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CCI is proud to be a sponsor of MegaHack at Virginia Commonwealth University held on Jan. 27-28. Students solved innovation-focused challenges involving smart tech, smart health, and smart cities.
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A Message from the Executive Director
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Dear Lisa,
We’re starting the year with new research calls for proposals that showcase the breadth of our programs. One focuses on innovation, while a new program addresses inclusion and accessibility issues in cybersecurity.
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CCI supports innovation with incubator and accelerator program
The Commonwealth Cybersecurity Incubator and Accelerator (CCI+A) Program is a market-discovery and commercialization grant for university faculty and Virginia-based startups to help them bring cybersecurity-related products and services to market.
The fund, co-sponsored by the CCI Northern Virginia Node and the CCI Hub, will support eight to 10 awards of up to $50,000 each. Applications are due Feb. 16. Interested principal investigators must attend a virtual information session on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
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Submit proposals to new Addressing Inclusion and Accessibility in Cybersecurity Research Program
The intent of our first Addressing Inclusion and Accessibility in Cybersecurity program is to address research challenges involved in inclusion and accessibility to cybersecurity technologies. Examples include accessible and secure digital protection; skin tone or gender bias in artificial intelligence; online deception of vulnerable populations, and more.
Some objectives of this program include producing seminal research contributions to address inclusion and accessibility issues that are specifically related to cybersecurity, in addition to using the program’s seed funding to pursue continuation of the awarded project’s impact through extramural funding opportunities.
The last day for Q&A is Feb. 16. Proposals are due March 1. We’re looking forward to reading the proposals.
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Old Dominion University students awarded NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service
Congrats to the 18 Old Dominion University students who were awarded the National Science Foundation CyberCorps Scholarship for Service! This month, the students visited the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) headquarters in Arlington and participated in the annual Scholarship for Service Job Fair in Washington, D.C.
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CCI researchers land (another!) NTIA award
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Congratulations to another round of CCI researchers who received funding from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. Nishith Tripathi, a research associate professor in electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech, is leading the project on holistic cybersecurity for open radio access networks (O-RAN). Jeff Reed, CCI chief technology officer and founding director of Wireless@VirginiaTech, and Vijay Shah, assistant professor of cybersecurity engineering at George Mason University, also are on the research team.
A part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that’s funded by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Innovation Fund is responsible for awarding $1.5 billion to support development of open and interoperable networks. Open radio access networks (O-RAN) promise to boost competition in a market dominated by a few players, as well as spur innovation, and create jobs.
The latest announcement marks the fourth NTIA-funded project that involves CCI researchers and our xG Testbed. Read more about NTIA’s visit last month to Virginia Tech to celebrate two funded projects and a project led by George Mason University that involves O-RAN and artificial intelligence.
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Congratulations to George Mason University’s Liza Wilson Durant
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The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) named Lisa Wilson Durant, CCI Northern Virginia Node director, as a NVTC Cyber50 Executive. The Cyber50 honors top cyber companies, government contractors, and leaders in the Washington, D.C., region’s technology community. Liza has long been tops in the CCI book, and we’re delighted that others recognize her leadership in cybersecurity.
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Cyber as a Service Call for Proposals
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We'll be accepting proposals for Cyber as a Service projects on a rolling basis beginning Jan. 15, 2024.
These projects should enhance students’ skills to enter the cybersecurity workforce on graduation and benefit the local economy. The budget should not exceed $15,000.
Projects, performed primarily by students, should provide a cyber service (e.g., penetration or pen testing, cyber risk analysis) to Virginia small businesses or not-for-profits in the same county as the institution of higher education.
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CCI committee needs your input
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The CCI Inclusion and Diversity Committee has put out a call for new members from across Virginia. This instrumental committee advises the CCI Leadership Council, creates informative programing, and supplies guidance to CCI programs such as to our new Addressing Inclusion and Accessibility in Cybersecurity Program call for proposals.
Please consider offering your time and insight to this committee.
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I enjoyed spending time last weekend at at Virginia Commonwealth University's 24-hour MegaHack sprint, which also is on innovation. It is wonderful to see the next wave of cybersecurity experts honing their skills. Learn more about the latest cybersecurity events, programs, and news in Central Virginia by visiting the new CCI Central Virginia website.
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We're back! Clearance Preparedness Program kicks off Feb. 7
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If you want a career in a field that requires a security clearance, get a head start by attending CCI's Clearance Preparedness Program.
This informational seminar series, which is free, includes 10 monthly 60-minute virtual modules. You’ll learn about the clearance process, and what you can expect in clearance-level roles. The first session is Feb. 7 at 1 p.m.
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The spring semester is off and running and we are too. Expect more announcements and be on the lookout for new calls for proposals, especially for our impactful experiential learning program.
All the best,
Luiz DaSilva
Executive Director
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