technology minor according to the institution, can be combined with almost any major except for those such as computer information systems, computer science. With majors in these areas, students might find work in in-demand fields such as network and system administrators, computer engineers and more, information from the Nova Southeastern University web site shows.
Technology is considered one of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas of study, which educators and government officials have been encouraging. Students working toward technology degrees are likely to find an array of scholarships and grants that can help offset the cost of their college and university studies and reduce the amount of debt that they take on.
Like technology, computer science degree jobs are moving to the forefront of desirable options for career paths. The likelihood of tech students gravitating to online course programs is high as this is indeed their forte. Graduates will appreciate the convenience as these are fields where updating information via online education is lifelong.
Computer engineering, as the name suggests, is related to the engineering of your system hardware. It includes the designing of computer hardware and devices. It is derived from the science of computing such that it is the practical application of the computing science principles.It also includes some principles of electrical engineering. In short this engineering is based on the laws of computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics and physics.
The main subjects dealt in this engineering includes display engineering, multimedia computations, image and speech processing, networking, pattern recognition, computer perception and sensors, VLSI systems, robotics, computer architecture etc.
Display engineering deals with the display mechanisms of a system. Multimedia computing include the handling of all kinds of data like the textual data, sounds, voice or audio, still images, animated images, video and more. It involves encryption, coding and decoding etc. Image and speech processing methods are used to deal with the processing of multimedia in a secure way. Networking of computers is a vast field that takes care of all the networking operations such as assembling network units, establishing connections, configuring them, initiating communication and data transfer and so on. It also handles designing and implementation of vast distributed computing networks that includes LAN, MAN and WAN. Pattern recognition and computer sensors are used for information security. Robotics is a practical application of artificial intelligence. Very Large Scale Integrated systems are a study to design microelectronic devices. Architectures from these take care of the designing of hardware and software for optimal results.
Continuing with our computer engineering vs computer science, we are now going to move on to the science, which on the other hand is the study of methods, principles and laws for handling of information. It also lays the theories for designing and implementing them. The science subject leads to the subject of engineering.
The main subjects that come under computer science are artificial intelligence, computer architecture, software systems, numerical methods, algorithms, theory of computations, computer graphics, networking protocols, databases, operating systems, simulation and modeling, parallel computations and software engineering.
Artificial intelligence is an area that is concerned with the intelligent behavior in machines or software. Computer architecture explains the science behind the designing and construction of computer hardware and software for effective and efficient working. Software systems deal with programming languages, programming environments, operating systems, interpreters, compilers etc. Algorithms and theory of computations are used to develop programs that produce effective, efficient and optimal results and solve the computer problems. To conclude, we can say that the computer science is a subject that is mostly studied by scientists while on the other hand, computer engineering is a subject that is studied by the engineers.
Computer Engineering vs Computer Science is a really important area that requires a lot of attention to its details. So what ever attention you are after, make sure to take your time as much as possible. If for some reason you find that you personal computer is running freezing up or running slow, check out these great tips which will help you solve a very simple question: Why does my computer keep freezing up or running slow?
I started writing when I was about 12 years old, on my little journals, after so many years I still enjoy writing about all sorts of topics, related to computers, games, internet, IT, animals and many others. Writing is something I have great passion on doing it. The era of technology came by to make it more simple and more easy to get my writings done faster and looking way better as well. I hope you have enjoyed the above article as much as I did writing it.
If you are a classroom wizard when it comes to solving math problems, have been tinkering with the computer ever since you could spell "computer," or if your idea of a good Sunday afternoon is watching re-runs of Big Bang Theory or reading Dilbert, then you probably don't have to spend sleepless nights worrying about which college major to choose.
Congratulations, for you are probably a perfect match for a computer science degree!
And if you're wondering what you can do with a computer science degree, here are a few exciting careers that you might choose.
Software engineering: Computer software engineering is one of the more popular occupations among graduates of computer degree programs. Computer software engineers are responsible for designing and developing software that makes computers perform specific tasks. There are two main categories of computer software engineers-applications software engineers and systems software engineers. Since the use of computer applications is so widespread, software engineers can find employment in a variety of industries.
Programming: Although the terms "computer programming" and "software engineering" are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two roles. While software engineers design software, programmers convert that design into logical code that actually makes the software work. Programmers write programs using various programming languages like C#, C++,.NET, Java, etc. and are also responsible for repairing broken code and updating existing programs.
Network and system administration: These professionals design, install, and maintain an organization's computer systems. They are entrusted with the responsibility of deploying network hardware and software on employee systems; ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity; and troubleshooting problems whenever they arise.
Database administration: Database administrators, or DBAs, are responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, storage, and repair of an organization's databases. Their job is to ensure the optimum performance of the company's databases and design, as well as to implement improvement strategies. They work closely with systems administrators, software developers, and other technology staff of an organization.
Information security specialists: This is one of the most important IT jobs, given the increased threat from cyber-attacks that modern-age computer systems face. Computer security specialists, also known as information security specialists, have the crucial job of ensuring the security of an organization's information systems and preventing access by unauthorized and destructive forces. To protect their company's information systems, information security specialists install and monitor security software; train users on how to ensure their computer's security; spread awareness about the importance of maintaining systems security; and respond to security breaches.
Telecommunication specialists: These professionals are responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining audio, visual, or data communication systems. They are also responsible for diagnosing and repairing problems with communication equipment.
Web development: Web developers create web applications by using the various software languages and tools at their disposal. They may be responsible only for the back-end technical aspects of web development or can be involved with creating the front-end layout and design of a website. Web developers also maintain and enhance the performance of existing applications.
If any of the above careers sound exciting to you, then a computer science degree is just what the doctor ordered. Now that computer science degrees are available with a variety of academic emphases, such as programming and networking, you can get an even more focused education and be on your way to the possibility of a dream career!
California College San Diego (CCSD) has trained graduates for new careers since 1978. CCSD, located in San Diego, National City and San Marcos offers associates, associates of occupational studies, and bachelor's degrees in healthcare, business, and information technology, and master's degrees in healthcare and business. CCSD also provides college degree programs that can be completed in faster-than-traditional time with its FastFlex option.
