The conference began with tutorials and workshops on the first day. The second day opened with keynote speeches by Andrea Goldsmith, Dean of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Princeton University, and Matt Jones, Executive Director of Global Technology Platforms at Ford Motor Company. Andrea Goldsmith delivered a talk titled “Reimagining 6G,” discussing the potential structure of 6G, along with the innovations and breakthroughs necessary to achieve this vision. Matt Jones’ presentation, titled “From Assembly Line to Digital Algorithms: Ford’s Agile Approach to Software-Defined Vehicles,” examined Ford’s transition to an agile, DevOps-driven development process, establishing a robust software framework capable of meeting the complexity and speed demands for continuous innovation.

This was followed by a panel discussion on “6G: Where and When,” chaired by Prof. Robert Calderbank from Duke University. The panelists included Tom Rondeau, Principal Director for the FutureG Office at the US Department of Defense; Charlie Zhang, Senior Vice President and head of Standards and Mobility Innovation at Samsung Research America; Junyi Li, Vice President of Engineering and Qualcomm Fellow at Qualcomm; Jonathan Ashdown, senior electronics engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, NY, USA; Scott Migaldi, leader of standards development for current and next-generation wireless systems at T-Mobile USA; and Ali Khayrallah, Senior Technical Advisor with the Advanced Technology Group at Ericsson in Santa Clara, CA.

The conference continued with paper presentations focused on topics such as Privacy and Security, Deep Learning in Communication, Heterogeneous Networks, 6G in Vehicular Communication, Unmanned Vehicle Communications, Antennas, Propagation and RF Design, Satellite Networks, Localization and Positioning, and Protocols and Services for Wireless Networks.

Agenda Link: Conference Program - VTC2024-Fall Washington (vtsociety.org)

When asked to summarize his experience, An Truong said,

“I thoroughly enjoyed presenting at my first academic conference. It was an excellent opportunity to network with new colleagues, especially young researchers, and engage in discussions about their research outcomes. I also enjoyed celebrating the 100th edition anniversary of the VTC conference.

Attending the conference provided me with valuable insights and sparked many ideas for my research, such as utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to generate comprehensive datasets. It was also a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow researchers and professors in my field, exchanging research topics and discussing potential future collaborations."

Between the 17th and 19th of September, Cyber AI DTP student Ryan McGaughey attended the 2nd IEEE International Conference on Federated Learning Technologies and Applications (FLTA24). The event was hosted in the spectacular NH Valencia Las Artes Hotel, Valencia, Spain.

The conference was held in tandem with the 4th Intelligent Cybersecurity conference (ICSC2024), with keynote speakers and panel discussions bringing the two conferences together. Given Ryan’s research into the security and integrity of federated learning systems, combining these concepts was truly insightful and thought provoking and allowed him to converse with top experts in each field.

This included top researchers such as Schahram Dustdar, an expert in distributed systems and elastic computing with over 52 thousand citations across his career and a H-Index of 97, putting him as one of the top researchers in all of computer science. This insightful talk was followed by talks from other great experts such as Ziyue Xu, Peter Richtarik, Omprakash Kaiwartya and Nicholas Lane from Flower Labs. These keynotes were backed by presentations on interesting new research papers submitted to the conference.

Asked to give his thoughts on the conference, Ryan said:

“I really enjoyed engaging with both top researchers in the field and with up-and-coming researchers in both federated learning and cybersecurity. It was insightful to go to a conference as an auditor to see how the events operate to use for the rest of my studies and future career in research.”

The conference took place over 5 days. Monday opened with a welcome from Professor Marcos Curty of  Universidade de Vigo, followed by a tutorial talk on “Semi device independent quantum correlations for cryptography” by Armin Tavakoli of Lund University. The conference proceeded with a series of invited talks and tutorials on a range of topics such as

• device side channels,
• protocol security proofs,
• quantum networks
• and much more.

Thursday featured an industry panel discussion where commercial quantum cryptographic devices and services were a focus of attention, outlining future directions for Quantum Key Distribution with representatives from IDQuantique, LuxQuanta, ThinkQuantum, QoolNet, FragmentiX and AIT.

Agenda link: https://2024.qcrypt.net/schedule/#day_2024-09-02

Asked to give his thoughts on the conference, Niall said:

"It was great to get involved with the larger research community and to really get an idea of where research and industry focus is moving with respect to quantum cryptographic devices and services. Engaging with researchers on a more personal level during the poster session was particularly enjoyable. Although I wasn’t presenting at this conference I learned so much and gathered plenty of ideas for my own research to come.

A particular personal highlight was  a group excursion to the Cies Islands as part of the conference. These Islands were a picturesque nature reserve about an hours boat ride off from Vigo Harbour. From here we could freely roam around the Islands for the rest of the day. It was a brilliant experience and such a great change of pace from the busy schedule of the conference."

BSides Belfast is part of the global BSides series of cybersecurity conferences, renowned for fostering innovation, collaboration, and education in the cybersecurity industry. For the Cyber AI DTP students, attending the event provided invaluable exposure to cutting-edge discussions and insights from leading experts, alongside opportunities to network with professionals and peers from across the region.

DTP Students Present at BSides Belfast

A highlight of this year's conference was the participation of two Cyber AI DTP students, Mark Megarry and Matthew Reaney, who presented their research at the event. Their presentations showcased the high level of research being conducted within the Cyber AI DTP program and provided a platform for them to share their findings with a diverse audience of industry professionals and fellow researchers.

Both students were met with great interest and engaged in thought-provoking discussions following their talks. Their participation not only highlighted the depth of talent within the Cyber AI DTP program but also underscored the importance of supporting emerging local talent in the growing field of cybersecurity.

A Hub for Cybersecurity

Belfast’s reputation as a hub for IT and cybersecurity companies is growing rapidly, with global giants and innovative startups establishing operations in the city. Events like BSides play a crucial role in nurturing the local cybersecurity ecosystem, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development. For the Cyber AI DTP students, this event represented a chance to be at the forefront of this thriving sector.

In addition to the presentations, the conference featured insightful talks from leading cybersecurity experts, offering students a front-row seat to the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the industry. Topics ranged from threat intelligence and ethical hacking to data privacy and the evolving landscape of AI in cybersecurity.

Building Connections and Shaping Future Careers

Attending BSides Belfast also allowed the Cyber AI DTP students to network with peers and industry professionals, providing a platform to discuss their research, exchange ideas, and form connections that could shape their future careers. The conference provided a supportive environment for the students to engage with the broader cybersecurity community and gain insights that could inform their academic and professional journeys.

As the Cyber AI DTP students look toward their futures in the field, events like BSides Belfast provide essential opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth. 

For more information about BSides Belfast, visit BSides Belfast.

At the summer school, the students had the opportunity to hear from leading experts in their field, including Ranga Desikachari from Crypto Quantique known for his pioneering work on quantum-secure encryption technologies, and Dr. Shweta Shinde from ETH Zurich, recognised for her innovative research in secure hardware design. The event also featured influential talks from industry leaders, offering invaluable insights into the latest developments and practical applications in secure hardware and embedded systems.

Ryan Bevin shared his experience, stating, "The RISE Summer School was great to be able to meet new people and get insight into different areas of research adjacent to my own. It helps foster new ideas for my own research." Ryan’s feedback highlights the importance of the networking opportunities and the cross-disciplinary knowledge gained at the event, which are instrumental in broadening research perspectives and sparking innovation.

Zain Shabbir also expressed enthusiasm about the summer school, saying, "The RISE Summer School was a fabulous opportunity to meet new people, especially the experts from my field of research. It was also helpful in introducing some innovative ideas related to my work. Especially, the talks from industrial representatives were fruitful." Zain’s comments reflect the value of engaging with both academic and industry experts, which provides fresh ideas and practical insights beneficial to ongoing research.

The RISE Summer School plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the realm of secure hardware and embedded systems.  You can find more information about RISE here. 

The conference was opened by keynote speaker, Stephen Fisher, a cyber security researcher working within the Airbus Cyber Innovation team. Stephen delivered a talk titled ‘No single point of failure mentality in OT’. Discussing the removal of existing single points of failure to improve the dependability of ICS and Industry 4.0.

This was followed by a panel discussion on OT Security, chaired by Prof. Thomas Brandstetter, Limes Security/ FHSTP, Austria. Panellists included: Prof. Leandros Maglaras, Edinburgh Napier University, Prof. Helmut Kaufmann, Airbus and Bradley Carr, Airbus.

Paper presentations followed, with a focus on the security aspects of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Operational Technology (OT), Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Smart City, or Industry 4.0. 

The best paper was awarded to Pouria Rad, Gokila Dorai and Mohsen Jozani, who presented a talk Titled: ‘From Seaweed to Security’.

Matthew commented “It was like something straight out of a spy movie, showcasing fingerprint scanners be spoofed by the use of fake fingers made from 3D printed moulds.”

See their full paper ‘Harnessing Alginate to Challenge IoT Fingerprint Authentication’ here: https://doi.org/10.1145/3664476.3670924

When asked to summarise his experience Matthew said

"I really enjoyed my first time presenting at an academic conference. It was great to interact with other researchers at the for-front of area and listen to talks about the fascinating research taking place around the world. I also have to mention the stunning meal afterwards at the 284-year-old restaurant the ‘10er Marie’!”

Matthew’s full paper ‘Network Intrusion Response using Deep Reinforcement Learning in an Aircraft IT-OT Scenario’ can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1145/3664476.3670917

The full conference proceedings can be found here: https://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/3664476

The T G Christie Award, valued at £1,000, is dedicated to recognising outstanding postgraduate research in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Mark’s exceptional work in the field of Cyber AI, which bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications, has distinguished him as a deserving recipient of this accolade.

Previous awardees include notable scholars such as Andrew Bolster and Che Cameron, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Mark Megarry joins their ranks with a research focus that promises to push the boundaries of Cyber AI.

In his winning research, Mark has explored innovative methodologies for enhancing the security of radio access networks, an area of increasing importance in today's connected landscape.

The Cyber AI DTP community extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mark for this achievement. The award highlights his dedication, expertise, and potential in advancing Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

This event provided a platform for our students to present their cutting-edge research to industry leaders, aiming to foster further engagement and collaboration.

SPRITE+ is a UK-wide network that brings together researchers, industry professionals, and public sector representatives to address challenges in cybersecurity, privacy, identity, and trust. SPRITE+ Co-director Professor Sakir Sezer of CSIT plays a pivotal role in this network, contributing to the development and dissemination of innovative cybersecurity solutions.

During the event, Ryan, David, Alperen, and Matthew presented their innovative projects in 3 minute pitches, receiving valuable feedback and insights from both industry professionals and fellow academics. This interaction not only highlighted the practical applications of their research but also opened doors for potential future partnerships.

The event, hosted at Plexal, a renowned innovation hub in London dedicated to supporting startups and scaleups in technology and cybersecurity, also featured a series of presentations from other academics, offering a broader perspective on current trends and challenges in the field. This experience has been instrumental in enriching our students' academic journey and aligning their research with industry needs.

We are proud of our students' achievements and look forward to seeing the impact of their work in the cybersecurity landscape.

Niall and Tuan arrived at Qualcomm's Penrose Dock Building and were greeted warmly by the Qualcomm team. After checking in and a brief tour of the facility, the students prepared for their main engagement—a presentation of their cutting-edge research in cybersecurity.

Niall and Tuan presented their work to an audience of over 50 Qualcomm security team members, both in person and online from Cork and the France site. Their presentation was well-received, sparking numerous questions and lively discussions. This interaction provided the students with invaluable feedback, aligning their research more closely with industry needs and expectations. A quick photo session followed, capturing the collaborative spirit of the event.

The visit concluded with a lunch session, allowing for further informal discussions and networking. Niall and Tuan had the opportunity to connect more personally with Qualcomm’s team, discussing potential future collaborations and gaining deeper industry-specific insights.

This visit to Qualcomm was a resounding success, providing Niall and Tuan with enhanced perspectives on their research, valuable industry feedback, and meaningful connections for future collaboration. The positive reception from Qualcomm validates the importance and impact of their work, exemplifying the mutual benefits of academia-industry engagements.

We extend our gratitude to the Qualcomm team for their warm hospitality and support. This visit marks a promising step towards stronger ties between the Cyber AI DTP program and industry leaders like Qualcomm.

Mark's presentation focused on leveraging machine learning algorithms to enhance anomaly detection in network traffic, a critical aspect of cybersecurity defense mechanisms. The research showcased how advanced AI techniques can significantly improve the ability to identify and respond to malicious activities in real-time, thus fortifying cyber defenses against evolving threats.

An To delved into the realm of secure and privacy-preserving data sharing techniques, addressing the growing need for robust methods to exchange sensitive information while safeguarding individual privacy rights. This research sheds light on novel encryption protocols and access control mechanisms designed to enable secure data collaboration across disparate entities without compromising confidentiality.

Both presentations received enthusiastic feedback from the NI Cyber community, underscoring the importance of fostering collaboration between academia and industry in tackling cybersecurity challenges. The event not only provided valuable exposure for the students but also facilitated knowledge exchange and networking opportunities crucial for advancing cybersecurity innovation in Northern Ireland and beyond.

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like these play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders and driving impactful research that strengthens our digital defenses against emerging threats.

Beltech, renowned for its fusion of technology, innovation, and industry insights, provided an ideal platform for these budding cybersecurity and AI experts to expand their knowledge horizons. Let's take a closer look at their experiences:

"Attending Beltech was interesting as it allowed me to see how different companies in industry are utilising AI and how I could utilise AI technologies, such as Github Copilot, to improve the development of my research code.
Additionally it was great to see industry advances in cybersecurity. Talks on areas such as Post-Quantum Cryptography, with Marcin Pawlowski, and Zero Trust Architecture with Jing Xu helped explain the cutting edge in cybersecurity with great levels of clarity. "

Joshua Andrews

"I found the GitHub Co-pilot deep dive very useful. It was given by the vice president Martin Woodward. I was always hesitant about using something like this but I find it might be useful for me and my code development."

Ryan Bevin

"I enjoyed attending Beltech, the combination of industry and academic talks provided a valuable insight into the direction that AI and cybersecurity is taking in Belfast and further afield. It is clear that the way we develop applications is going to change with the introduction of tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisper, which leverage AI to provide predictive suggestions and analysis on code."

David Kirch

"Beltech helped to demonstrate how the commercial world is adopting the latest academic tools and research. With a great range of speakers from local industry on a wide range of topics, I'm excited to see what they plan to present next year."

Matthew Reaney

Together these students epitomise the spirit of innovation and inquiry fostered by the QUB Cyber AI DTP. Their participation in the Beltech Conference not only enriched their own understanding but also contributed to the collective discourse surrounding cybersecurity and AI. As they return to their academic pursuits, they carry with them a wealth of insights and experiences that will undoubtedly shape their future endeavours in the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen's University Belfast proudly announces that Mark Megarry, a PhD student, won the ‘Best Student Paper Award’ at the International Conference on Industrial Networks and Intelligent Systems (INISCOM) held in February 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights CSIT's commitment to advancing research and innovation in cybersecurity.

Mark Megarry, funded under CSIT’s Doctoral Training Programme in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science (EEECS), received the award for the paper titled Understanding the Security Implications in O-RAN with Abusive Adversaries. Co-authored with Antonino Masaracchia, Muhammad Fahim, Vishal Sharma, and Trung Q. Duong of Queen's University Belfast, the paper highlights groundbreaking research on enhancing security measures within O-RAN architecture to counteract abusive adversaries effectively.

The awarded paper discusses the challenges posed by abusive adversaries in O-RAN systems, using a novel approach that combines Markov Decision Processes (MDP) and Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS) to predict and mitigate potential Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. This innovative research provides valuable insights for network operators on securing offloading operations against sophisticated cyber threats.

Upon receiving the award, Mark commented, “It is an honour to receive this award so early in my PhD studies. I’m extremely thankful for the support from my co-authors and supervisors, and for the efforts of the conference organisers. With the continued support of Queen’s University Belfast and CSIT, we aim to continue investigating emerging threats against O-RAN networks to secure tomorrow’s communications.

Dr. Vishal Sharma, one of Mark's supervisors and co-authors, also shared his thoughts: "Mark's dedication and our team's hard work have led to this significant achievement. We are grateful for this recognition by INISCOM's programme committee, and it encourages us to continue our pursuit of innovative solutions to protect against cyber threats in open networks."

For more information on the award and INISCOM please visit https://iniscom.eai-conferences.org/2024/