Iowa State hosts first INSuRE cybersecurity workshop in the nation

Iowa State University recently hosted the first pilot program in the country that provided an intense research experience to cybersecurity students during a three-week workshop.

Assistant Professor Berk Gulmezoglu of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was the lead advisor to the 12 students from across the country that were selected for the workshop in Ames, which was funded by the Information Security Research Education (INSuRE) program. Gulmezoglu was assisted by University Professor and Director of the ISU Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach Doug Jacobson, as well as Program Specialist Lindsay Foster.

“Students worked on a cutting-edge cybersecurity research project proposed by Neal Ziring, a Problem Mentor from the National Security Agency. They met with him every week virtually to discuss their ideas and progress. Students who will be the future cybersecurity workforce to secure the nation’s cyber infrastructure had a unique research experience, which is also crucial for the NSA,” Gulmezoglu said. “They worked in small groups and have a better understanding of collaborating with other students on a research project because of this workshop. I also shared my industry and academic experience with them and advised each group on their research progress every day in person.”

The students also participated in several team-building opportunities, like visiting the State Capitol in Des Moines, and hiking Ledges State Park in Boone County.

“It was a priceless opportunity for students to get real-world cybersecurity research experience, and ISU is one of the best universities in the country that can offer the required infrastructure and team-building activities to successfully organize such an extensive workshop,” Gulmezoglu said.