The event, titled 鈥淎I-Assisted Cybersecurity Clinic Operations,鈥� will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Attendees can register at .

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the use of artificial intelligence is becoming essential in tracking digital assets, identifying vulnerabilities, and managing threats. In this session, Huff will discuss how AI tools are actively used at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to support analysts and student researchers in strengthening cyber defense strategies. He will also preview new prototypes under development for the university鈥檚 cybersecurity clinics, which aim to transform raw threat data into clear, actionable intelligence for Arkansas organizations.

鈥淭his is a pivotal time for cybersecurity innovation,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working with students and industry to develop tools that don鈥檛 just detect threats but help organizations understand them and respond effectively, especially those without deep cybersecurity expertise.鈥�

In addition to his academic leadership, Huff is co-founder and chief scientist of Bastazo, a cybersecurity startup. His talk reflects 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 continued collaboration with the Forge Institute, a nonprofit based in Arkansas that brings together public and private partners to drive cybersecurity innovation and workforce development.

Founded in 2018, the Forge Institute works to keep the U.S. 鈥淔orever One Step Ahead鈥� in cybersecurity and national defense. Its partnership with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock includes joint research initiatives, workforce training, and support for student engagement in real-world cybersecurity challenges.

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The new course, Tech Entrepreneurship, will be led by Marla Johnson, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 tech entrepreneur-in-residence, and guided by seasoned experts from the Forge Institute. The course provides full academic credit and gives students access to industry leaders, mentors, and real-world problem-solving experiences.

鈥淭his course is for students who are curious about startups and want to take their ideas from concept to reality,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a coder, a designer, a business major, or an engineer, this is your chance to build something meaningful with a team of innovators.鈥�

Students will spend the semester turning their startup ideas into viable business concepts. With guidance from instructors and mentors, they will explore topics such as product development, customer discovery, branding, legal structures, and investment strategy. The course culminates in a professional pitch presentation, giving students a chance to showcase their venture to a panel of experts.

The Tech Entrepreneurship course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from all majors. It鈥檚 especially designed for students in business, entrepreneurship, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, and any field where innovation and technology play a central role. Students will work to develop solutions to real-world challenges in areas including cybersecurity, AI, energy, electronics, health, entertainment and advanced manufacturing.

With access to mentorship, practical instruction, and a supportive entrepreneurial environment, students will leave the course with the tools, experience, and confidence needed to launch their own ventures. The course will also help students prepare for the Arkansas Governor鈥檚 Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition.

The course will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. during the fall 2025 semester. For more information, contact Johnson at mkjohnson@ualr.edu.

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The award comes from appropriations language authored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman passed into law in December 2022. The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.

鈥淒eveloping a workforce of skilled professionals to combat cybercrime is increasingly important,鈥� Sen. Boozman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud to support this initiative to strengthen our state鈥檚 role in preventing cybersecurity attacks and create additional opportunities for Arkansans to safeguard critical energy networks.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is leading a cohort of partners that include the Consortium for Cyber Innovation, , the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (糖心Vlog传媒PB). The objectives include improving education, training, and workforce development for securing industrial control systems (ICS) against cybersecurity attacks, improving cybersecurity threat analysis and intelligence sharing, and creating an innovation startup program for cybersecurity in the energy sector.

鈥淭he energy sector, and electric utilities in particular, are on the front lines when it comes to nation-state cybersecurity attacks,鈥� said Dr. Philip Huff, assistant professor of cybersecurity at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and principal investigator. 鈥淭his groundbreaking initiative underscores 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and our partners鈥� commitment to stay at the forefront of cybersecurity education and research, empowering students and researchers to address the complex challenges of the digital age. We are especially grateful to Sen. Boozman for helping Arkansas become better prepared for the growing threat of cybersecurity attacks in the energy sector.鈥�

The Consortium for Cyber Innovation, which includes 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Forge Institute, 糖心Vlog传媒PB, and community college partners in Arkansas, will be creating a competency-based certificate program in cyber-informed engineering tailored for the energy sector. These certificates will equip students with specialized skills tailored to meet the evolving demands of the cybersecurity landscape and will strengthen the cybersecurity expertise of operators, technicians, and engineers within the energy sector. The certificate program will integrate into existing computer science and cybersecurity programs at universities and community colleges within the Consortium for Cyber Innovation.

鈥淭his funding will enable 糖心Vlog传媒PB to hire two cybersecurity instructors who will participate in formulation of not only certificate programs but also revise the course offering in the undergraduate cybersecurity program and graduate program in computer science and technology,鈥� said Dr. Grant Wangila, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at 糖心Vlog传媒PB. 鈥淭his investment also goes beyond filling the instructors; it enables faculty to engage with industry, government, schools, and colleges in developing these new programs in cyber-informed engineering.鈥�

While developing the certificate program, the researchers will conduct a regional workforce needs assessment on the energy sector within Arkansas and its neighboring regions. This will include hosting a series of workshops, webinars, and site visits to get the feedback needed to understand the workforce skill needs for cyber-informed engineering. The needs assessment will ensure that students have knowledge and skills to address real-world challenges and are prepared for high-demand jobs.

Additionally, the funding will support the establishment of an innovation startup program in the Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in energy cybersecurity, progressing ideas from concept to commercialized solutions.

鈥淎s the Forge Institute spearheads the creation of a national innovation center for grid-connected security and resiliency, we are not just incubating early-stage ideas; we are nurturing the seeds of national security and resilience,鈥� said Lee Watson, chairman and CEO of Forge Institute. 鈥淭his center, rooted in the heart of Arkansas, will be a beacon of American innovation and determination, setting a pioneering path for the rest of the country to follow. Together, we are forging a safer, more resilient future for our nation.”

The innovation program will include a mentorship program, a 12-to-14-week pre-accelerator program to help formalize new entrepreneurial ventures, and a series of innovation programs for students, faculty, community, and industry members. Researchers will work with students so they can receive academic credit for participating in the pre-accelerator program.

“We are on the cusp of a national revolution in cybersecurity and grid resilience, right here in Arkansas,鈥� Watson said. 鈥淭he collaboration between the Forge Institute, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and the Consortium for Cyber Innovation, established in 2019, signifies a monumental leap towards safeguarding our nation’s energy infrastructure. It鈥檚 a testament to what can be achieved on a national scale when local entities unite with a common purpose. I am profoundly grateful to Chancellor Drale, Dr. Huff, Dr. Farnell, and Dr. Wangila and the entire 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, University of Arkansas, and 糖心Vlog传媒PB teams for their purposeful collaborations and Sen. John Boozman for his steadfast support, which has been instrumental in this endeavor.鈥�

Additionally, the award will fund research initiatives leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), deep reinforcement learning techniques to identify optimal protection strategies against cyber threats. This research will be used to enhance the Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center鈥檚 automated threat analysis process by refining its attack simulation environment. Bastazo, a university startup company specializing in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with ties to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the University of Arkansas, is leading the technical development for this project and will use deep reinforcement learning to model realistic interactions between threat actors and defenders.

鈥淚n deep reinforcement learning, a machine learning model learns through trial and error without requiring a set of allowed actions to be predetermined,鈥� said Dr. Kylie McClanahan, chief technical officer of Bastazo. 鈥淭hrough this, we hope to identify new strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities and prevent exploitation and, ultimately, to improve cybersecurity in the electric sector.鈥�

Furthermore, innovative virtual reality (VR) training environments will be created to provide immersive experiences simulating the effects of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure such as the power grid. Researchers at the University of Arkansas will  augment the cybersecurity testbed at the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) test facility to allow remote access and experimentation for training and research purposes.

鈥淲e are very excited to partner with this team to help advance workforce development, expand NCREPT鈥檚 cyber-testbed capabilities, and further develop collaborations in the area of cybersecurity to secure our nation鈥檚 critical infrastructure,鈥� said Dr. Chris Farnell, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science and associate director NCREPT at the University of Arkansas.

NCREPT officials will also develop training modules to assist researchers and students in familiarizing themselves with ICS and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition cybersecurity vulnerabilities and mitigation. Collaborating partners will be able to use the ICS simulation environments for cyber-attack exercises and cybersecurity training.

“I am very excited about how this investment will help strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem here in Arkansas,鈥� said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淢ost importantly, it will help train the next generation of cybersecurity experts.”

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This new project adds to the already operational Emerging Threat Center and enables purposeful collaboration to expand operational capabilities and enhance regional threat information sharing.

The project brings together electric utilities and partners from the energy sector to advance practices in cybersecurity threat sharing throughout the mid-South region of the country. The center鈥檚 goals focus on increasing workforce development, creating education and training for securing energy sector control systems, and advancing cybersecurity threat intelligence sharing practices.

鈥淭he energy sector, and electric utilities, in particular, are on the front lines when it comes to nation-state cybersecurity attacks,鈥� said Dr. Philip Huff, assistant professor of cybersecurity at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and principal investigator on the grant. 鈥淭hey are often among the first targeted because they provide critical services to society and are relied on by all other critical infrastructure sectors. It is especially important that we have cybersecurity protections for these services in place.鈥�

The project is supported with a $1 million award from the (CESER), and is endorsed by Sen. John Boozman.

鈥淭he new Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center is an exceptional example of the collaboration needed to enhance energy security on a regional level in the United States,鈥� said Puesh Kumar, CESER director. 鈥淢y office is proud to support this effort to advance workforce development, training, and threat sharing capabilities, all of which are essential to our continued success in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. I applaud the University of Arkansas Little Rock for involving students in this initiative as it presents a unique learning opportunity and supports the realization of a skilled cybersecurity workforce for the challenges of tomorrow.鈥�

鈥淭he Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center will be an instrumental part of our national strategy to prevent cybersecurity breaches and attacks that have the potential to disrupt our lives,鈥� Sen. Boozman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud to support initiatives that strengthen the Natural State鈥檚 role in combating cyberthreats and prepare and train our workforce to help protect our information and secure our critical networks.鈥�

The center brings together a consortium of universities, cybersecurity experts, electric utilities, and energy sector partners through the Cybersecurity Consortium for Innovation (CCI), led by the Forge Institute. This project provides services for utilities and power system operators throughout the region, including the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Arkansas Public Power Utilities, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Entergy, Midwest ISO, and Southwest Power Pool.

鈥淭his federal funding and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, and other partners, enables thoughtful engagement, training, and capability development to support the needs of energy sector organizations, including municipally owned utilities,鈥� Forge Institute Chairman and CEO Lee Watson said. 鈥淥ur goal is to refine and improve a next-generation information sharing and analysis collaboration that will help critical infrastructure entities share information through a trusted community with a clear goal of being one step ahead of our adversaries providing enhanced situational awareness.鈥�

During a May 23 meeting of consortium partners, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale and Forge Institute signed on to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Idaho National Laboratory, a Department of Energy national laboratory and leading center for power grid cybersecurity resilience and nuclear energy research and development.

This agreement between Idaho National Laboratory and Forge Institute on behalf of CCI will result in collaboration for cybersecurity threat sharing and analysis, industrial cybersecurity labs for training and exercises and training and workforce development. This is the first time such an MOU has been signed between a state consortium and a national laboratory.

“This new center will be a perfect fit for the mission of this university to provide leading-edge experiential learning opportunities that give our students a career advantage,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淚t also fits well with our applied research mission to use our talent and expertise to address real life issues for everyone’s benefit.”

The center will build a pipeline of student researchers to develop innovations to defend against cyber threats. Ten students from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the University of Arkansas will work with center members to conduct threat analysis.

Members of the center will develop and deploy energy sector control system simulations for community members to train and test defensive measures to enhance protection against cybersecurity and cyberattacks. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will expand the Cyber Arena, a cloud-based cybersecurity education and training platform, to provide an online learning environment where community members can access these simulations on demand.

Additionally, the center will utilize a near-real-time threat correlation platform with the ability to detect patterns between threat intelligence reports and community member provided information. The platform will automate threat analysis tasks through artificial intelligence. The center will use this information to develop a cyber threat intelligence technology that will allow for broader cybersecurity threat sharing.

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鈥淪mall businesses generally lack the resources to defend themselves from cyber attacks,鈥� said Scott Anderson, executive director of Forge Institute and former Air Force Cyber Squadron commander and senior intelligence officer. 鈥淐ybercrime cost American small businesses more than $2 billion last year. Forge Institute is a resource that enables small businesses to fight back by developing appropriate defensive measures.鈥�

In August 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the creation of the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program, supported by $3 million in new funding to help emerging small businesses develop their cybersecurity infrastructure.

As part of the pilot program, Forge Institute received a $999,650.66 grant from the SBA to conduct outreach, respond, assess, and train Arkansas small businesses, including ASBTDC鈥檚 clients as requested. The Memorandum of Understanding serves as an addendum to a collaboration agreement established between Forge Institute and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock signed in January 2021.

Laura Fine, state director for ASBTDC, underscored the importance of the pilot program and Forge Institute’s role in administering training courses.

鈥淎SBTDC is the state鈥檚 premier small business assistance provider,鈥� Fine said. 鈥淭his expanded collaboration with Forge Institute enables us to better serve the more than 5,000 small businesses we assist in Arkansas each year.鈥�

In addition to advising Forge Institute on areas where Arkansas small businesses need assistance in cybersecurity, ASBTDC will promote and raise awareness of Forge Institute services, including the Arkansas Cyber Defense Center, Emerging Threat Center, and the Forge Academy with its small business customers and partners.

鈥淭he Forge Institute mantra is 鈥楩orever One Step Ahead,鈥� and this collaboration with ASBTDC will help Arkansas鈥檚 small businesses stay one step ahead of bad actors looking to disrupt our economic security,鈥� Anderson said.

To learn more about the Arkansas Cyber Defense Center or sign up for a free assessment or training, visit .

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