Yannarak Wannasai

Since being an undergraduate, I have held the same goal: to perform professional research as a network security expert at a research-oriented organization. I am interested in designing and implementing computer systems that are both secure and reliable; to fulfill this goal, however, I must improve my knowledge of network security and my research skills. The Master’s Program in Security and Mobile Computing (NordSecMob) is a good fit for me for many reasons.

This program provides essential knowledge in both theory and practice in the computer security field. The detailed course list reveals a number of courses well suited to my academic desires and aspirations. My primary interest is to do research on how to detect and prevent application layer attacks. The NordSecMob program suits this interest perfectly with its advanced courses and its consortium’s world-class research laboratories.

After earning my master’s degree, my long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in computer science. Your program will enable me to develop vital research skills now while also equipping me to deal with the challenges of a Ph.D. program. The research methodology taught in your program as well as the accessibility to state-of-the-art research facilities are major benefits to the development of my research skills. Additionally, having the chance to study at two Nordic universities is an invaluable opportunity for me to grow in both technical and cultural knowledge.

As an undergraduate from Chulalongkorn University with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, I took great interest and excelled in programming-related subjects like System Programming, Operating Systems, Programming Languages and Compilers. Computer Security, however, interested me most. My professor gave us weekly research assignments on computer security issues like web application vulnerabilities, wireless network security weaknesses, and others. Because of these assignments, my classmates and I had a chance to perform penetration testing on the university’s web applications and wireless networks which gave us a better understanding of how hackers attack computer systems. In my opinion, we cannot protect our computer systems against hackers unless we know how they work. Though these assignments were quite challenging, I enjoyed doing them with success.

During my first job at Openface Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Canadian Openface Internet Inc., I worked as a software engineer in R&D. Working at Openface for two years has helped me improve not only my knowledge of software engineering but also my awareness of web application security. My experiences at Openface have taught me that most attacks function through flaws at the application layer. Though most computer systems are protected by firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), or anti-virus software, a single vulnerability in an application can cause serious damage. This problem also spawned my interest in detecting and preventing application layer attacks.

Lastly, while the NordSecMob program can give me the tools I need to achieve my goals, I feel that I have much to contribute back to the program through my experiences and knowledge gained not only as an undergraduate but from my work at Openface. I am confident in my abilities and look forward to the opportunity to continue my studies in your fine program.