'Curious Conversations' podcast: Christine Julien talks about Internet of Things safety during the holiday season
Christine Julien joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the Internet of Things (IOT), exploring its definition, potential vulnerabilities, and the implications of using smart devices, especially for children. Julien stressed the importance of security and privacy when using IOT devices, particularly during the gift-giving season and shared insights on navigating these complexities with an aim of balancing the enjoyment and security.
About Julien
Julien is head of the Department of Computer Science in Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering. Her research has focused on engineering software that supports a range of smart devices and environments. This includes the use of advanced networking technologies to provide opportunities for children to move independently around their neighborhoods while staying safe through remote connections to parents and guardians and improved sensing and networking for the Internet of Things.
Takeaways
The Internet of Things is a phrase that encompasses the growing trend of connecting everyday objects to the internet. This can lead to privacy concerns and pose significant security vulnerabilities.
Strong passwords are essential for device security, and connecting critical devices and fun devices to separate channels of a network can also increase security.
Understanding data collection is vital for privacy and Julien said language learning models, such as ChatGPT, can be helpful in summarizing lengthy product agreement forms in order to gain that knowledge.
Learn more
Christine Julien appointed head of the Department of Computer Science
About the podcast
"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.
