Payne, Abegaz will present in Tel Aviv
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (UNG) computer science faculty members Dr. Bryson Payne and Dr. Tamirat Abegaz will present their research at the Cybertech Global Tel Aviv conference set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Payne is a professor of computer science and coordinator of student cybersecurity programs and Abegaz is an associate professor of computer science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business.
More than 17,000 professionals are expected to gather to discuss "the latest technological innovations, challenges and solutions in cyber," according to the conference website.
Payne will present a hands-on demonstration of an ethical hacking attack on a simulated automotive system, and Abegaz will present on the roles of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity research and practice.
"We are honored to be invited to speak at Cybertech Global Tel Aviv, and we are grateful to our partners at the Consulate General of Israel, as well as to state Rep. Brent Cox, Ben Jarrard and retired Col. Chris Mitchiner, who helped make this collaboration possible," Payne said. "Automotive cybersecurity has become a critically important field. With remote connectivity, automated driver-assist and even self-driving features available in millions of cars on the road today, securing automotive systems from cyberattacks is more crucial than ever."
Abegaz has brought back research ideas from previous conferences. He sees a similar opportunity in Tel Aviv.
The professionals here at UNG are sought to speak internationally. That alone shows the expertise the university possesses. Our students are learning cybersecurity from the most qualified faculty in the field.
Retired Col. Christopher Mitchiner
Executive director of UNG's Institute for Cyber Operations
"We learn at these conferences," Abegaz said. "We take innovative ideas and experiences and share them with our students."
Mitchiner, executive director of UNG's Institute for Cyber Operations, is grateful to see Payne and Abegaz represent UNG.
"The professionals here at UNG are sought to speak internationally. That alone shows the expertise the university possesses," Mitchiner said. "Our students are learning cybersecurity from the most qualified faculty in the field."
Payne taught a two-day car-hacking and automotive cybersecurity faculty development workshop for the National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) Center in Minneapolis in August 2022. NCyTE is an Advanced Technological Education National Center, grant-funded by the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the National Security Agency's (NSA) Centers of Academic Excellence program.
UNG has been designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2027.
While in Israel, Payne and Abegaz will spend an additional day speaking with the leadership team at Cyber 2.0. Payne serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for Cyber 2.0, a cybersecurity firm in Tel Aviv focused on securing IT systems and operational technologies, from power and water infrastructure to automotive, maritime and aviation systems.
Grad student presents AI research at conference
Andrew Clements and faculty member Dr. Bryson Payne presented their research at the Information Systems & Computing Academic Professionals conference in November.
Grads prepare for their next steps
UNG will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
24 are Distinguished Military Graduates
Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
Blue Ridge students earn scholarships
UNG honored 28 of its Blue Ridge Campus students with almost $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the Tomato Sandwich Supper on Nov. 7.