KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – The tech industry continues to rise, and one central Texan is making her mark.
Texas A&M Central Texas assistant professor, Dr. Lavanya Elluri, won the National Science Foundation Grant for Cybersecurity Research and plans to use the funding to help us use our technology properly.
“Every day smart devices are increasing a lot, especially in smart phones,” said Elluri.
People can connect their data to several smart devices like phones, cars, even fridges.
However, Elluri said if you overlook the company’s policies, you’re more vulnerable to a data breach.
“We are sharing our data immensely, without knowing the terms and conditions of how they’re collecting the data, and how this data is being analyzed by the consumers,” said Elluri.
Elluri has over a decade of experience in Information Technology and noticed this is a worldwide issue.
She pitched her idea of creating an app that stores federal and state laws regarding data privacy, a simplified version of different companies’ terms and conditions, as well as privacy policies.
That way, instead of just skipping over several pages and connecting your device, folks are informed beforehand.
“At the same time, I also want to look into privacy policies of the company and let them know what are the missing elements that are not in their privacy policies,” said Elluri.
After two years of research in the highly competitive grant program, Elluri prevailed and was awarded with $170,062.
“It helps broaden many companies internationally and also all over the U.S. I was really hoping it would get accepted and I was really happy.”
Elluri wants to remind women working in a male dominated industry to always go big and be bold.
“It’s really important for women to be bold and come out of their comfort zone. Especially to be not dependent on others in a male dominated society. You will be seen as a little less sometimes compared to men. Of course, sometimes it happens. But it’s important to just keep going. No matter what happens, keep going,” said Elluri.
Dr. Elluri said she’s using the money to further her research and eventually develop her app.
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