CYBER-CARE is proud to be featured in the University of Houston Spring/Summer 2024 Magazine, highlighting our leading role in safeguarding America's transportation systems against cyber threats. As a Tier 1 university center, recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, our consortium is at the forefront of advancing cybersecurity measures to protect connected and automated vehicles and critical infrastructure. This feature outlines our ongoing projects and the innovative technologies we are deploying to enhance national security and public safety.

On behalf of the United States Department of Transportation University Research Center, we are pleased to announce that the 2024 Symposium on CyberCare will be held from October 17th (Thursday) to October 19th (Saturday), 2024, at the Student Center South, University of Houston, TX. The theme of the symposium is “Safeguarding Transportation Cybersecurity in the Digital Age.” The main objective of the symposium is to provide a forum for professionals to discuss and address the pressing needs of cybersecurity, connected and automated vehicles (CAV), AI applications, transportation data security, advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), next-gen transportation cybersecurity, and how digital and AI technologies are revolutionizing transportation.

CYBER-CARE's inaugural workshop unfolds at the historic Morrison-Clark Inn & Restaurant in Washington, DC. Centered on "Cybersecure Transit: Innovation at the Intersection of AI, IoT, and Smart Mobility," the event offers a profound exploration of leading-edge developments in transportation security. Attendees anticipate a deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI, IoT, and smart mobility, promising insights into the future of cyber-secure transit.

Our paper, A Deep Reinforcement Learning Network for Traffic Light Cycle Control, has received the prestigious IEEE Best Land Transportation Paper Award for the year 2023. It proposes an innovative solution using deep reinforcement learning and real-time traffic data to optimize traffic light durations, reducing cumulative waiting time. By dividing intersections into grids and employing advanced optimization techniques like dueling networks, our approach shows promising results in simulations for efficient traffic light control using SUMO.

Talk is about The mutual needs and benefits of AI and cybersecurity have been widely recognized. AI techniques are expected to enhance cybersecurity by assisting human system managers with automated monitoring, analysis, and responses to adversarial attacks. Conversely, it is essential to guard AI technologies from unintended uses and hostile exploitation by leveraging cybersecurity practices. The interplay between AI/machine learning, and cybersecurity introduces new opportunities and challenges in the security of AI as well as AI for cybersecurity.

The collaborative "Train the Trainers" grant focuses on grooming next-generation leaders in data science for cybersecurity within underrepresented communities. Prairie View Texas A&M, Alabama A&M, and the University of Houston (UH) are the key partners driving this initiative. With a total funding of $499,000, the University of Houston secures $325,000 to spearhead its role in this pivotal project.

70 leaders, teachers, and staff from T.H. Rogers School embarked on an enlightening educational journey to the CYBER-CARE Center and Human-Centered AI Lab. This visit provides them with a firsthand experience of cutting-edge technology and research in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, fostering hands-on learning, collaboration, and innovation. Such initiatives underscore the school's unwavering commitment to equipping students with the necessary skills for success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Lu Gao, University of Houston associate professor and CYBER-CARE co-PI, teams up with Texas A&M University to clinch a $459,000 TxDOT grant. Their collaborative endeavor focuses on leveraging innovative pavement data analysis to improve road safety while also contributing valuable insights to cybersecurity research. This synergistic initiative holds the potential to revolutionize both road safety practices and transportation infrastructure security, benefiting communities and stakeholders alike.

Leading the Way to Cyber Safety on Roads and Highways" signifies a proactive commitment to securing modern transportation systems against cyber threats. This involves embracing cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and implementing regulations and standards to protect all road users. The goal is to ensure the safety and reliability of connected and autonomous vehicles, infrastructure, and communication networks while preventing cyberattacks with real-world consequences.