Brock LaMeres

Congratulations to Dr. LaMeres and Dr. Izurieta on a new Idaho National Laboratory contract

Title: Security Analysis of Field Programmable Gate Arrays
Funding: $255,000 (3years) / $85,000 year limit
Agency: Idaho National Laboratory
Dates: Jan 17, 2024 through Sep 21, 2026

Description: Field Programable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are displacing microcontrollers and microprocessors within embedded and industrial control systems (ICS) because they provide additional capabilities and increased flexibility. FPGAs can be customized at the hardware level to perform complex operations in parallel, making quick work of tasks such as analyzing video and evaluating broad sets of input data to rapidly execute safety critical functions. Programmable hardware systems based on FPGAs provide increased adaptability to changing requirements throughout the control system lifecycle. Many consider these FPGA based platforms to be more secure than microcontroller based embedded systems. However, as FPGAs become more ubiquitous in systems such as automated driver assistance systems (ADAS), military sensors/fire-control systems, and nuclear reactor safety controls, efforts of malicious actors to infiltrate and compromise them will intensify.

Methods to protect both electronic hardware and software from compromise by malicious actors and defend against intellectual property theft are the focus of many current research efforts. These efforts are largely focused on computer platforms, embedded systems, and conventional integrated circuits because they are so widely used. Some of these new methods and technologies can potentially be adapted to protect FPGA based systems and software. This proposed LDRD will examine current research to identify technology candidates and experimentally validate their adaptability to FPGA platforms. Results will be published and developed as proof-of-concept capabilities demonstrating the potential protections offered for FPGAs.

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Congratulations Dr. Bradley Whitaker on a new Idaho National Laboratory contract

Title:Artificial Neural Network Enabled Decode of Gigabit Ethernet (AN2EDGE)
Funding: $210,000
Agency: Idaho National Laboratory
Dates: Jan 4, 2024 through September 2026 (current contract ends September 2025)
Description:We are developing machine learning algorithms to enable decode of full-duplex network signals as they appear when passively observed. This applied cyber-physical research will leverage advances in artificial intelligence to countervail physical phenomena resulting from the superposition of electromagnetic waves. Success will allow passive capture and decode of data from Gigabit Ethernet and related communication protocols without prior knowledge of what either endpoint has transmitted. The resulting new technology will enable a completely passive device to interface with and collect data from all communications networks without risk to critical systems resulting from disturbance or delay of signals.
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Meeting with Senator Tester's Office

Dr. Clem Izurieta and Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold met with the Office of Senator Tester to discuss current efforts undertaken by Montana State University’s Software Engineering and Cybersecurity Laboratory (SECL).  The laboratory is heavily funded by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (DHS S&T) to address a critical need identified by the federal government in Software Quality Assurance (SQA).  Specifically, SECL is developing new and innovative approaches using Hierarchical SQA (HSQA) approaches.  The implications of this work advance research, education and workforce development in the State of Montana that simultaneously address a critical national need.

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Gallatin College receives CAE designation

Congratulations to Gallatin College on achieving the Centers of Academic Excellence Designation for their cybersecurity program. This is a significant achievement, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ronda Black, Stephanie Gray, and the entire Gallatin College community for this well-deserved recognition. Learn more here:

Gallatin Cyber
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Congratulations to Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold

Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold's paper received the Best Paper Award for Women in Cyber Security at the premiere IEEE Cyber Security & Resilience Conference hosted in Venice, Italy. The paper entitled New Version, New Answer: Investigating Cybersecurity Static-Analysis Tool Findings utilizes a data science approach to systematically investigate challenges inherent in the automated detection of weaknesses and vulnerabilities in compiled code. Reinhold led the research team, which included the mentoring of two undergraduate students, Travis Weber and Coleen Lemak; the team also included Montana State University professor, Dr. Clemente Izurieta, and postdoctoral scholar, Dr. Derek Reimanis. The award was sponsored by the Italy chapter of Women4Cyber, the European Cyber Security Organization whose objective is "to promote, encourage and support the participation of women in the field of cybersecurity." Reinhold is the co-director of the Software Engineering and Cyber Security Lab and the primary advisor for four women seeking graduate degrees in the Gianforte School of Computing at Montana State University.