HBCU-RISE: Enhancing Cybersecurity Research and Education Infrastructure

在科技卓越研究中心(CREST)、历史黑人学院和大学(HBCU)科学与工程研究基础设施(RISE)计划的支持下，该项目旨在开发一种新的范式来确保互联智能系统的安全，并为熟练的网络安全专业人员的发展做出贡献。随着最近信息和半导体技术的进步，世界正变得比以往任何时候都更加紧密地联系在一起，而新出现的“智能”网络社会也使美国的关键基础设施面临更高的网络恐怖主义风险。草原景观农工大学(PVAMU)的这个项目旨在帮助解决熟练的网络安全专业人员短缺的问题。为了应对现代互联计算系统面临的安全威胁，该项目旨在开发一个强大的研究生课程，通过以下方式补充草原景观农工大学目前在网络安全方面的能力建设努力：(1)为计算系统开发新的安全体系结构，将同时解决软件和硬件级别的漏洞；(2)培训一批新的专家，他们拥有包括硬件、操作系统、固件和软件在内的整个系统设计堆栈的垂直知识；(3)在一个快速增长的领域，增加STEM中代表性不足的群体中高素质博士毕业生的培养；(4)通过与包容性工程联盟成员机构的外联计划，建立一条通往PVAMU博士项目的可持续途径；以及(5)开发德克萨斯州高等教育协调委员会批准的网络安全研究生证书课程。项目成果将有助于加强能源、金融、卫生、教育、交通和国防等关键应用领域的安全。CREST HBCU-Rise奖项支持历史悠久的黑人学院和大学发展研究能力，这些学院和大学提供科学和工程学科的博士学位。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (RISE) program, this project aims to develop a new paradigm to securing connected smart systems and contribute to the development of skilled cybersecurity professionals. While the world is getting more interconnected than ever before with the recent advances in information and semiconductor technologies, the new emerging “smart” networked society also exposes the nation’s critical infrastructures to an elevated risk of cyberterrorism. This project at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) seeks to help address the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. To address the security threats facing modern connected computing systems, this project aims to develop a strong graduate program that will complement current capacity building efforts in cybersecurity at Prairie View A&M University by: (1) developing novel security architectures for computing systems that will address software and hardware-level vulnerabilities in tandem; (2) training a new cohort of experts with vertical knowledge across the whole system design stack, including hardware, operating system, firmware and software; (3) increasing the production of highly qualified doctoral graduates from groups underrepresented in STEM in a rapidly growing field; (4) establishing a sustainable pathway to doctoral programs at PVAMU through an outreach plan to Inclusive Engineering Consortium member institutions; and (5) developing a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved graduate certificate program in cybersecurity. The project outcomes will contribute to security enhancements in critical applications such as energy, financial, health, education, transportation, and defense sectors. The CREST HBCU-RISE awards support the development of research capability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.