21-000002256 Cybersecurity Education and Training for Mission-Critical Power Systems
Abstract
Mission-critical power systems (MCPS) refer to those systems that generate, store, transport, and distribute electricity, are essential to the U.S., and whose failure or interruption would have a significant impact on the nation s security, economy, and health. Cyberattacks that target the different functionalities of an MCPS, especially when coupled with vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) networks, have brought new cybersecurity challenges requiring a workforce with diverse skill sets and interdisciplinary backgrounds to operate and safeguard these technologies. Given the reported lack of a cybersecurity workforce as well as the need for accessible and advanced training tools that address the unique challenges of MCPS, now more than ever the development of new educational tools that provide remote experiential learning with hands-on experimentation is becoming a priority. In this project, we propose to develop the CyberPower Training Program, which encompasses an advanced real-time hardware-in-the-loop testbed, an online training environment that allows remote interaction with the testbed, and three courses tailored to address unique challenges in cybersecurity of MCPS, which will be offered to engineering undergrad and graduate students. The CyberPower training program aims to train the future workforce on cybersecurity of MCPS by enhancing the learning experience and accessibility through an innovative remote platform that integrates theoretical foundations with hands-on experimentation. The research and educational mission of this project is to train students from diverse backgrounds including underrepresented communities, with unique interdisciplinary skill sets that span diversenaval science and technology research areas that include power & energy science and technology, communication and networking, datascience, advance modeling and simulation for training and analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and cyber security. Interdisciplinaryexpertise of this nature will be critical to creating impactful educational experiences and pathways for students in STEM disciplines critical to the Naval mission. The development of the CyberPower Training program will involve high-school andundergraduate students and NROTC cadets from underrepresented communities, who will be engaged in the implementation and testing ofthe different components that encompass the hands-on training platform. The CyberPower Training Program will be developed in close collaboration with California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), two Navy research labs, and the NROTC at the University of Utah, who will contribute on the development of curriculum and instructional material, testing and validation of remote access to the testbed, and on defining realistic test scenarios that are relevant to Navy systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312240
Entities
People
- Jairo Giraldo
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Utah