Research Focus Area 5

Research Focus Area:

Multi-Tiered Cybersecurity and Communications

This focus area addresses the development of robust, layered cybersecurity architectures and resilient communication systems to support distributed operations. It integrates advanced defensive measures, including firewalls, encryption, AI-driven threat detection, and zero-trust protocols, with secure communications infrastructure such as tactical radios, satellite links, and protected networks. These capabilities ensure end-to-end data integrity and seamless connectivity within and across human-machine integrated formations, even in degraded environments.

Digital engineering plays a critical role in multi-tiered cybersecurity and communications by enabling virtualized design, testing, and validation in realistic, high-fidelity simulation environments. Through these network emulations, researchers can replicate adversarial conditions, assess system resilience, and identify vulnerabilities, helping to accelerate innovation and supporting the iterative hardening of system architectures capable of adapting to rapidly evolving threats and operational constraints.