Cyber Security: Experiments and Advances

LSE: EPITA Security & Systems Laboratory

Founded in 1999, the LSE is a special research laboratory for professors-researchers and EPITA students who wish to learn more about and specialize in cyber security and operating systems.

Digital Security and Operating Systems

The LSE creates a link between the technological experience and strength that have built EPITA’s reputation: an experimental approach with a focus on applied research and professionalism rooted in the modern challenges linked to new technologies.  In this framework, the LSE is at the heart of the partnership between EPITA and O.C.L.C.T.I.C. (Central Office for the Fight Against Crime Linked to Information Technology and Communication) and develops research tools for digital evidence, in collaboration with police teams.

The vocation of the LSE research laboratory is expressed in its operating systems development activities. Since its inception, the LSE has been the cradle of several “kernel” (the core of a computer’s operating system) experiments.

System-oriented programming language

The LSE is currently working on a prototype for a system-oriented programming language (the “C!” project) that aims to introduce more modern elements (such as object-oriented programming) into system programming, often difficult to do in this context.

Comparison and classification of malware

There are so many malware (malicious software) files and programs that conducting manual analyses has become very difficult, if not impossible. The LSE, in partnership with SEKOIA, has received financing from the DGA/mi for the VIRALSTUDIO project that aims at developing efficient algorithms to analyze, compare and classify malware on a very large scale.

Machine learning

Moreover, the LSE is developing machine learning activities, for both security and voice biometrics. The goal is to develop expertise in machine learning applications, Bayesian inference and neural networks (DNN).

Visibility

Participation in security contests

Although as a security laboratory it was initially very discrete, the LSE has progressively opened up. The students working in the laboratory regularly participate in security competitions where they boast very good results: “la nuit du hack 2012” in which the LSE team qualified for the finals and came in 3rd, GREYHACK (1st place and 3rd place – two participations), and 1st at the first CTF by STERIA in 2013, in which the team also took away first prize.

Organization of conferences

Since July 2011, the LSE organizes a week of conferences and “LSE Week ” every July run by the students, with a focus on the projects they have been working on all year or subjects related to their activities in the laboratory.