Receiving $1.25 million in federal funding, the University at Albany in New York has launched a new cybersecurity initiative. The funding will be used to acquire advanced technologies and provide support to faculty members involved with the college’s cybersecurity studio.
The Cybersecurity Incident Response Studio at UAlbany recently unveiled its plans to collaborate with cyber and crisis management researchers from various departments within the university. Together, they will offer training and simulation exercises for partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
In a press release, UAlbany Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Thenkurussi Kesavadas, emphasized the increasing threat of cyberattacks in New York and globally. CREST (Cybersecurity Response Studio) leverages AI and advanced immersive technologies to analyze and process large amounts of data, enhancing understanding of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and building resilience.
The studio will extend its cybersecurity support to local governments, non-profit organizations, and small businesses across the state. Both in-person and virtual reality simulations will be available to partners.
Researchers at the studio are committed to developing a user-friendly cyber response toolkit and keeping pace with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape to improve cyber resilience.
According to Eric Stern, interim director of UAlbany’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence, CREST utilizes AI and virtual reality technologies to create an immersive cyber incident response simulation experience. The multidisciplinary team at UAlbany will simulate cyberattacks realistically and innovate techniques for education, training, and preparedness.
Written by Skylar Rispens
Skylar Rispens, a reporter for StateScoop and EdScoop, has a background in education reporting for various newspapers in Montana, where she currently resides.