About Me

My name is Cameron McDuffie, and I am studying Integrated Information Technology at the University of South Carolina. I will be graduating in May 2024 with Leadership Distinction in the Research Pathway. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have come to understand the importance of Information Security. While taking ITEC 445, Advanced Networking, and ITEC 493, IT Security for Managers, I was very fortunate to participate in two semesters of cybersecurity research under Dr. Crichigno in the IIT program. In Fall of 2021, I researched TCP SYN attack mitigation using Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls. In Spring of 2022, I researched packet filtering with P4 programmable switches. Both semesters greatly enhanced my knowledge of securing the digital world and allowed me to learn and utilize specific tools that I can use in the future. These experiences led me to choose the research pathway, as it gave me an opportunity to dig deep and present my results. I am thankful to have had so many encouraging Professors, classmates, and co-workers who aided in these experiences.

After I graduate, I plan to continue working as an IT Manager for the Mechanical Engineering department. I also plan to pursue a Master of Science in Information Technology. With this degree I hope to eventually become an IT Director in the education industry. When I started as a freshman at USC, I had a very limited knowledge of the academic and professional world. I have learned so much after experiencing my three key insights:

The Importance of Information Security - I learned what Information security was, and how important it is in today's digitally driven society. This key insight comprises of my two experiences, ITEC 445 - Advanced Networking, and my TCP SYN Attack Prevention research project.

IT Management - I learned about what it takes to be an IT Manager. This key insight comprises of my two experiences, ITEC 447 - Management of Information Technology, and my current job as IT Manager for the Mechanical Engineering department.

Software Defined Networking - I learned what Software Defined Networking is, and how this cutting-edge technology has the potential to change the internet as we know it. This key insight comprises of my two experiences, ITEC 742, Enterprise Network Management, and my packet filtering using a P4 programmable switch research project.

Growing up, I never envisioned myself as a leader. I had no idea what my college experience would be like, but I learned quickly that hard work pays off. Becoming an IT Manager made me aware of the responsibilities you take on as leader. In my leadership section I describe my plan to combat phishing, a responsibility that I took upon myself for the betterment of my department. The goal of phishing is to gain credentials, financial information, and or valuable data. One simple phishing attempt can single-handedly bring down an entire organization in a matter of seconds. As I learned in the experiences from my IT Management key insight, supporting the organization's needs are the priority when in an IT position. I discuss my plan to combat this issue at USC in the leadership section of this portfolio.