As of Oct. 1 the George Washington University will be the new host of the Institute for Infrastructure Protection (I3P), a national consortium of leading institutions addressing cybersecurity challenges affecting critical infrastructures. The consortium, founded and hosted by Dartmouth College since 2002, will advance GW's prominence as a leader in cybersecurity research, policy and workforce development. GW will manage the I3P in collaboration with SRI International, an original member of the consortium.
Diana Burley, professor of human and organizational learning in GW's Graduate School of Education and Human Development will be I3P's new executive director and chair. She will be responsible for bringing the consortium to the university and for establishing strategic priorities for the organization.
"To be chosen as the host of the I3P is a testament to the expertise of Dr. Diana Burley and GW's commitment to cross-disciplinary research," said Leo Chalupa, vice president for research. "The institute will enable us to advance our cybersecurity research initiative and to strengthen our collaboration with SRI International."
The consortium includes 26 leading academic institutions, national laboratories and nonprofit research organizations. Drawing from its member institutions, the I3P assembles multidisciplinary teams able to analyze problems of national importance, for which it has been awarded over $30 million in funding.
"Cross-institutional collaboration is vital to protecting our global information infrastructure and the I3P is well-positioned to support government and industry leaders as they work to address the evolving cybersecurity threat," said Dr. Burley. "I am proud to represent the I3P and GW in this endeavor and I look forward to leveraging our relationships with national cybersecurity researchers and policy makers to enhance the security of our nation."
After leading the I3P since 2003, Dartmouth Senior Vice Provost for Research Martin Wybourne recently announced his plan to step down as chair. Dartmouth and the I3P Executive Committee launched a competitive process and selected GW as the next host for a new phase of the institute.
"I am honored to have served as Chair of the I3P for 12 years. By partnering with SRI
International and locating the I3P in the nation's capital, GW will provide new opportunities for
the I3P," said Dr. Wybourne, who will continue to serve as chair emeritus.
The consortium's research outcomes are shared at I3P-sponsored workshops, professional conferences and in peer-reviewed journals as well as via technology transfer. The I3P also supports programs to promote education and public awareness of key cybersecurity issues.
"Since the founding of I3P, SRI has participated in key projects, including process control security and cybersecurity economics," said Zachary Tudor, program director in the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International and past vice chair of I3P executive committee. "We congratulate GW on its new role and look forward to further collaboration with GW and partner organizations working to solve evolving challenges in cybersecurity."
GW will host a kick-off event celebrating the transfer of the institute to GW on Oct. 22. GW Provost Steven Lerman, SRI International CEO William Jeffrey and Dr. Wybourne will be in attendance.
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