A team of computer science students participated in the Cyber Resiliency and Measurement Challenge (CRAM) by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). The goal of the challenge was to develop algorithms to measure a system’s cyber defensive capabilities against a full spectrum of threats and to calculate the probability of failure against various threats.
Participants were instructed to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to design and train algorithms that automate the cyber resiliency assessment. The team, among 14 from various universities selected to compete, consisted of Ozlem Polat, Samson Carter, Andrew Ballard and Shayan Akhoondan, all undergraduate students in the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering.
“This challenge presented our team with a new type of problem, as we all have a background in analytics and data science and no experience with cybersecurity,” Carter said. “However, it was a profoundly compelling learning experience that opened my eyes to new potential career opportunities and personal interests.”
CRAM consists of three phases culminating in an in-person demonstration that was judged by a panel of representatives from NSWCDD.
The students made it to phase two where they were invited to begin developing the proposed tool. They had five weeks to develop the models and algorithms for judging in the third phase of the competition held at the University of Mary Washington Dahlgren Campus. While this team did not win the challenge, they were thrilled by the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real world situations.
“This event allowed us to apply advanced theories from our coursework in a highly practical and impactful manner, tackling real-world problems in cybersecurity under the guidance of esteemed faculty,” Polat said.
By Drew Brown
Marketing and Communications Specialist