The University of New Orleans has been awarded a $96,000 grant from the U.S. Army Research Office to build equipment used to identify cybersecurity risks. The research will be used to protect critical infrastructure like gas pipelines and power plants.

As part of the study UNO researchers will create a “test bed” of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems similar to those used to automate manufacturing and industrial processes. This “test bed” will include scale versions of a pipeline, a water treatment plant and a power plant, which can be used to create accurate simulations of each system.

According to Irfan Ahmed, an assistant professor of computer science and the grant’s principle investigator, security has become more important now that these types of systems are increasingly interconnected through the Internet or corporate networks and are more vulnerable to outside threats.

“This equipment will greatly enhance UNO’s ability to deliver the full spectrum of cybersecurity skills needed in the profession,” Ahmed said.

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