Purdue researchers join Rolls-Royce, Carnegie Mellon network to create cyber-resilient systems

(Purdue University graphic/Julie Sadler)

Proposed research at Purdue University is developing innovative solutions using artificial intelligence to enhance the security of current and future Rolls-Royce platforms powered by the company’s propulsion systems.

Shaoshuai Mou, an assistant professor in aeronautics and astronautics, is the leading principal investigator on a project focused on the integration of artificial intelligence with classical theories for intrusion detection in resource-limited embedded systems. He is joined in the project by co-PI Ding Zhao, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

The project is one of three from Purdue accepted by Rolls-Royce as part of a newly launched Cybersecurity Technology Research Network, which the company announced today (April 22). The network, which is a partnership between Rolls-Royce, Purdue University’s Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) and Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab, is focused on improving the cybersecurity for platforms powered by the company’s propulsion systems.

The Cybersecurity Technology Research Network is the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership between Purdue and Rolls-Royce, one that continues to strengthen the state’s economy. As a Rolls-Royce global University Technology Partnership, Purdue is recognized as a critical part of the company’s technology and development strategy. Through this new network, Rolls-Royce can access the broad expertise of Purdue’s researchers, who lead in cyber-physical systems with a focus on security, autonomy and resiliency.

Collaborations in recent years have included the construction of the Purdue Technology Center Aerospace, a facility in West Lafayette where the company conducts research and development for jet engine components, and a new turbine test rig at Zucrow Laboratories on the West Lafayette campus. The partnership between Rolls-Royce, Purdue and the state of Indiana was supported in part by a $6 million commitment over three years by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

“Purdue’s involvement with Rolls-Royce underscores the importance of industry and academic collaboration to address emerging cyber and cyber-physical threats,” said Theresa Mayer, executive vice president for research and partnerships. “Our researchers can leverage their expertise and perspective to identify projects and develop solutions to challenges facing these industries today.”

As part of his research project, Mou is focused on developing techniques for cybersecurity that works well in systems that must operate in harsh environments with high temperature and significant noise, such as an aircraft. The research will look to integrate recent advances in artificial intelligence and learning with classical optimization theories in developing these new techniques.

The research also will explore how to enhance security resilience for embedded systems.

“This project shows great promise in empowering embedded systems with intelligent, resource-efficient cybersecurity capability,” said Dongyan Xu, director of CERIAS and the Samuel Conte Professor of Computer Science.

In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, organizations face an ever-growing array of disruptive events, security threats and risks. Traditional reactive approaches to security intelligence often leave businesses vulnerable and ill-prepared to anticipate and mitigate emerging threats that could impact the safety of their people, facilities or operations.

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