Research
Diverse Team of Research Engineers Working in a high Tech Laboratory.
We live in a world where the IT landscape is constantly changing. Advancements in AI, Next-G communications, and autonomous systems invite us to imagine a future full of exciting possibilities.
But this progress brings new vulnerabilities and complex cybersecurity challenges. A reactive approach—patching systems after attacks—leaves organizations exposed and results in fragmented security.
In a world where critical infrastructure relies on connected technology, security must be built in from the start.
That's why CCI, in partnership with universities and industry, is advancing research in IoT, cyber-physical systems, Next-G, AI, and data analytics—working to stay ahead of tomorrow's threats while fueling innovation, job growth, and economic development in Virginia.
Calls for Proposals
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative funds research, innovation, and workforce development projects as part of our mission. We welcome applications from all CCI researchers and institutions
CCI seeks proposals for Cyber as a Service projects to enhance students' skills to enter the cybersecurity workforce on graduation and benefit the local economy.
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.
CCI is offering technology transfer support funding to faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions to facilitate research commercialization efforts.
Eligible faculty may apply for grants up to $8,000 to support patent application fees, legal fees, or other professional support.
Funded Projects
Research is integral to CCI's mission. The statewide initiative funds collaborative projects that reach across disciplines and geography to find new solutions.
Research Paper Showcase
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Research Paper Showcase celebrates groundbreaking cybersecurity research conducted by scholars from across Virginia. Featuring selected papers supported by CCI programs, this annual exhibit highlights innovative work that addresses today's most pressing cybersecurity challenges — from AI and machine learning to policy, privacy, and resilient infrastructure.
Our Focus Areas
Securing the Next Generation of Networks (Secure NextG)
At CCI, we're helping to secure the communications networks that are part of the country's critical infrastructure. In the United States, industry has made an investment of more than $350 billion in the fifth generation of mobile networks, known as 5G. Even larger investments have been made by industry and government in Europe and Asia. Virginia has unique research and innovation strengths in this area, including testbed facilities and some of the top communications researchers in the world.
The United States has long been a global leader in cybersecurity, creating an opportunity for CCI to help guide the deployment of secure 5G and the vision for the next generation of mobile networks (NextG). CCI is a member of the NextG Alliance, a major industry-led effort in mapping out a North American vision for NextG, providing us a great opportunity to transition our research into the standardization process to become part of the communications network we all use.
Some key research areas that are part of this theme include:
- Open interfaces and standards
- Virtualization and network disaggregation
- Integration of cyber physical systems
- Quantum communications
- Secure and flexible spectrum
CCI researchers are advancing AI to improve security and privacy. Our researchers are also instrumental in fixing new vulnerabilities brought about by the widespread adoption of AI in our systems.
CCI funded research includes using generative AI to increase the security of iris biometrics, leveraging large language models (LLMs) to analyze security vulnerabilities in software, and employing privacy-preserving learning for public health surveillance.
CCI is building unique research infrastructure for use by CCI partners across Virginia. This includes testbeds that serve as common platforms for advanced research, development, and technology demonstration, increasing competitiveness of Virginia's researchers and accelerating commercialization and economic development.
-
General Item
-
General Item
-
General Item
-
General Item
-
General Item
-
General Item