Xinming (Simon) Ou

I do research in computer security, especially the application of formal logical techniques in security analysis of complex systems. My current research focuses on enterprise network security defense, including automated security management, intrusion detection/response, and security metrics. I am the designer of MulVAL, a logic-based network security analyzer. If you are interested in MulVAL, you can take a look at my Ph.D. dissertation, and the MulVAL project at K-State.

I direct research for Argus, the cybersecurity research group at Kansas State University. I am also a member of the Center for Information and Systems Assurance (CISA) at Kansas State University. I am always looking for dedicated students who are interested in solving real-world cybersecurity problems. The best way to join my research group is through taking the security course CIS751 offered in the fall.

Publications

News

• K-State is hosting the first Greater Kansas Area Security Workshop. Call for Participation.
• SnIPS 1.0 released!.
• MulVAL 1.1 released!.

Awards

• NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, 2010.
• HP Labs Innovation Research Program (IRP) Award (2010, 2011).

Recent and upcoming professional activities

• Organizing chair, first Greater Kansas Area Security Workshop.
• Poster and Demo Co-Chair. ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS). 2009 and 2010.
• TPC member. 4th International Conference on Network and System Security (NSS). 2010.
• TPC member. International Symposium on Resilient Control Systems (ISRCS). 2010, 2011, 2012.
• TPC member. Workshop on Assurable & Usable Security Configuration (SafeConfig). 2009, 2010, 2011.
• Tutorial speaker. Security risk analysis of enterprise networks: techniques and challenges, ACM CCS. 2009 and 2010.
  
• Tutorial speaker. Security risk analysis of enterprise networks: techniques and challenges, ACSAC. 2011.

Teaching

• Spring 2012: CIS753/553: Applied Cryptography
  CIS798/490: Cyber Defense Basics
  
• Fall 2011: CIS751/551: Computer and Information Security
  CIS798/490: Cyber Defense Basics
  
• Spring 2011: CIS753/CIS553: Applied Cryptography
  CIS890: Research Topics in Security
  
• Fall 2010: CIS751/551: Computer and Information Security
  CIS505: Introduction to Programming Languages
• Spring 2010: CIS753/CIS553: Applied Cryptography
  CIS890: Research Topics in Security
  Guest lectures, COS 598D: Formal Methods in Networking, Princeton University.
• Fall 2009: CIS751/590: Computer and Information Security
• Spring 2009: CIS798/CIS590: Applied Cryptography
  CIS890: Research Topics in Security
• Fall 2008: CIS751/590: Computer and Information Security
• Spring 2008: CIS798/CIS590: Applied Cryptography
  CIS890: Research Topics in Security
• Fall 2007: CIS751: Computer and Information Security
• Spring 2007: CIS890: Research Topics in Security
• Fall 2006: CIS798: Computer and Information Security

Students

• Su Zhang (PhD)
• Loai Zomlot (PhD)
• Kui Luo (PhD)
• Heqing Huang (PhD)
• Alexandru Bardas (PhD)
• Sathya Chandran Sundaramurthy (PhD)
• Jeremiah Shirk (MS)
• Dustin Seabourn (Undergraduate student)

• Bart Carroll (Bachelor, Fall 2007)
• Hussain Almohri (MS, 2008)
• Abhishek Rakshit (MS, 2008)
• John Homer (PhD, 2009. Faculty at Abilene Christian University)
• Ashok Varikuti (MS, 2009)
• Robert Christie (Bachelor, Spring 2009)
• Sakthiyuvaraja Sakthivelmurugan (MS, 2009)
• Tsung-Hsi Wu (MSE, 2010)
• Murali Vupputuri (MS, 2011)
• Nataraj Sundar (MS, 2011)
• Cory Hardman (Bachelor, Dec 2011)

Personal life

I am married to Shuang Hao, a wonderful wife and artist.