The project I am a part of is the SHURE-Grid. This summer research opportunity looks at researching and implementing CIE (Cyber-Informed Engineering) into large companies and possible small companies and startups. Cyber-Informed Engineering essentially is engineering the cyber security aspect into the product or technology at the beginning rather than simply tacking the security aspect onto the end product, which “engineers-out” possible cyber security risks. CIE applies to anything with digital connectivity, monitoring, or control. My smaller team consisting of Evan Wang, Shanker Pillai, and Kameren Jouhal​ in the SHURE-Grid specifically is looking to work with the University of Pittsburgh and Idaho National Laboratory to justify Cyber-Informed Engineering, and look at its application regarding the energy grid. We are looking to provide guidelines in implementing CIE to different systems. We will provide aspects such as cost, timetables, and potential benefits to justify implementing CIE in the real world.

My research mentor is Dr. Daniel Cole. This research is important because Cyber-Informed Engineering is the future. With the ever-growing need of securing data, information, and other electronics from harmful attacks via adversaries, CIE provides a way to eliminate possible threats at the beginning of production and providing better security while ultimately being more cost efficient. Implementation of strategies consisting of consequence focused designing, securing information architecture, and resilient layered defenses are all strong examples of CIE strategies.

My goal is to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh in 4 years with above a 3.75 GPA and a bachelors degree. I hope that straight out of college I can attain a job offer in the cyber security industry. This research opportunity will help me pursue this goal because it should help in the experience category. I am hoping that I can use this research opportunity to help bolster my resume and make me more marketable for an internship next summer or a real job post graduation. I am currently hesitant on if I want to attend a graduate program and continue research, so this opportunity will also help me decide if I want to do research post-graduation. SHURE-Grid will help get my foot in the door for the cyber security industry.

I am currently pursuing an information science major with a focus in cyber security and a business management minor. Something unique about me is that I am a first generation American citizen, my father immigrated from Belgium and my mother immigrated from Taiwan.