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

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has received a significant boost in its cybersecurity initiatives with a grant of $500,000 from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This funding aims to enhance the cybersecurity frameworks of nuclear power plants through innovative applications of artificial intelligence (AI). The project focuses on developing advanced security measures to protect against the increasingly sophisticated threats posed by cyber warfare.

Leading the initiative is Sajedul Talukder, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at UTEP. He is collaborating with Syed Bahauddin Alam, Ph.D., from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Together, they are working to implement a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity that moves beyond traditional perimeter defenses.

Innovative Cybersecurity Framework

One of the central features of Talukder’s plan is the creation of an onion-like layering of security measures. Instead of relying on a single barrier, each device and system within the nuclear facility will have its own protective layer. This design significantly complicates any potential intruder’s ability to navigate through the network, making unauthorized access more challenging.

Talukder’s team is also developing an AI-driven monitoring system, which will detect and respond to suspicious activities in real time. A virtual replica of key systems at nuclear plants will be established to test and reinforce defenses against both existing and emerging cyber threats.

“Together, these innovations shift nuclear cybersecurity from being reactive—waiting for attacks to happen—to being proactive,” Talukder stated. This approach represents a fundamental change in the strategy for defending critical infrastructure, aiming to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Training the Next Generation of Experts

Beyond its immediate cybersecurity applications, this grant will also serve as a training platform for students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The project will provide hands-on experience in AI research, equipping future cybersecurity experts with the skills required in today’s job market, which increasingly demands technological proficiency.

Ken Meissner, Ph.D., the dean of the UTEP College of Engineering, emphasized the broader implications of this funding. “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,” Meissner noted.

The grant not only underscores UTEP’s commitment to advancing nuclear security but also positions the university as a key player in the field of cybersecurity research. As digital threats continue to escalate, initiatives like this one are essential for ensuring the safety and security of critical infrastructure.