On 6 March 2024, six high school interns from Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering (ASCTE) gave a Cyber Project In-Process Review (IPR) Presentation at the Innovation Center of Trideum Corporation Headquarters in Huntsville, AL. Attendees included Trideum Corporation employees, guests from several schools, community organizations, and industry partners. A special thanks go to the local congressional staffers who were able to attend.
The project focused on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), a specialized area of cybersecurity that presents unique challenges and poses expansive national security risks. CPS was chosen because of the opportunity to enhance local workforce capabilities in this area, and because successful breaches can lead to physical consequences, such as disruptions to critical infrastructure and services.
Pictured Above: ASCTE Interns who presented along with the Trideum employees who had the pleasure of participating.
The team of interns selected a hydropower dam as the project’s focus and designed virtual models of both the dam and its powerhouse, building physical tabletop models using 3D printing technology. The tabletop models included simulated Industrial Control Systems (ICS), with controllers and sensors for more realistic lighting, HVAC, access control, elevators, and other infrastructural components.
Once the models are complete, the interns will configure the control systems in accordance with cybersecurity best practices. At the end of the school year, Trideum will use its Cyber Table Top Tool (CT3) and lead the interns through a wargaming exercise to assess the cybersecurity of the dam’s ICS network and the powerhouse’s Facilities Related Control Systems (FRCS).
The event highlighted the talent ASCTE is developing in tomorrow’s workforce. The school fosters the success of the next generation of leaders in cyber technology and engineering disciplines vital to governmental, commercial, and academic sectors. Trideum is very fortunate to have a strong relationship with ASCTE and will be doing similar projects with ASCTE and other schools in the future. Trideum is always looking for good partners on innovative, impactful endeavors like this. If you would like to be involved in any way, please reach out to us.
