Congratulations to Constant Vigneron for winning the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Student Project of the Year Award 2024 (master course)!
Constant won the CIISec prize this year because he achieved the highest overall academic final grade for the MSc Cyber Security degree course and also achieved a high mark for his final project “Exploring Forensic Hashing and Feature Matching Techniques to Detect Similar Images of Interest” under the supervision of Dr Virginia Franqueira.
Interview with Constant
Could you tell us about your experiences studying at Kent?
“Attending the University of Kent in Canterbury was a profoundly rewarding chapter in my educational journey, particularly as it marked my fourth year while studying at EPITECH in Nantes, France. The learning environment at Kent was exceptional, featuring modern facilities that greatly enriched my academic experience. The campus offered a peaceful and motivating setting, making the pursuit of knowledge enjoyable. Among my preferred study spots was the Master’s room in the Kennedy building, which provided a cozy atmosphere along with all the essential tools for thorough research and learning. My time at Kent was unforgettable and played a significant role in my academic and personal development.”
Could you tell us about your winning/final project?
“My final project was inspired by a large EU project called HEROES, which aimed to advance Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) detection. The primary goal of my project was to provide ground results that could enhance the detection of CSAM by comparing two types of algorithms that identify similarities in images. The former is utilised by Google’s reverse image search, while the latter is employed in medical software, such as those used in MRI scans. The project involved both qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of these algorithms in identifying and flagging CSAM. Thanks to my supervisor, I was able to continue working on this research after graduating and I am currently aiming to submit this work to a scientific journal. Working on a project with such significant implications was both challenging and rewarding. It provided me with a sense of purpose beyond just the technical aspects, knowing that my work could contribute to a safer online environment for children. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my supervisor, Dr Virginia Franqueira, for her extended support throughout the entire master’s project.”
What are your plans for the future?
“Looking ahead, my immediate focus is on honing my technical skills within the corporate sector. I am eager to integrate into the Security Operation Center (SOC) of companies as a developer, where I can contribute to enhancing their automation processes. This role will allow me to apply my knowledge and expertise in cyber security to real-world challenges, further developing my competencies in a dynamic and demanding environment. By working in a SOC, I aim to stay at the forefront of cyber security innovations and best practices, ultimately positioning myself to make a meaningful impact in the field. In a few years, I plan to orient myself towards cyber security governance, as I am drawn to the management and human interaction aspects that are omnipresent in this career path.”