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U.S. Army makes cyber-security code open to the public - kids encouraged?

Catwell

If you’re familiar with GitHub, you’ll probably be surprised to discover that the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has started using it to enhance international cyber-security with the help of coders around the world. If you don’t have upholding the cyber security of the U.S. government listed on your resume, now is your chance.

 

The initiative began in mid-December and sought to employ the collective coding skills and security strategies of the best coders around. Since the code, called Dshell, was uploaded on GitHub, it has been reviewed by over 2,000 parties from 18 countries, and ARL leaders are hoping the numbers will continue to grow. ARL Network Security Branch Chief William Glodek said the national organization has already established an open-source branch and hopes that within the next six months, the international community can help enhance its digital forensic analyses.

 

The Dshell code is a forensic analysis code the ARL has been using for the past five years. It is the main framework with which the research lab goes about securing the Department of Defense network. Glodek said the initiative to open the code to the international digital community aims to result in the improvement of the framework in a way that wouldn’t be possible without the brainpower of multiple minds. Glodek believes having a multilateral approach from professionals from academia and industry will result in an advanced code that keeps U.S. digital interests safe. But the ARL isn’t the only organization calling upon the next generation of coders.

 

image

Interface of BBC’s Dr. Who and the Dalek game (via app store)

 

As coding is becoming more and more important in today’s world, a number of computer games for kids (and us slower adults) have begun to emerge. Among them is BBC’s Dr. Who and the Dalek, formerly a computer game that teaches kids and Dr. Who enthusiasts basic coding while defending our galaxy. BBC recently announced that its program, which is only available to UK residents unfortunately, is now available for tablets and mobile devices too. Now we can protect the universe on the go. The bigger question, however, is why.

 

As the next generation matures and becomes fluent in the language of coding, it is worth questioning if we will see national security take a digital turn? As the ARL opens its technologies for preventing cyberattacks against our governmental institutions to the world, it can be wondered if national security will not only become digital, but also a collaborative initiative from kid coders and international U.S. enthusiasts alike. With rumors of cyberattacks in Russia during the Olympics, can we expect the next cold war to be fought from the comfort of our digital devices? Time will only tell. Until then, be on the lookout for the Daleks. And when we say run… run

 

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