Experts have thrown around their opinions regarding technology-centred handshake mechanisms as the weapon to combat the COVID-19. This approach requires mass, voluntary, adoption by the 3 billion smartphone users. The memories of famous cyber-attacks and data breaches through fully automated digital solutions cause anxiety amongst the public. Whose views should we trust? The simple answer is ourselves – each person should understand the risks and make an informed decision.
Join Associate Professor Muthukkumarasamy, Muthu, as he examines how contact tracing Apps operate, the personal data they collect, and how it is used. In particular, he unpacks the COVIDSafe App and evaluates what controls users have and the privacy trade-offs. Muthu also compares the Australian App with other solutions around the world, and scrutinise the balance as a tool to rebuild the economy whilst keeping the population as safe as possible.
Associate Professor Vallipuram Muthukkumarasamy
Muthu obtained B.Sc. Eng. with 1st Class Hons. from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and obtained a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. He has pioneered Network Security teaching in the School of Information and Communication Technology and leads the Networking & Security Research Group at the Institute for Integrated and Intelligent Systems.
Muthu has been successful in attracting national and international funding for his inter-disciplinary research activities. He has published over 150 articles in international journals and conferences.
He successfully proposed and led the development of the first Master of Cyber Security Program in Queensland. Muthu is a well respected among students and has received a number of teaching awards. He is a Member of the Council, Griffith University and is also actively involved in community and charity activities.
Start your career in cybersecurity
In line with the Australian Government’s initiative to support workers who have been displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffith has developed short, focused, online certificate programs that can be completed by 1 December, 2020. This initiative is a unique opportunity to support workers looking to upskill for the future.
If you complete four courses (subjects) you will be awarded a Graduate Certificate qualification that will be easily recognisable to employers on its own, or you can use it as a pathway to a masters degree. As a Griffith student, you will also have the additional benefit of being awarded a digital badge for each course (subject) you complete so your accomplishments can be displayed, accessed, verified and shared online to employers.
