RIT and McAfee Inc. Partner to Launch RIT's Master's Program in Computer Security

McAfee Inc., (NYSE: MFE) the pioneer and worldwide leader of intrusion prevention solutions, has formed a partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology as the university launches a new master's program in computer security and information assurance.

McAfee has donated more than $1 million in next-generation intrusion prevention technology to RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS), one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive computing colleges.

Unlike other universities that offer programs in computer security, RIT's new master's degree is executed across multiple disciplines within the college, utilizing talent from all three of its departments—computer science, information technology, and software engineering.

McAfee's donation will help faculty develop curricula in computer and network security—offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students will receive hands-on learning in such courses as network security and forensics, wireless security, and computer system forensics. McAfee's solutions will also be integrated into the computer system security course in which undergraduate students must attack and attempt to infiltrate other students' computer systems.

“The college is thrilled about this collaboration with McAfee. Our new master's degree illustrates the breadth of programs that GCCIS offers its students,” says Jorge Díaz-Herrera, dean of GCCIS. “It's because of industry partners like McAfee, that recognize our strengths, that we can integrate top notch technology into our courses and prepare our students for careers in various fields like computer security and network security—areas that are so critical in today's unpredictable cyber world. We look forward to continuing to build on this partnership with McAfee.”

The hardware and software will be showcased in GCCIS' new security and forensics laboratory. The state-of-the-art facility offers students invaluable experiential learning and supports faculty research. And GCCIS plans to utilize the McAfee equipment for a future master's degree in network and system administration and the forthcoming Ph.D. program in computing and information sciences.

“With computer security attacks continuing to escalate in both frequency and complexity, it is essential to provide not only next-generation solutions, but top security talent to ensure that enterprise, government and consumer systems are protected,” says Kevin Weiss, executive vice president of worldwide field operations for McAfee Inc. “RIT is one of the leading technology universities and we are pleased to be working with them on this important initiative.”

McAfee has donated the following equipment: McAfee Intrushield 2600 ID Sensor, McAfee Intrushield Manager Software, McAfee Entercept Manager, McAfee Entercept Standard Edition for Servers, McAfee Entercept Desktop Edition, McAfee Active Virus Defense Suite and McAfee SpamKiller. The solutions provide intrusion prevention capabilities that not only detect, but block malicious code and vulnerabilities for both known and unknown attacks.

RIT is planning a McAfee Day for later this year as a way of celebrating this new partnership.

BACKGROUND: Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized as a leader in computing, engineering, imaging technology, fine and applied arts, and education of the deaf. More than 15,300 full- and part-time students are enrolled in RIT's 340 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

For well over a decade, U.S. News and World Report has ranked RIT among the nation's leading comprehensive universities. The Princeton Review recognizes RIT as one of America's “Most Wired Campuses,” and the university is also featured in The Fiske Guide to Colleges and Barron's Best Buys in Education.

McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., creates best-of-breed intrusion prevention and risk management solutions. McAfee's market-leading security products and services help large, medium and small businesses, government agencies and consumers prevent intrusions on networks and protect computer systems from critical threats.

Additionally, through the Foundstone Professional Services division, leading security consultants provide security expertise and best practices for organizations. For more information, McAfee Inc. can be reached at 972-963-8000 or on the Internet at www.mcafee.com.

McAfee and Foundstone are either registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee Inc. and/or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. The color red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks in this document are the sole property of their respective owners. © 2005 McAfee Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MEDIA NOTE: A representative from McAfee, Scott Lupfer, will be at RIT on Jan. 21. Lupfer will be part of a panel discussion on computer security in the Golisano auditorium from 1-2:30 p.m. Lupfer will be available for media interviews about the equipment donation. To set up an interview, call Paul Stella at 475-4950 or Gus Weber at 943-5349.