Open Theses Topics
I am currently offering thesis topics within, but not limited to, the following areas:
- network covert channels / network steganography / network information hiding
- Implementation and evaluation of selected countermeasures for network covert channels.
- security of smart buildings / Internet of Things (IoT) / smart cities
- design and implementation of extensions for selected open source software projects
- topics under the umbrella of my funded projects
All mentioned topics require either network-level programming skills, knowledge of network protocols and/or skills in information security. In general, I support the open source publication of developed code (under the condition of a good code quality). As shown below (indicated by *), I support the publication of scientific results. Moreover, I encourage my students to give public talks about their work. Excellent written and oral communication in the English language, coupled with relevant skills in the chosen research field are considered a strong advantage. Plagiarism results in the rejection of a thesis.
As a researcher who encourages collaboration, progress and originality, I prefer not to sign any NDAs. I strongly encourage my potential students to gain valuable experience in researching and presenting their original work.
As a researcher who encourages collaboration, progress and originality, I prefer not to sign any NDAs. I strongly encourage my potential students to gain valuable experience in researching and presenting their original work.
Supervised Research-oriented Theses
I have mentored these excellent students in the role of major supervisor for the following theses.
Outstanding Students
While the works of several students have led to peer-reviewed publications, the following students provided above-average scientific contributions.
- P. Backs: Automatisches Routing in einem Mikroprotokoll für Covert-Channel Netze, Master's thesis, University of Hagen, 2011/12.* (international workshop paper; first author)
- J. Kaur: Countering Covert Channel-internal Control Protocols with Covert Channel-internal Control Protocols, Master's thesis, University of Bonn, 2014.* (award-winning international workshop paper + paper in ranked international journal; first author each)
- E. Anhaus: Data Leakage Protection für Gebäude, Bachelor's thesis, University of Hagen, 2014.* (national workshop paper; first author)
- M. Naumann: Kontrollprotokolle für steganografische Kanäle, Master's thesis, University of Hagen, 2013/2014.* (paper in ranked international journal; first author)
Other Mentionable Theses (in reverse chronological order)
- F. Link: Ein Vorgehensmodell zur forensischen Detektion der Verwendung von Netzwerksteganographie, Bachelor's thesis, Worms University of Applied Sciences, 2017.
- Dr. G. Hodina: Design and Evaluation of a Framework for Information Hiding Patterns, Master's thesis, University of Hagen, 2016/17.
- E. Taktakidze: Slope as visual encoding feature for building automation sensor data visualization, Master's thesis, University of Bonn, 2016.
- D. Balzien: Implementierung einer Covert Channel Detektionsbibliothek auf Basis des Netzwerk Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems SNORT, Master's thesis, University of Hagen, 2015/16.
- P. Schuster: Abwehrmechanismen gegen verdeckte Kanäle -- protokollunabhängig und musterpasiert, Bachelor's thesis, University of Hagen, 2015/16.
- M. von W.-M.: Design and evaluation of a BACnet testbed using a network simulator, Master's thesis, University of Hagen, 2015.
- H. Härpfer: Implementierung eines Snort Normalizers für den BACnet/IP Network-Layer, Bachelor's thesis, University of Hagen, 2014.
- A. Tost: Analyse der Normalisierungsmöglichkeiten im Kontext von Safety-Funktionen im BACnet, Bachelor's thesis, University of Hagen, 2013/2014.
- M. Weg: Implementierung eines Active Wardens für BACnet, Bachelor's thesis, University of Hagen, 2013/2014.
- R. Wirth: Usability-Ansätze für Forensik in der Gebäudeautomation, Bachelor's thesis, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, 2013.* (international conference poster)
- B. Kahler: Das anonyme Netzwerk TOR und versteckte Kommunikation, Bachelor's thesis, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, 2011/12.
COINS Summer School 2018
I will contribute one or two lectures on my covert channel research to the COINS PhD summer school on Lesvos.
Worms University of Applied Sciences
In Worms, I teach the following courses, some only in winter and some only in summer term: Cryptography, Security and Privacy in the Internet of Things, Network Security, Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Machine Learning (taking care of 25% of the course), MSc Seminar II. In particular, I teach/taught:
- summer term 2018:
- Network Security, Bachelor CompSc
- Machine Learning (25%), Bachelor CompSc
- Operating Systems, Bachelor CompSc
- Computer Networks, Bachelor Business Informatics
- winter term 2017/18:
- Security and Privacy in the Internet of Things, Master Mobile Comp.
- Cryptography (Kryptographie), Bachelor CS
- Operating Systems (BSK), Bachelor CS
- Computer Networks (Rechnernetze), Bachelor Business Informatics
- summer term 2017:
- Master Seminar II, Adv. Topics of Information Security, Master Mobile Comp.
- Network Security (Netzwerksicherheit), Bachelor CS
- Operating Systems (Betriebssystemkomponenten) , Bachelor CS
- Computer Networks (Rechnernetze), Bachelor Business Informatics
- winter term 2016/17:
- Operating Systems (Betriebssystemkomponenten), Bachelor CS
- Computer Networks (Rechnernetze), Bachelor Business Informatics
- Cryptography (Kryptographie), Bachelor CS
University of Bonn
- summer term 2016:
- contributing lectures on selected topics of IT security at a M.Sc. level course
- summer term 2015:
- supervising a master lab [related to network information hiding]
- contributing lectures on selected topics of IT security at a M.Sc. level course
- winter term 2014/15:
- supervising a master lab [security-related event visualization of building automation environments]
- summer term 2014:
- supervising a master seminar student [information hiding research]
Courses and Supervised Projects at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences
- summer term 2014
- "Data Communication" course
- winter term 2013/14
- teaching 'Tunneling, Network Steganography and Covert Channels'
- summer term 2013
- (co-)mentoring of four project groups in computer science
- Informationssystem für sicherheitskritische Komponenten
- Sicherer Remote-Zugriff auf Automationsanlagen
- Weiterentwicklung der Wetterstation der HS Augsburg 1: User Interface
- Weiterentwicklung der Wetterstation der HS Augsburg 2: Systemerweiterung
- teaching 50% of the course "Data Communication"
- Supervision of one BSc thesis
- (co-)mentoring of four project groups in computer science
- winter term 2012/13
- Teaching CS fundamentals in the context of the "Startklar" course
- summer term 2012
- teaching 50% of the course "Data Communication"
- (co-)mentoring of 2 CS student project groups
- Planungs- und Simulationswerkzeug für virtuelle Kraftwerke
- Sichere Middleware zur Automatisierten Gebäudesteuerung
- supvervising different theses
- leading the HSASec "building automation security" sub-group
- April 2012: Linux-Einsteigerkurs für Studentinnen, Frauenbüro der Hochschule Augsburg.
- winter term 2011/12
- supervising two theses
- summer term 2011
- teaching 60% of the course "Data Communication" (standing in for Prof. Dr. Rohrmair)
- co-mentoring of 2 student project groups for the IT4SE research project
- Entwicklung einer web-basierten eMetering Infrastruktur für private Wohneinheiten
- Entwicklung eines interaktiven Micro-Grid Simulators
- co-mentoring "Umweltinformatik" (environmental computer science), Prof. Dr. Scholz.
- April 2011: Linux-Aufbaukurs für Studentinnen (Grundlagen der Administration), Frauenbüro der Hochschule Augsburg.
- winter term 2010/11:
- November 2010: Linux-Einsteigerkurs für Studentinnen, Frauenbüro der Hochschule Augsburg.
