Western will get $6 million to continue testing computer defense systems in the Center for Research and Development Cyber Defense Lab.

The lab tests software and looks for ways to determine if a hacker has broken into a network, said Phillip Womble, lab director and professor of physics and astronomy.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., secured the money in a defense appropriation continuing resolution passed by the Senate, said Courtney Norris, spokesperson for McConnell.

That’s a resolution passed to continue funding current government projects, Norris said.

President George W. Bush signed the resolution on Sept. 30, she said.

McConnell officially opened the 1,200 square foot lab in February, according to a Western press release.

Western’s customers include the U.S. Army Research Lab, Womble said.

There are about six faculty and students working in the lab, Womble said.

The lab has about 32 computers that run on a network where workers recreate other networks on a smaller scale to find out how to detect hackers, Womble said.

Workers are also researching the psychology of hackers and developing a profile for computer attacks, he said.

Lab officials will use the money to expand the program and staff, but they don’t know exactly how they’ll expand because government officials will decide for them, Womble said.

He said he expects the lab to update the defense systems that they use because they become obsolete quickly.

“If your defenses are 100 percent today, tomorrow they will be at 90 percent and 50 percent next year,” he said.

The lab will receive the money in about a year because of the legislative cycle, he said.

The resolution also includes $1.4 million to make weapons maintenance more efficient at the Weapons Shot Counter in Crestview Hills and $10 million for the construction of a school-age services center at Fort Campbell, according to the appropriations bill.

Reach Christina Howerton at news@chherald.com.