Posted on April 19, 2024 by College of Sciences
#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike
Albert Villarreal, Computer Science Major
By Pelle Muñoz
Meet Albert Villarreal, founder of Console Cowboys, a cybersecurity club that focuses on hardware, reverse engineering and physical security, and esteemed embedded security researcher at UTSA.
Despite being a young institution, UTSA has made considerable gains in the field of research, particularly through the university’s Carnegie R1 classification. Albert found UTSA to be the perfect environment to cultivate new ideas and pursue research opportunities.
As technology continues to become more embedded in the lives of consumers, majors like cybersecurity and computer science are increasingly becoming more sought after by employers. The path of Albert's education was determined by his love and passion for computers and security, and UTSA offered the ideal blend of foundational and advanced knowledge required for these disciplines.
Albert is excited to contribute to the developing field of cybersecurity research. For over three years, he served as a security researcher for both the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics and the Cyber Protection Operation Center at UTSA. His research involved investigating non-destructive data acquisition for IoT devices (i.e., devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet.) In addition, he has been a Scholarship for Service (SFS) student for the past two years. SFS is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers.
In 2020, Albert was recognized for his research contributions and won second place in the Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Showcase for his oral presentation, "A Cybersecurity Look at Amazon Echo Dot: Hacking the Echo."
"My research is important, because I'm using my knowledge to protect everyone who uses IoT devices." Albert said. "We do our research to better understand what we are putting in our homes."
A vast portion of Albert's journey culminated in him founding and presiding over UTSA's Console Cowboys. His interest in embedded security research also led to his participation in four U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) internships since 2021. This included a two-year experience with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory under the Journeyman Fellowship. The DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Education and Outreach Program is designed to support the lab's efforts to build the highly talented, innovative, and diverse workforce necessary to meet the Army's future needs.
Notably, Albert also played a pivotal role in the creation of a specialized course for the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), tailored specifically for the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
His contributions extend beyond the classroom, and include producing technical reports and publications that illuminate critical facets of computer forensics and security. Additionally, he holds a patent (UTSA Patent: D2021-001),which represents an innovative tool and application specifically tailored for digital forensics.
The patent was created specifically for digital forensics investigators, including organizations like the United States Secret Service and other forensic organizations for a fast, easy, and repetitive data extraction methodology.
These achievements stand as testament to Albert's unwavering commitment to driving progress and excellence in the field of cybersecurity.
The advice and lessons gained from personal experience during his time at UTSA have given Albert a source of motivation and resilience. It stands as a reminder that everyone begins at step one and is bringing a number of different experiences and perspectives to the table.
As Albert looks towards the future, his journey with UTSA lies at the forefront of his mind as a rich, meaningful academic experience.
"The key is to stay persistent and determined, no matter the challenges you face," Albert said. "It is a reminder that setbacks are a part of the journey, but they do not have to define our outcome. This advice has helped me stay focused on my goals, overcome obstacles, and work towards success in my academic career at UTSA."
"It doesn't matter where you've come from; what matters is what you do with the time you have now. You may fall down, but as long as you never give up and never surrender, you will always succeed in the end," Albert added.
— College of Sciences
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