davidf@uk.ac.hw.cs (David.J.Ferbrache) (09/04/90)
Just a quick not to say that I am intending to submit a proposal under
the UK Department of Trade and Industry Advanced technology program to
establish a UK centre for virus research.
The proposal encompasses a range of problems related to computer
viruses, including:
o Provision of a central UK monitoring and reporting location
to which industry, commerce and academia can report new viruses
and seek general advice on anti-virus procedures and software
o Provision of a bulletin service (possibly by electronic as well as
conventional means) warning of new strains that have been detected,
and the likely activation dates for existing strains
o Service to the research community such as work on disassembling
new strains, tracking developments in camouflage techniques, assessment
of vulnerability of new OS and software environments to viral attack.
o Liason with commercial organisations and government organisations
working in the field, including the provision of a point of contact for
foreign agencies.
The centre would also attempt to raise the level of awareness of the
virus problem through seminars, conferences and other means. It is
likely that the brief would also include acting as a reporting and
co-ordination centre for worms active on wide area networks.
The proposal will be for 3 years funding centred at two Universities
in Lowland Scotland (Stirling and Heriot-Watt). At this stage I am
interested in compiling a list of organisations who would be
interested in the establishment of such a centre, and would co-operate
in the exchange of information with the centre.
A meeting is scheduled for September 11th with the DTI, thus an early
response would be appreciated.
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Dave Ferbrache Internet <davidf@cs.hw.ac.uk>
Dept of computer science Janet <davidf@uk.ac.hw.cs>
Heriot-Watt University UUCP ..!mcvax!hwcs!davidf
79 Grassmarket Telephone +44 31-225-6465 ext 538
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Facsimile +44 31-220-4277
EH1 2HJ
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