UTEP Secures $500,000 Grant to Boost Nuclear Cybersecurity with AI

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has been awarded a significant grant of $500,000 from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enhance the cybersecurity of nuclear power plants through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This initiative aims to strengthen defenses against an increasing number of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure.

Leading the project is Sajedul Talukder, Ph.D., an assistant professor of computer science at UTEP, alongside Syed Bahauddin Alam, Ph.D., from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Their collaborative effort focuses on implementing advanced cybersecurity measures that adapt to the evolving landscape of digital warfare.

Transforming Cybersecurity Approaches

One of the key innovations in Talukder’s project involves redesigning network defenses from a single perimeter to a more complex, onion-like layering system. This method provides each device and system with its own line of digital protection, significantly complicating the potential for attackers to navigate the network once inside. Talukder’s team emphasizes that “instead of relying on one big perimeter defense, the system creates layers of security that make it far harder for attackers to move around if they ever get in.”

Additional components of the project include an AI-driven monitoring system designed to detect and respond to suspicious activities in real-time. Moreover, a virtual replica of critical systems within a nuclear plant will be created to test and strengthen defenses against both current and emerging cyber threats.

The shift from a traditionally reactive to a proactive cybersecurity stance is a central theme of this initiative. Talukder noted, “Together, these innovations shift nuclear cybersecurity from being reactive — waiting for attacks to happen — to being proactive. It’s an intelligent shield that adapts and evolves as quickly as the threats themselves.” This forward-thinking approach positions UTEP at the forefront of efforts to mitigate risks that could endanger national security.

Empowering the Next Generation

This project not only focuses on immediate cybersecurity enhancements but also serves as a dynamic training platform for future cybersecurity professionals. The grant will provide valuable opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to engage in hands-on AI research. Such experience is crucial in today’s job market, where there is a high demand for graduates skilled in technology.

Ken Meissner, Ph.D., dean of the UTEP College of Engineering, has highlighted the broader implications of this grant. He stated, “For UTEP, this award places the University among an elite group of institutions helping to define the future of nuclear security and highlights our growing contribution to solving one of the nation’s toughest problems.”

With this initiative, UTEP is not only enhancing cybersecurity protocols at nuclear facilities but also fostering a new generation of experts equipped to tackle the challenges posed by cyber threats in the future.