CCI Presents...

I had the pleasure of presenting an update about CCI to the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Board, which provides oversight to CCI. I am grateful for the lively and very positive discussions. Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick also was present. It was a great opportunity to showcase CCI's many successes and for feedback from and discussions with a very distinguished group.

CCI on the national stage at the
Mobile World Congress

For the first time in our short history, CCI will be participating in one of the leading global wireless communications events, Mobile World Congress Americas. 

We’re excited to demonstrate the first end-to-end Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) using software-defined radios (SDR). We’ll be showing how an O-RAN secure network can be used to prioritize the communications needs of emergency first responders while still allowing the public to call and text. We’re also demonstrating how Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) can be used to create a private 5G network to monitor flood control. It’s all part of the CCI xG Testbed.

R&D Mixer with CIA

The CCI Northern Virginia Node hosted an R&D Mixer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) last week. I attended this very informative panel led by CCI Northern Virginia Node Director Liza Wilson Durant. The mixer included CCI researchers, as well as entrepreneurs/founders of Virginia startups in cybersecurity. I had the chance to meet several entrepreneurs who have been funded under CCI's CATAPULT and Cyber Startups programs.

INNOVATE Cyber 2023 is
open for applications!

Every year, I am impressed with the real-world skills students learn and the creativity they show in solving cybersecurity challenges for INNOVATE Cyber, hosted by Old Dominion University. The 2023 cohort application is open, and students from across Virginia can apply. 

Cyber LeADERS Scholars Program

ODU’s School of Cybersecurity inducted six students into its Cyber LeADERS Scholars Program on Sept. 2. Cyber LeADERS is a partnership between ODU, Tidewater Community College and Virginia Peninsula Community College created in 2021 through funding from the National Science Foundation's CyberCorps Scholarship for Service initiative. All students will have the opportunity to work on CCI-funded research.

The scholarship program provides two to three years of support to selected students from the three institutions. This includes a full in-state tuition scholarship, an annual stipend ranging from $25,000 (for undergraduates) to $34,000 (for graduate students) and a professional development allowance.

2022 Research Day at
UVA Link Lab on Oct. 14

CCI researchers will join industry leaders and government stakeholders at the 2022 Research Day hosted by the University of Virginia Engineering’s Link Lab from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 14, at the UVA Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, Va. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about leading-edge research in cyber physical systems (CPS) and internet of things (IoT) in the four pillar areas of Link Lab with cross-cutting research themes in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Security, and Safety. Register to attend.

Drawing a diverse applicant
pool to your cyber program:
Online CCI webinar Oct. 27

Want to know how to attract a diverse applicant pool to your upcoming programs? We have a success story to share! Learn how CCI Northern Virginia Node Program Manager Jordan Mason attracted about 400 highly diverse applicants for 21 positions for a cybersecurity traineeship program. 

Please join us on Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to noon for a webinar hosted by the CCI Inclusion and Diversity Committee. Registration information is coming soon.

CCI Cybersecurity Arts and Design Exhibit on Nov. 4-5 at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia

We funded five projects in 2020 when Covid-19 prevented us from hosting an arts exhibit. I cannot wait to see these projects together in one place! The Taubman is a wonderful museum, and we’re their first such exhibit. Please join us Nov. 4-5. More information coming soon!

Proposals due Sept. 30 for Securing Interactions between
Humans and Machines CFP

Proposals for our first Call for Proposals dedicated to securing the interactions between humans and machines are due Sept. 30. 

Recent evolution in artificial intelligence, cyber physical systems, and communications are leading to a world in which humans and autonomous machines increasingly interact. At CCI, we view cybersecurity as intrinsically cross-disciplinary and devise solutions that lead to secure, resilient, and harmonious interactions between people and robots, drones, autonomous vehicles, and other cyber physical systems. I'm looking forward to reading your submission.

Mark your calendars for the CCI Symposium 2023

CCI’s all-hands meeting will be held April 17-18, 2023 at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Va. It is the place to share your research and meet collaborators. Poster/paper abstract submission period is Nov 1 - 16, 2022. More information is coming about this invite-only event. Explore what we did at the 2022 CCI Symposium.

CCI Internship Fair—Thank You!

A big thank you to the employers who participated in the CCI Internship Fair held online Sept. 22-23. Employers include:

• AWS
• AnaVation
• CACI
• CivilianCyber
• Comcast
• Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program (CSIIP)
• Deloitte
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Fusion Cyber
• G2Ops

• Idaho National Laboratory
• MI Technical Solutions
• Microsoft
• NAVSEA
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Noblis
• Palo Alto Networks
• Planet Defense
• Shared Spectrum
• Virginia Space Grant Consortium
• WR Systems
• Zekiah Technologies

We’re looking forward to October, also known as Cybersecurity Month. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming activities, and be sure to follow us on our social media accounts and check our website for the latest news.