Commonwealth Cyber Initiative

📑 Two Virginia Tech researchers, Tabitha L. James and Viswanath Venkatesh, will study the influence that judgmental artificial intelligence, or “judgy AI”, has on minorities, the underprivileged, and other vulnerable populations.

👏 This research proposal is one of 11 projects funded by CCI as part of our 2024 Addressing Inclusion and Accessibility in Cybersecurity program.

Read the story ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/judgyai

Learn more about all 11 funded projects ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/cci-inclusion

Virginia Tech researchers to investigate impact of judgmental AI on vulnerable groups Two researchers from the Pamplin College of Business will study the impact on vulnerable populations through a new inclusive cybersecurity program funded by the Southwest Virginia node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative.

💡 CCI is presenting some of our researchers’ exciting work through selected papers that have been presented, published, or accepted for publication in 2023 and 2024!

📝 Submissions came from CCI researchers at George Mason University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary

🌐 Many papers were the product of collaborations between researchers at multiple CCI member universities, as well as institutions in other states and nations.

Check out the selected papers now ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/24cciresearch

CCI Research Director Eric Burger was officially inducted as a National Academy of Inventors Fellow this week at their annual conference in Raleigh, N.C.
Please join us in sending our congratulations! 🎉

Last month, CCI and Belgium’s KU Leuven brought together 60 cybersecurity experts from 10 countries and 35 academic, industry, and governmental organizations to focus on cybersecurity collaborations.

Read more about this exciting international effort ➡️ https://buff.ly/4e8hS6b

In the latest Tech on Tap series, Feras Baterseh, CCI Researcher and Associate Professor with the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, spoke about the threat of cyberattacks on water utilities across the country and how artificial intelligence is being used to protect these critical biological systems.

🎥 Watch the video now ➡️ https://buff.ly/45ccACp

Tech on Tap: AI and water sustainability Feras Baterseh is an associate professor with the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) and the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative. In the latest Tech on Tap series, he speaks about the threat of cyberattacks on water utilities across the country and how artificial intelligence is being used...

💡 Did you know? CCI has funded several projects to advance the state of supply chain cybersecurity, drawing together Virginia researchers to address securing autonomous vehicles, power grids, and more!

Check out this article to learn more about our funded projects in this field as well as our recent supply chain workshop at the 2024 CCI Symposium!
➡️ https://buff.ly/44SJZ4R

Securing the supply chain: CCI researchers expanding their field May 20, 2024

🌐 Get immersed in real-world cybersecurity issues and gain mentored work experience while earning $25 an hour as part of the CCI Project-Based Learning Program in partnership with Microsoft

Five students will be selected to partner with Microsoft Cloud and Cybersecurity subject matter experts (SMEs) to build a simulated enterprise cloud environment to conduct cybersecurity operations.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship and majoring in cybersecurity or a cyber-related field at a Virginia college or university within the CCI network.
📆 Applications are open NOW until May 31!

➡️ Learn more: https://buff.ly/3ykjOrI

🎉 Congratulations to Rodrigo Sarlo, who received the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award to create structural digital twins on Virginia Tech campus.
His research will facilitate the conversion of sensor data to structural models, which has applications in structural monitoring for safety and maintenance.

Previously, Sarlo served as Principal Investigator on CCI funded research project, "Assuring Trustworthy and Secure Human-AI Collaboration to Strengthen U.S. Civil Infrastructure" which can be found here ➡️ https://cyberinitiative.org/research/funded-projects/2023--securing-interactions-between-humans-and-machines/assuring-trustworthy-and-secure-human-ai-collaboration-to-streng.html

Rodrigo Sarlo receives National Science Foundation CAREER award to create structural digital twins on campus Sarlo's research will facilitate the conversion of sensor data to structural models, which has applications in structural monitoring for safety and maintenance.

Hidden Within Exhibit, funded by Commonwealth Cyber Initiative grant Opening reception May 7, 2024; exhibit May 7 to May 11, 2024

📚 Submissions for our 2024 Research Showcase open today!

We want to highlight the impressive work being done by the CCI research community to advance cybersecurity research!
We'll feature the selected papers on our website, in social media posts, in the CCI annual report, and other CCI publications to help increase the number of citations for each paper. We’ll also work with your home university to spread the word about your research!
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024

To learn more and submit your published research, click here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2024ccishowcase

🎉 Please join us in congratulating our very own Research Director Eric Burger for being one of six Virginia Tech researchers named in the 2023 class of AAAS Fellows!

Read more about this amazing accomplishment here ➡️
https://tinyurl.com/AAAS-Fellows

The 2024 CCI Symposium was our biggest yet! 🚀 A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, participants, and contributors who made this year’s event a resounding success. 🙌 We can’t wait for next year!

🔊 Don’t miss out on George Mason University’s NSF I-Corps upcoming info session!
This virtual info session is designed for faculty, researchers, postdocs, students, and staff in higher education institutions within the Commonwealth of Virginia, interested in learning more about I-Corps regional and national programming.

💡 NSF I-Corps at GMU assists faculty, researchers, students, staff, innovators, and founders from across the Commonwealth in exploring the commercial viability of their technology-based innovation ideas to accelerate business exploration and creation and, ultimately, make a real-world/societal impact!

This info session will be held virtually on April 18 from 12-1pm.
To register ➡️ https://icorps.gmu.edu/events/ -4723

💻 Get immersed in real-world cybersecurity issues and gain mentored work experience while earning $25 an hour as part of the CCI Project-Based Learning Program in partnership with CACI. Five students will be selected for this program, which will support CACI’s Cyber Mission Operations Team.

📝 Applications close April 26th, 2024

➡️ Click here to learn more and apply:
https://cyberinitiative.org/talent-development/project-based-learning-program/2024--work-at-caci-while-you-study.html

📆 There are only 3 weeks left to submit proposals for our 2024 Experiential Learning Program!
The CCI Experiential Learning Program has helped students across the entire state of Virginia learn essential skills and knowledge to launch successful careers in cybersecurity as our longest running workforce development program!

Proposals are due by April 26 at 5pm ET.

Click here to learn more: https://cyberinitiative.org/proposals/2024-experiential-learning-program-call-for-proposals.html

Don’t miss Blue Ridge Community College’s Art Exhibit “Fractured Reflections: Navigating AI, Cybersecurity, and the Shifting Self”.

This exhibit features student and faculty works as part of the CCI Cyber Arts and Design 2024 Program, uniting cybersecurity researchers from across the CCI Network with the arts and design community.

The exhibit is on display until April 15th at BRCC Fine Arts Center Galleries in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

For more information: https://www.brcc.edu/ai-inspired-art-fractured-reflections-exhibit/

Check out the wide array of topical research workshops hosted by Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia Node this spring!

Led by researchers with CCI Southwest Virginia FY24 Research awards, these workshops are a great way to connect with other researchers in the network and learn about the applications of cybersecurity.

Learn more ➡️

Topical Research Workshops Spring 2024

🔊 CCI Symposium Media Advisory 🔊
We are pleased to invite members of the media to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Symposium! This event will be held from April 15th to 16th, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia.

For more details on how to RSVP and schedule interviews with speakers onsite, click here ➡️

Media Advisory: Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium to gather cybersecurity researchers, students, government and industry stakeholders in Richmond The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Symposium will gather more than 250 cybersecurity researchers, students, government and industry stakeholders from across Virginia to discuss advanced research in securing networks, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and more. This annual all-hands m...

Hey Central Virginia university students, want to learn how to turn your amazing research or idea into a business? Meet Virginia investors who can help you understand the process, well before your startup inspiration hits.

Join us March 27, 4-6 p.m., at the University of Virginia’s Olsson Hall Link Lab.

Meet Up to Startup Next Event Is March 27

Read this op-ed by CCI Executive Director Luiz DaSilva in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and learn more about what Virginia is doing in .

Commentary: To protect the nation, Virginia must remain an innovation leader The next few years will be critical in determining the shape of the wireless networks market, and it is vital that the U.S. regain leadership in this space.

We’ve partnered with Microsoft for a new Project-Based Learning Program that uses the Flipper Zero, a portable multi-tool device. Recruitment is open now and closes March 22.

The experiential learning project will run from June 3 to Aug. 2, 2024. Students must be enrolled in cyber or cyber-adjacent classes at a Virginia college or university within the CCI network, among other eligibility requirements.

Flipper Zero: Microsoft Project-Based Learning Program The Flipper Zero is a small hand-held electronic device, an easy-to-use gadget that can capture and replay many over-the-air signals.

Aspiring entrepreneurs can connect with leading Virginia investors to hear what they’re looking for, share research, and receive feedback at our Meet Up to Startup sessions.

Our Meet Up to Startup program begins in March at the University of Virginia, March 27, 4-6 p.m.
In the Coastal Virginia region? Meet us on April 3, 4-6 p.m., at Old Dominion University.

More info and register: https://cyberinitiative.org/innovation/meet-up-to-startup.html

Want to learn more about what's next in wireless networks and what it means to you? Give this a listen!

'Curious Conversations' podcast: Luiz DaSilva talks about the future of wireless networks and CCI's test beds DaSilva joined the podcast to chat about the evolution of wireless networks, the importance of advancing the next generation of wireless, and the critical role the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative is playing in that advancement.

This week we were honored to host a National Telecommunications and Information Administration delegation led by Amanda Toman to celebrate two new grants under the Innovation Fund to teams led by Lingjia Liu at Virginia Tech - DC area and Chris Christou at Booz Allen Hamilton. The group also toured CCI's xG testbed, recently designated as an Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) by the ORAN Alliance. Virginia Tech and CCI researchers participate on both grants, which total around $4 million.
read more: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/12/ntia-innovation-fund-showcases-vt-cci-researchers.html

CCI Researcher Emma Meno is developing a mobile app to empower buyers to ensure their purchases are legitimate. In a study by several CCI researchers published for Micromachines earlier this fall, Meno and a team of researchers described their work to date.

“Counterfeiters put things on the market that look like authorized medical devices or intercept a legitimate transaction,” said Meno, who is also a Virginia Tech National Security Institute research associate. “A fake biodevice is a huge health risk, and the growing number of people who are affected by this is worrisome.”

Read more ⬇️

Are your Cyber Monday purchases legit? There’s (going to be) an app for that Virginia Tech researcher Emma Meno is developing a mobile app that will allow a buyer to double check that a purchase is not a fake.  

The DoD Cyber Scholarship Program provides full scholarships to college students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to study in cyber-related majors! Apply by Feb. 1, 2024.

Apply for coverage on all tuition, required fees (including health care), books, and a laptop. The program will also provide a $29,000 per year stipend for undergraduates and a $34,000 stipend for graduate students. Current students are slated to work at organizations across the DoD and Intelligence Community, including Naval Sea Systems Command (Red Team), Space and Naval Warfare Systems, U.S. Air Force Cyber Hunt, and the National Security Agency!

Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program The DoD Cyber Scholarship Program guarantees a full-time position at the Department of Defense and covers full cost of tuition, books, required fees, a laptop, a stipend to cover room and board for qualifying students interested in cyber security.

"FEMO-CLOUD: Federated, Multi-site O-Cloud Platform for Next generation RAN Research and Experimentation" received an honorable mention by O-RAN ALLIANCE's Next Generation Research Group.

O-RAN ALLIANCE Awards Seed Funding for Next Generation Open RAN Research Platforms O-RAN ALLIANCE Awards Seed Funding for Next Generation Open RAN Research Platforms

The Phoenix Hackathon, Jan. 6-7 at Rock Ridge High School allows middle and high school students to collaborate on team STEM projects, attend intro-level workshops about Python, Linux, UI Design and more; compete in a capture-the-flag, and learn from guest speakers! Students can also win fun prizes! Learn more and register ⬇️

Phoenix Hackathon