Computer Sciences Commons^™

Development Of An Automated And Integrated Budgeting System, Sarah E. Bury

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Alpine Health currently uses Microsoft Excel to produce consolidated budget statements each year. These Excel templates have become extremely cumbersome to the accounting department since they must cut and paste all of the templates (over 20) into a "master" schedule that consolidates the reports into a view that the executives make decisions from. Often times these templates are too large to email back and forth. They are hard to track since several versions of the same budget are sent during the process. Each time a new entity or hospital is added, the accounting department must update several different tabs on …

No Free Lunch, Bayesian Inference, And Utility: A Decision-Theoretic Approach To Optimization, Christopher Kenneth Monson

Theses and Dissertations

Existing approaches to continuous optimization are essentially mechanisms for deciding which locations should be sampled in order to obtain information about a target function's global optimum. These methods, while often effective in particular domains, generally base their decisions on heuristics developed in consideration of ill-defined desiderata rather than on explicitly defined goals or models of the available information that may be used to achieve them. The problem of numerical optimization is essentially one of deciding what information to gather, then using that information to infer the location of the global optimum. That being the case, it makes sense to model …

Tooling Data Collection System, Judith S. Brown

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This paper provides supporting documentation for the development and implementation of a Tooling Data Collection System. The project replaced a primitive Microsoft Excel log sheet. The original workstation for the data acquisition was a standalone system with limited access to the corporate network information and engineering resources. The need for a system revision and upgrade escalated due to the increasing prices of raw materials for component stamping. Refining this process to minimize the scrap generated was the main objective of the Tooling Data Collection System. The intent was for the information to provide the engineers with a mechanism to reduce …

The All Squirrel Band, Gennetta E. Lovelady

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Business Problem Science is a crucial part of our educational curriculum. It has become vitally important for children to be introduced to science at an earlier age to insure their interest is cultivated throughout the rest of their education. The dilemma is finding interesting ways to engage grade school aged children in learning about science. Technical Solution "The All Squirrel Band" is a web based phrase completion game hosted by a rock band made up entirely of squirrels. The object of the game is to collect enough "nuts" for the band to go on tour this winter. Each "nut" represents …

Twenty-First Century Ticketing, Ron E. Hamilton

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

There has been a dramatic increase in show ticket sales on the Internet from 1999 to 2006. This shift has enabled box offices to step away from traditional means of distribution. In many cases, the ticketing system was tied to distribution. If a box office wanted to change ticketing systems, they would lose their distribution channels. Increased Internet sales have fueled the rise of independent ticket sellers as well as new ticketing software companies. AnyShowTicket.com is a ticket broker that has captured the market for selling show tickets for third-party venues in its city. They handle Internet and call center …

The Sox Compliant Sap Security Implementation, Michael Candelaria

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The reality of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, is that it is among the most visible and farreaching regulations that organizations face today. Failure to comply can result in significant loss of market capitalization and shareholder trust, as well as criminal liability for corporate executives. In this thesis the author focused on the implementation of SAP security software including the development of several ongoing production environments that will have a formalized security strategy to achieve SOX compliance. Spacely Chemicals, just as many other SAP customers understands the importance of SOX compliance. In the past Spacely Chemicals has not implemented the appropriate policies …

Development Of A Student Business Application Database, De'tishaa Johnson

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

ONYX ONE is a nonprofit organization that provides under-privileged youth under the age of 18 and underserved communities exposure to computer and technology training that would otherwise not have the ability to gain such knowledge. In addition to class based learning, other resources are available to the students, such as, computer lab time. Currently, the company tracks much of their business transactions through Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. Excel has a limitation on the number of records that can be stored in a worksheet, thereby increasing the number of worksheets created, the location of storage, and minimizing business productivity. Due …

The Automation Of Obtaining Customer Billing Data, Jonathan Seashore

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

XYZ Telecom received bi-monthly customer PDF billing data (identical to the paper customer invoices) from the print vendor Gilmore, Inc via CD media shipped by FedEx. Upon receipt, this data would then be posted to the CD/DVD media server through a manual entry process. The Billing Disputes Team often required immediate access to this data to deal with customer inquiries for telephone dispute calls regarding current or previous billing periods. Through the use of a dedicated VPN connection, VBScript and Windows Server technology an automated solution was put into place which ultimately saved XYZ Telecom approximately 20 hours of IT …

Developing A Methodology For Creating Flexible Instructional Information Technology Laboratories, Daniel J. Ziesmer

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Many schools - particularly the more dynamic segments of high schools and community colleges - have begun to undertake instruction in the areas of PC repair, networking (vendor-neutral and specific alike), operating systems, wireless technologies, and so forth. For some schools, however, this leap forward has come only with a later realization that there are tremendous startup costs and ongoing expenses associated with such endeavors, especially considering that many of these instructional elements have historically called for independent instructional facilities. From this perspective, institutions may find they have to cut their programmatic vision short in the face of harsher budgetary …

Paper Session V: Steganography And Terrorist Communications - Current Information And Trends - Tools, Analysis And Future Directions In Steganalysis In Context With Terrorists And Other Criminals, William Eyre, Marcus Rogers

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

In ancient times, users communicated using steganography, “…derived from the Greek words steganos, meaning ‘covered’, and graphein, meaning ‘to write.’” (Singh, 1999, p.5) Steganography facilitates secret, undetected communication. In modern times, in the context of the Global War on Terror, national intelligence and law enforcement agencies need tools to detect hidden information (steganography) in various types of media, most specifically to uncover the placement of hidden information in images. This paper will look at steganography in general terms, presenting the theory of some common steganographic techniques and touching on some theoretical work in steganography. Then a discussion of how to …

Unsupervised Learning To Improve Anomaly Detection, Daniel H. Garrette '06

Honors Projects

An intrusion detection system (IDS) is used to determine when a computer or computer network is under attack. Most contemporary IDSs operate by defining what an intrusion looks like and checking traffic for matching patterns in network traffic. This approach has unavoidable limitations including the inability to detect novel attacks and the maintenance of a rule bank that must grow with every new intrusion discovered. An anomaly detection scheme attempts to define what is normal so that abnormal traffic can be distinguished from it. This thesis explores the ways that an unsupervised technique called "clustering" can be used to distinguish …

Paper Session V: Forensic Software Tools For Cell Phone Subscriber Identity Modules, Wayne Jansen, Rick Ayers

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Cell phones and other handheld devices incorporating cell phone capabilities (e.g., smart phones) are ubiquitous. Besides placing calls, cell phones allow users to perform other tasks such as text messaging and phonebook entry management. When cell phones and cellular devices are involved in a crime or other incident, forensic specialists require tools that allow the proper retrieval and speedy examination of data present on the device. For devices conforming to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards, certain data such as dialed numbers, text messages, and phonebook entries are maintained on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). This paper gives …

Database Creation And Implementation Using Open Source Software, Shelby Patru

Honors Theses

This project is designed to investigate the use of open source software and utilize this software to create a database for GNP Acoustical. This honors thesis will focus on the history of open source software, the pros and cons of using this software, a brief look at open source vs. proprietary software, the open source maturity model and the specifics of major software packages in the open source field that could be used to complete this project. Open source software was chosen as the subject for this project because of its increasing popularity among worldwide corporations.

This project was going …

Paper Session Iv: Development And Delivery Of Coursework - The Legal/Regulatory/Policy Environment Of Cyberforensics, John W. Bagby, John C. Ruhnka

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

This paper describes a cyber-forensics course that integrates important public policy and legal issues as well as relevant forensic techniques. Cyber-forensics refers to the amalgam of multi-disciplinary activities involved in the identification, gathering, handling, custody, use and security of electronic files and records, involving expertise from the forensic domain, and which produces evidence useful in the proof of facts for both commercial and legal activities. The legal and regulatory environment in which electronic discovery takes place is of critical importance to cyber-forensics experts because the legal process imposes both constraints and opportunities for the effective use of evidence gathered through …

Paper Session Iv: Toward Understanding Digital Forensics As A Profession: Defining Curricular Needs (***Research In Process ***), Michelle Wolf, Alan Shafer, Michael Gendron

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

This research paper presents research in process which attempts to define the common body of knowledge (CBK) of digital forensics. Digital forensics is not well defined not does it have a generally accepted CBK. The first three phases of completed research, in a four-phase research process are discussed. The early results have created a preliminary CBK, and final validation is underway.

Paper Session Iii: Research Brief: A Curriculum For Teaching Information Technology Investigative Techniques For Auditors, Grover S. Kearns, Elizabeth V. Mulig

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Recent prosecutions of highly publicized white-collar crimes combined with public outrage have resulted in heightened regulation and greater emphasis on systems of internal control. Because both white-collar and cybercrimes are usually perpetrated through computers, auditors’ knowledge of information technology (IT) is now more vital than ever. However, preserving digital evidence and investigative techniques, which can be essential to fraud examinations, are not skills frequently taught in accounting programs. Furthermore, many students are not instructed in the use of computer assisted auditing tools and techniques – applications that might uncover fraudulent activity. Only a limited number of university-level accounting classes provide …

Strategic Planning And Tactical Operations Framework Design And Implementation, Kenneth R. Houghtling

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

No abstract provided.

The Implementation Of Time Management Solution, Robert M. Katz

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project proposes a technical solution that will improve the time tracking capabilities of the software department at Diagnostic Product Corporation (DPC). Currently, each developer submits ad-hoc monthly reports indicating how he or she spends their time. This is problematic for management since there is no standard methodology for recording time spent by each developer. Also, there is not a central repository for collecting this data, resulting in management not being able to accurately interpret how the staff is used from project to project. The goal of this project is the development of an application utilizing a networked database that …

Paper Session Ii: Forensic Scene Documentation Using Mobile Technology, Ibrahim Baggili

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

This paper outlines a framework for integrating forensic scene documentation with mobile technology. Currently there are no set standards for documenting a forensic scene. Nonetheless, there is a conceptual framework that forensic scientists and engineers use that includes note taking, scene sketches, photographs, video, and voice interview recordings. This conceptual framework will be the basis that a mobile forensic scene documentation software system is built on. A mobile software system for documenting a forensic scene may help in standardizing forensic scene documentation by regulating the data collection and documentation processes for various forensic disciplines.

On The Influence Of Test-Driven Development On Software Design, David S. Janzen, Hossein Saiedian

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Test-driven development (TDD) is an agile software development strategy that addresses both design and testing. This paper describes a controlled experiment that examines the effects of TDD on internal software design quality. The experiment was conducted with undergraduate students in a software engineering course. Students in three groups completed semester-long programming projects using either an iterative Test-First (TDD), iterative Test-Last, or linear Test-Last approach. Results from this study indicate that TDD can be an effective software design approach improving both code-centric aspects such as object decomposition, test coverage, and external quality, and developer-centric aspects including productivity and confidence. In addition, …

Recommendation For An E-Commerce Implementation For A Small Business, Kelly A. Harr

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Small Business E-Commerce Solution With the prevalence of the Internet it is important for many small businesses to have a Web presence to remain competitive. For this professional project the author has researched and proposed what it would take to put together an end-to-end E-commerce solution for a small local fly-fishing company in Boulder, Colorado and made a recommendation for implementation. This included researching what was available both open source and commercially for each of the E-commerce web site components, studying the business needs, and making a recommendation for implementation. This allowed the author to pull together what has been …

Clustering Of Database Query Results, Kristine Jean Daniels

Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly more users are accessing database systems for interactive and exploratory data retrieval. While performing searches on these systems, users are required to use broad queries to get their desired results. Broad queries often result in too many items forcing the user to spend unnecessary time sifting through these items to find the relevant results. This problem, of finding a desired data item within many items, is referred to as "information overload". Most users experience information overload when viewing these database query results. This thesis shows that users information overload can be reduced by clustering database query results. …

On Conway's Generalization Of The 3x + 1 Problem, Robin M. Givens

Honors Theses

This thesis considers a variation of the 3x+1, or Collatz, Problem involving a function we call the Conway function. The Conway function is defined by letting C3(n)=2k for n=3k and C3(n)=4k±1 for n=3k±1, where n is an integer. The iterates of this function generate a few 'short' cycles, but the s' tructural dynamics are otherwise unknown. We investigate properties of the Conway function and other related functions. We also discuss the possibility of using the Conway function to generate keys for cryptographic use based on a fast, efficient binary implemenation of the function. Questions related to the conjectured tree-like structure …

Development Of A Race Simulation To Be Used With Treadmills And Exercise Bikes, J. Rodney Dolen

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. has become one of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment. This company now includes many popular fitness equipment manufacturers like Weider, Weslo, HealthRider, and NordicTrack through various acquisitions and launches of new lines. In 2005, it is projected four million units of fitness equipment will be manufactured by the company (ICON). With the popularity of treadmills and exercise bikes, ICON Health & Fitness added the capability to download exercise programs using its iFit© technology. This allows an audio cable to be plugged into the equipment from a PC and utilizes sound waves to control a …

Carving Differential Unit Test Cases From System Test Cases, Sebastian Elbaum, Hui Nee Chin, Matthew B. Dwyer, Jonathan Dokulil

School of Computing: Technical Reports

Unit test cases are focused and efficient. System tests are effective at exercising complex usage patterns. Differential unit tests (DUT) are a hybrid of unit and system tests. They are generated by carving the system components, while executing a system test case, that influence the behavior of the target unit, and then re-assembling those components so that the unit can be exercised as it was by the system test. We conjecture that DUTs retain some of the advantages of unit tests, can be automatically and inexpensively generated, and have the potential for revealing faults related to intricate system executions. In …

Sofya: A Flexible Framework For Development Of Dynamic Program Analyses For Java Software, Alex Kinneer, Matthew B. Dwyer, Gregg Rothermel

School of Computing: Technical Reports

Dynamic analysis techniques are well established in the software engineering community as methods for validating, understanding, maintaining, and improving programs. Generally, this class of techniques requires developers to instrument programs to generate events that capture, or observe, relevant features of program execution. Streams of these events are then processed to achieve the goals of the dynamic analysis. The lack of high-level tools for defining program observations, automating their mapping to efficient low-level implementations, and supporting the flexible combination of different event-stream-based processing components hampers the development and evaluation of new dynamic analysis techniques. For example, mapping non-trivial program observations to …

Voice Over Ip: Forensic Computing Implications, Matthew Simon, Jill Slay

Australian Digital Forensics Conference

The issues faced by law enforcement authorities concerning VoIP are very different from that of traditional telephony. VoIP provides strong encryption and a decentralised databased network. Wiretapping is not applicable to VoIP calls and packet capturing is negated by encryption. New methods are required to collect evidence from systems running VoIP software. This paper presents work in progress and, based on a literature review of the field, explores a methodology that may be used to advance this research area.

Personal Firewalls - Testing Robustness, Patryk Szewczyk, Craig Valli

Australian Digital Forensics Conference

Consumers require personal firewalls that are highly secure, easy to use, configurable and uptodate with the latest signatures to detect malicious network activity. Robustness tests were performed on a selection of the ten most popular firewalls by market share. The test system used was a vanilla installation of Windows XP with SP2 and all the most recent updates and patches. Each firewall was installed with its default configuration following the didactic instructions given by the firewall. The investigation was carried out by performing an installation, penetration, performance and update test. A third party bitTorrent application was also installed mimicking a …

Considerations On Deception Techniques Used In Political And Product Marketing, Carlo Kopp

Australian Information Warfare and Security Conference

This paper explores three deception techniques which are widely used in political and product marketing. These techniques are ‘deception by omission’, ‘deception by saturation’ and the use of ‘deception by spin’. These techniques are newly analysed in the framework of the four canonical strategies of Information Warfare and Shannon’s capacity and entropy theorems, and their respective strengths and weaknesses established. Specific strategies for the defeat of these deception techniques are discussed.

2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Abstract Book, University Of Missouri--Rolla

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

No abstract provided.