WeCARE: Wireless Networking Infrastructure for Imperative Cybersecurity Research and Education
Abstract
ONR Communications and Networking, Program Manager: Dr. Santanu DasAs vehicles, sensors and soldiers become increasingly connected to improve situational awareness and communication capabilities, wireless technologies are critical for a reliable and secure military tactical network deployment. Nevertheless, many wireless designs are still tested and evaluated in a simulated wireless environment (e.g., NS-3, Omnet++), which may not be sufficient for solutions designed to deal with dynamic and complicated battlefield environments. On the other hand, COVID-19 pandemic has debilitated development of many network security programs, yet highlights the urgent needs of cybersecurity professionals due to the rapid and massive shift to remote work.To this end, we propose a Wireless Networking Infrastructure for Imperative Cybersecurity Research and Education (WeCARE), that aims to develop an on-site infrastructure that facilitates evaluation and validation of wireless networking and security designs, as well as builds students with hands-on skillsets of software and hardware wireless and security tools demanded in the areas of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). The infrastructure is built with most up-to-date devices including a data processing station serving as a Network Hypervisor, base stationswith various wireless technologies, heterogeneous wireless IoT nodes serving as end hosts, and a MU-MIMO testbed using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP). The infrastructure enables the network programmability and can provide scalable and cost-effective experiments to systematically evaluate new designs of wireless networking and security in the realistic environment. Meanwhile, a hands-on laboratory can also significantly help the research-related academic training in New Mexico State University to prepare highlyskilled, diverse and inclusive trained professionals for networking and security. Particularly, we aim to develop a practice-based training program in the computer science department of NMSU that emphasizes hands-on labs and immerses students in real-world wireless networking and cybersecurity projects, such that helping them gain working experience and develop work-ready skills like data analysis, problem-solving, and best practices in the areas of interest and priority to the DoD. Also, the infrastructure offers remote access control that allows students to perform virtual experiment and research without being physically present in the lab, incorporating in-person and remote flexibility.**Publically releasable
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312064
Entities
People
- Tao Wang
Organizations
- New Mexico State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy