About us

The ESTABLISHMENT

Phase 1: Internet connectivity within the IoT SmartHome Lab (WH 308)

An internet connection on a network separate from the school network, with an access point to connect all the devices to, so that they can communicate amongst themselves. The access point will be connected to a fully controlled firewall.

Phase 2: Ability to take SmartHome devices to classrooms on campus, and get connectivity

We would like to take the devices to classrooms on campus and be able to connect the devices to the internet, to perform in-class activities and projects.

Phase 3: Ability to remotely access the devices and the access-point in WH 308

Remote access allows experimentation and adjustments on IoT devices, ensuring research continuity and flexibility, even without physical presence in the lab.

Phase 4: Setting up medium-interaction Honeypots to attract attackers and collect real-time data and malware

Unlike a production honeypot, this will be a medium-interaction research honeypot that will emulate IoT devices to attract attackers. The purpose would be to observe attack techniques in real-time, collect data that includes malware samples. Ideally, we imagine the honeypot to be implemented on the UNCC Research VRF (or a different isolated network) to keep the main network away from any threat.

The CCI SmartHome IoT Lab will have three important missions, as described below—(i) Facilitating IoT Research: The SmartHome IoT Lab will establish a fully functional smart home environment and provide software and hardware access to students and faculty who want to conduct research in related topics; (ii) Facilitating IoT Education: We envision the lab to facilitate education and education innovation opportunities for CCI faculty and students in IoT; Facilitating IoT Outreach: The SmartHome lab will also serve as an outreach site to general public and CCI partners. 

Some of the smarthome devices currently installed in the lab include security cameras, smart TV, baby monitors, voice assistants, blood pressure monitors, fitness bands, smart lights, etc.

Mission

  1. Facilitate Research: The lab provides software and hardware access to students and faculty interested in conducting research related to IoT security, wireless networks, cloud computing, and critical infrastructures.
  2. Facilitate Education: Through training workshops, educational initiatives, and course modules, the lab promotes learning and innovation opportunities for CCI faculty and students in IoT technology.
  3. Facilitate Outreach: As an outreach site, the lab engages with the general public and CCI partners through demonstrations, workshops, and collaborative projects, fostering a broader understanding of IoT technology and its implications.

Lab Facilities and Offerings

The lab boasts a range of state-of-the-art equipment and resources tailored to support its missions:

  1. Hardware: Smart devices such as lamps, TVs, routers, wearables, assistants, and security cameras, along with analysis tools like WiFi Pineapple and workstations.
  2. Network Connectivity: The lab is equipped with LAN ports and future-proof devices/software to allow multiple research groups to work simultaneously.