Security & Computing
Mobile phone foetal heart monitor developed by ECU researchers
A successful trial at a Perth hospital has provided hope for on-the-go, mobile heart monitoring for pregnant women living in regional areas of Australia.Developed by ECU Security and Computing researchers, the system allows doctors to monitor the heart rate of unborn babies through the use of an inexpensive portable monitor that connects to the microphone jack of the expectant mother's mobile phone. The heartbeat is displayed on the phone and the information is then automatically sent to a midwife or doctor via email for evaluation.
World-class Facilities
Our computer and security science labs have the latest equipment and facilities for the conduct of traditional computer science and IT degrees.
Several specialist labs can also be found for networking, games programming and simulation, computer security and digital forensics.ECU's Security research centre named ACS Centre of Excellence
Our secau Security Research Centre has been announced as one of the first Australian Computer Society (ACS) Centres of Excellence.
secau allows students in the broad security discipline to participate in cross-disciplinary research projects with various areas within ECU, including engineering, information and computer science, psychology and law and justice. This collaboration increases the likelihood of discovering and tackling the key security questions that lie ahead, and encourages students to take a broader, more open-minded perspective to security issues.
secau is already working on significant projects with a number of key partners, including State and Federal agencies and Emirates Airlines.
Leading edge research
The Security Research Centre (SRC) was formed to integrate existing security research at ECU initially focused on physical and digital security.
ECU is well placed to provide multi-disciplinary security science research with significant expertise in the domains of physical and digital security together with expertise in the disciplines of law, psychology, biology, engineering, medicine and emergency management.
This ensures research capacity for issues as diverse as counter-terrorism, critical infrastructure, aviation and border security, security technology, human factors and security education.
Specialist facilities
Our Computer Security students have access to laboratory facilities contain the latest equipment and include general teaching labs, general purpose labs as well as specialist lab facilities in the following areas of study:
The recently developed Unified Communications Laboratory, utilising CISCO and Nortel equipment, is testament to our commitment to providing leading edge IT curriculum and equipment.
Working with industry
Our Computer & Security Science disciplines have strong relationships with industry partners, with staff working in conjunction with partners to ensure that student projects are relevant and their work assists the greater community.
"I've always had a very keen interest in computer and network security"
"After completing my honours degree at ECU, I decided to undertake higher level research in digital forensics - and discovered ECU was the only university to have the high-end resources readily available to assist with such studies. So, my study experience at ECU has been, in a word, exceptional. The staff have always been extremely helpful and I even managed to receive a large ECU scholarship, which was very welcome indeed."
Patryk Szewczyck
Security and Computing PhD student
ECU researcher wins award for Terrorism research
Dr Simon O'Rourke, terrorism researcher from secau, ECU's Security Research Centre, has received national recognition, winning the 2011 Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers (AIPIO) Publications Award and having his research published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal.
His paper explored the challenges experienced by law enforcement agencies in the face of ever-changing terrorism tactics and highlights that few agencies are currently geared to deal with the sheer scope of an event involving sustained multiple attacks by trained terrorists.
Computer & Security Science researchers win International Microsoft Research Grant
Computer & Security Science academics, Dr Alfred Tan and Dr Martin Masek, were recently awarded a grant of US$100,000 from Microsoft Research for their successful proposal for foetal heart rate and activity monitoring using mobile smart phones.
This grant will assist in the development of a mobile smart phone-based foetal heart rate and activity monitoring system which can be freely downloaded onto any Microsoft Mobile™ based smart phone.
The success of this project would assist expectant mothers in remote communities and has the potential to significantly reduce the number of pre-term births. Studies have identified that increased access to antenatal care among remote communities leads to significantly fewer pre-term births - a significant part of a quality antenatal care program includes ultrasound scans and the monitoring of the foetal heart rate. Whilst this monitoring cannot prevent a problem pregnancy, it can alert an obstetrician or midwife to early warning signs.
Information Computer Technology Sector factoring in economic growth
According to the Australian Computer Society as technology becomes ever more entrenched in our modern lifestyle the information and communication technology (ICT) sector is playing an increasing role in driving economic growth and prosperity, accounting for 4.6% of GDP and 13.8% of total investment in Australia.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), ICT makes a greater contribution to the economy than agriculture, forestry and fishing, defence and education.
It is no surprise then that the ICT sector is a fast growing industry providing many positions in multiple areas of IT specialisations.