Welcome to my site. Currently, I am a 5th year PhD student and a research scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I'm a member of the Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC) and the Center for Experimental Research in Computer Systems (CERCS). My advisor is Dr. Wenke Lee.

My research is focused on improving system security. Specifically, I'm creating more secure monitoring architectures and techniques for understanding the data accessible from these architectures (e.g., memory images). My work shows how virtualization platforms and operating systems can improve overall system security by providing additional security services. This work brings together themes from areas such as intrusion detection, monitoring, digital forensics, and secure systems research.

In addition to this work, I have interests in information security and privacy, usable security, and operating systems. Email is always the best way to contact me.

News

• 15 Aug 2009: Saw Paul McCartney live. Amazing concert.
• 12 Aug 2009: Attended the Usenix Security Symposium in Montreal.
• 31 Jul 2009: Work has begun on getting active monitoring integrated into Xen and XenAccess. Fun applications will follow!
• 16 June 2009: Gave talk on Security Through Virtualization at the AOC Emerging Technology Conference.
• 8 Jun 2009: Attended the Trusted Infrastructure Workshop at CMU.
• 1 May 2009: Completed all of my coursework for the PhD.
• 14 Jan 2009: I'm serving as the graduate student representative on the College of Computing Dean Search Committee.
• 5 Jan 2009: XenAccess version 0.5 is now available.
• 1 Dec 2008: I joined the Livestrong Challenge and will be riding in Austin in 2009. See the Quest for Payne team web site for details and to make a donation to help fight cancer.