Purdue University offers aviation, space cybersecurity course

Purdue University is breaking new academic ground in optimizing student preparation for a dual-purpose workforce need in the space and aviation industries. The new Purdue Aviation and Space Cybersecurity course gives engineering students much-valued, cyber-domain security proficiency while also providing aeronautical and astronautical engineering know-how to computer science and cybersecurity majors.

The course was launched in response to a need expressed by industry.

“Aero and astro engineering graduates typically don’t have a solid understanding of cyber risks and vulnerabilities in the same way that our computer science or cybersecurity graduates do,” said Joel Rasmus, director of CERIAS, the Purdue Center for Education Research in Information Assurance and Security, who responded to industry members of the CERIAS Strategic Partnership Program in forming the new course. “Transversely, our cyber-focused students have not been prepared to understand the technical principles of size, weight and power, or other engineering specifics. Nobody else has this kind of a formalized, hands-on educational program. With this new curriculum, our graduates are better prepared to make significant technical contributions early in their careers.”

CERIAS, known worldwide for its leadership in cyber and cyber-physical security, supports more than 156 researchers from cross-cutting disciplines working on more than 150 research projects.

“We enthusiastically support Purdue's launch of the Aviation and Space Cybersecurity course,” said Jeffrey Holland, Boeing research and technology. “Aerospace faces unique cyber threats and constrained design choices. Graduating students with this specialized awareness will benefit both the industry and students.”

The course is organized around real-world problem solving. Using problem scenarios contributed by industry members, teams of five to seven students work on solutions with Purdue faculty and industry mentors. Just as important to the course, however, is peer-to-peer learning.

“We want the students to learn from fellow students outside their normal domain,” Rasmus said. “Cybersecurity, computer science, data science, industrial engineering, aero and astro engineering and mechanical engineering students will all learn from each other while addressing a specific industry concern.”

For the course’s current inaugural semester, students are tackling a project sponsored by Boeing to develop an algorithm that leverages industry-accepted aero engineering principles while also addressing a need for measurable cybersecurity.

“For example, it may be easy for a cybersecurity student to address cyber risk by adding specialized equipment,” Rasmus said. “But on an aero platform, that recommendation must also consider whether the weight of the equipment necessitates engine adjustments or if it requires space that will remove passenger seats or impact fuel efficiency. This project-based course has the potential to provide new technology solutions for the space or aviation industries while it provides cross-training to students who will be better prepared to work both individually or as part of development teams within their post-university employment.”

Purdue faculty and industry members are examining ways to grow and broaden the new aero-cyber educational workforce initiative. In the short-term, a certification program is being considered.