C2SR Activities and News
We showcase the activities and events of UND's Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) since its inception.
Stay updated on our conferences, workshops, presentations, and community engagements as we advance cybersecurity research and education.
C2SR in 2025
Student Success - Conferences, Journals, and Achievements
C2SR Research Published in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials (COMST)
A comprehensive survey on security for distributed energy resources (DERs) i.e., specifically for the distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) was produced by C2SR's Ph.D. student Niroop Sugunaraj in collaboration with universities in the U.S./India/Liechtenstein and U.S. National Labs (i.e., NREL, ANL). The prestigious IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials (COMST) (IF: 34.8) publishes only articles exclusively written for IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials and goes through a rigorous review process before their publication in the quarterly issues. A survey article in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials provides a comprehensive review of developments in a selected area, covering its development from its inception to its current state and beyond, and illustrating its development through liberal citations from the literature.
Successful Acceptance of the Research Journal in Elsevier's Journal of Energy Storage
C2SR student Sriram Prabhakara Rao Published his research work titled "Vehicle-to-Grid technology: Opportunities, challenges, and future prospects for sustainable transportation" in a reputed journal house of Elsevier.
C2SR in 2024
Student Success - Conferences, Journals, and Achievements
Successful Acceptance and Presentation of Research Papers at the 2024 IEEE CARS at University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.
We are thrilled to announce the participation of our research team at the 2024 IEEE CARS at University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. Our C2SR team had presented their state-of-the-art works.
The papers presented included:
- S. P. Rao, R. Sree Tiruvalluru, S. R. Abayankar Balaji, O. Stanley Tomomewo and P. Ranganathan, "Virtual Power Plants Security Challenges, Solutions, and Emerging Trends: A Review,"
- N. Sugunaraj, Z. El Mrabet, P. Ranganathan and W. Semke, "Navigational Errors in Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) – A Short Review,"
- N. Sugunaraj, Z. El Mrabet, P. Ranganathan and W. Semke, "Navigational Dropouts in Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) – A Short Review,"
- L. A. Viviani and P. Ranganathan, "Evaluating the Suitability of LSTM Models for Edge Computing,"
- J. R. Boogaard, S. P. Rao, S. R. A. Balaji and P. Ranganathan, "Digital Twin Models for Cybersecurity Use Cases in Water Utilities and SCADA Systems: A Review,"
- S. R. Mugu, B. Zhang, H. Kolla, S. R. A. Balaji and P. Ranganathan, "Lessons from the CrowdStrike Incident: Assessing Endpoint Security Vulnerabilities and Implications,"
Successful Acceptance and Presentation of Research Papers at the 2024 IEEE NAPS at the University of El-Paso, Texas.
We are thrilled to announce the participation of our research team at the 2024 56th
North American Power Symposium (NAPS)
at the University of El-Paso. Sriram Prabhakara Rao, Niroop Sugunaraj, Mohammad Hamza
Karim, Farishta Rahman, Tanzim Jim Hassan, and Jolene Schmitz presented five impactful
papers.
The papers presented included:
- "Hybrid Energy Storage Systems for Renewable Energy Integration: An Overview" by Sriram Prabhakara Rao and P. Ranganathan.
- "Predicting Power Outages from Ice Storms Using Machine Learning Models with SHAP Interpretability" by Farishta Rahman, TJ Hassan and P. Ranganathan.
- "Modeling and Evaluation of False Data Injection Attacks (FDIA) in DER Inverters" by TJ Hassan, Akshay Ram Ramchandra, and P. Ranganathan.
- "Edge-Enabled AI for Anomaly Detection in Distributed Energy Networks: A Federated Learning Approach" by Mohammad Hamza Karim and P. Ranganathan.
- "Predicting Locational Based Marginal Pricing (LBMP) Using Ridge Regression" by Jolene Shmitz and P. Ranganathan.
- "Applications for Autoencoders in Power Systems" by Niroop Sugunaraj and P. Ranganathan
Research paper presentation at the IEEE CEEGE 2024 in Los Angeles, CA
Our research team's research paper got accepted and presented by C2SR student Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji at the IEEE CEEGE 2024 conference in Los Angeles, CA, where he presented the paper titled "Transformer Neural Networks for Intrusion Diagnostic Unit (IDU) and Anomaly Detection in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)."
C2SR Participation and Research Recognition at IEEE PES T&D 2024 Conference
We are excited to announce our participation in the 2024 IEEE Power and Energy Society Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exhibition in Anaheim, CA. During the event, Our C2SR Student Tanzim Jim Hassan presented his poster and was honored to win third prize in the Graduate Student Poster Contest. Along with Jim, other students including Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji, Farishta Rahman, and Sriram Prabakara Rao presented their research posters in the conference.
Best Oral Presentation Award at the North Dakota Water Quality Conference
We are excited to share that our C2SR Student Dev N. Patel participated in the North Dakota Water Quality Conference in Bismarck, ND, where he delivered an oral presentation. He was honored to receive the Best Oral Presentation award at the conference.
C2SR Research Wins Best Paper Award at IEEE AIIoT
We are proud to announce that our C2SR student Meera Sujatha Gopinath submitted her research paper in the IEEE AIIoT conference in Seattle, WA, and was honored with the Best Paper Award her research titled "Classification of Microcystins based on Temperature Data in North Dakota Lakes."
Successful Acceptance and Presentation of Research papers at the 14th IEEE CCWC 2024 Conference in Las Vegas, NV
We are thrilled to announce the participation of our research team at the 2024 IEEE 14th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC) in Las Vegas, NV. Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji and Akshay Ram Ramchandra presented five impactful papers, with one paper, "Imputing ADS-B/GPS Dropouts using Machine Learning," receiving the Best Presentation Award.
The other papers presented included:
- "Hierarchical Software Framework for Unmanned Aerial Systems: Sensing Layer, Communication Layer, and Control Layer" by Jayapreethi Mohan and P. Ranganathan.
- "A Software Framework for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)" by Meera Sujatha Gopinath and P. Ranganathan.
- "Estimating GPS/ADS-B Dropouts in the Open Sky Network Platform" by Anton Skrudal, Akshay Ram Ramchandra, and P. Ranganathan.
- "Geomagnetic Storm Forecasting Using Machine/Deep Learning Models" by Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji and P. Ranganathan.
These contributions showcase our commitment to advancing research in computing and communication technologies, addressing critical issues, and promoting innovative solutions. Congratulations to all the presenters!
Events
Engaging with NSF Program Director at C2SR
C2SR had productive discussions about the Industry–University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program with Dr. Mohan Kumar, the NSF Program Director for CISE. Thank you, Dr. Kumar, for visiting the Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) and the University of North Dakota (UND). The session was organized to educate and promote our students and staff about NSF grants and proposal writing, fostering a deeper understanding of funding opportunities and collaborative research potential. This engagement is crucial for strengthening our research initiatives and supporting the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
Cybersecurity Representation at 2024 Autonomous Nation TechConnect
We are proud to announce our participation in the 2024 Autonomous Nation TechConnect in Fargo, ND, where we hosted a booth exhibit to showcase the cybersecurity research being conducted at the University of North Dakota (UND). This event provided a valuable platform to engage with industry professionals and share insights into our innovative research initiatives, furthering our commitment to advancing cybersecurity in autonomous systems. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth and contributed to meaningful discussions!
UND C2SR Showcases Cybersecurity Innovations at Cultivate Conference
Thanks to Andrew Jason at Grand Farm for inviting the University of North Dakota (UND) to share our groundbreaking work at the Cultivate Conference in Fargo, ND. This year's event centers around the theme of "Cyber Security in the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain." UND’s College of Engineering & Mines (CEM) and the Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) staff and students proudly participated alongside Ag companies, farmers, venture capitalists, North Dakota State University (NDSU), and state agencies. The conference offered an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of securing our agricultural infrastructure and network with industry leaders, showcasing UND’s leadership in this critical area.
Engagement at the 2024 ASEE NCS Conference
We are excited to share our participation in the 2024 ASEE NCS conference in Kalamazoo, MI, where we conducted a workshop focused on developing effective cybersecurity curriculum. During the event, we also presented an accepted paper titled "Designing Effective Cybersecurity Curriculum: Bridging Disciplines for Next Generation Workforce."
This workshop aimed to foster collaboration among educators and industry professionals to enhance the educational framework for cybersecurity, ensuring that we equip the next generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this critical field. Thank you to all who participated in the discussions and contributed to shaping the future of cybersecurity education!
Celebrating Red River High School IT and Cyber Achievements
It was inspiring to witness the accomplishments of Red River High School students as they earned recognition at local, state, and national levels during the 2023-2024 academic year. A special thanks to teacher Paul Zettler for taking the time to acknowledge their achievements at the IT/CS/cyber celebration event and for inviting UND to participate.
At UND's CARS 2023, three posters were awarded to multiple Red River High School students, showcasing their dedication and talent. Kudos to these hardworking students, and a big thank you to Tony Aukland, MBA, for his support in helping the students succeed.
C2SR Represents UND at the Department of Energy’s Energy Transition Summit
The Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) is pleased to participate in the Department of Energy’s Energy Transition Summit this week in Arlington, VA. We're proud to represent UND with our table at this important event, contributing to discussions on energy and cybersecurity.
C2SR Students Tanzim Jim Hassan, Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji, and Akshay Ram Ramchandra also attended the Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Cloud Strike Workshop, further advancing our expertise in critical infrastructure security.
UND GRAD 2024: Showcasing Innovative Research
At the UND Graduate Research Achievement Day (GRAD) 2024 event, our team participated in presenting their research. C2SR students Tanzim Jim Hassan and Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji showcased their posters highlighting innovative approaches in research
Tanzim Jim Hassan: UAS-guided Electric and Magnetic Field Data Distribution Across Transmission Lines.
Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji: Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions in IoT-based Precision Farming Systems
Recognitions and Awards
UND Recognized as NSA Center for Academic Excellence (CAE-R) in Cybersecurity Research
It is with great pleasure to announce that the National Security Agency (NSA) has officially recognized the University of North Dakota (UND) as a Center for Academic Excellence in Research (CAE-R). This prestigious designation was awarded today during the Induction Ceremony at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas, and is valid until 2029.
A special thanks to the faculty of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) for their unwavering support in achieving this milestone. The NICE program, managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), plays a critical role in advancing cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development across the United States.
Grants
C2SR has been awarded with NSF Industry University Cooperative Research Center Grant
Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) at the University of North Dakota (UND) has been awarded an NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) planning grant to join the proposed Center for Infrastructure Security in the Era of AI (ISEAI). ISEAI focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats in sectors like finance, energy, and healthcare. UND will collaborate with industry and government partners to enhance infrastructure security through AI-driven solutions. This grant underscores our commitment to national security, economic stability, and workforce development.
C2SR in 2023
Student Success - Conferences, Journals, and Achievements
Participation and Research Paper presentation in 55th IEEE NAPS Conference 2023 held in Ashevile, NC, USA.
We are thrilled to announce the participation of our research team at the 2023 55th North American Power Symposium (NAPS). Our C2SR student Tanzim Jim Hassan won first prize in poster competition help parallely during the conference.
IEEE ICRTEC 2023 - NIE, Mysuru, India (Virtual)
C2SR student Meera Sujatha Gopinath won the best paper award titled "Multi-variate Factors Assessment of Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)" for IoT Robotics and Cloud Computing track.
IEEE AIIoT 2023 - Virtual
Meera Sujatha Gopinath presented her research title "Classification of Microcystins Based on Nutrient Concentration Using Machine Learning Models" during the IEEE AIIoT 2023 conference.
IEEE EIT 2023 - Romeoville, IL, USA
C2SR team presented their work on "Correlation of Egg counts, Micro-nutrients, and NDVI Distribution for Accurate Tracking of SCN Population Density Detection" during the conference.
IEEE UEMCON 2023 - New York Citry, NY, USA
C2SR team presented their work on "Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions in IoT-based Precision Farming Systems" and "Predicting Excess Energy and Estimating Users for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Services Using Machine Learning" during the conference.
Events
Cyberforce 2023 - Chicago, Illinois, USA
The UND C2SR team participated in the DoE Cyberforce Competition and placed 49th out of 107 teams that competed across the USA.
CYBERCON 2023 - Bismarck, ND, USA
Booth Exhibit hosts to represent Cybersecurity research at UND.
GRIDSECCON 2023 - Quebec, QC, Canada
Presented our ongoing efforts and research works on Substation Physical Security and Surveillance.
UCAR (NOAA) - Grand Forks, ND, USA
C2SR team collaborated with National Lab UCAR for seeting up 3D-PAWS Automatic Weather Station Setup in C2SR Laboratory.
Resiliency Control and Architectures Workshop - Grand Forks, ND, USA
Hosted with more than 100+ registrations and multi-collaborations with national labs and universities. A special workshop in collaboration with INL to educate researchers on smart grid resiliency control and architectures.
2023 DOE Cybersecurity Conference - Minneapolis, USA
Booth Exhibit hosts to represent ongoing Cybersecurity research efforts at UND and for fostering relationships with partnership security industries.
Grants
DOE-CESER: Adaptive Cybersecurity for Distributed Energy Resources
UND C2SR received federal funding for developing an Automated ML (AutoML) pipeline specifically tailored for unsupervised training of transformer neural networks.