RIT researchers develop cybersecurity protocols for future smart transportation systems
Rochester Institute of Technology cybersecurity researchers are preparing connected vehicle networks for the next stage of cybersecurity—the post-quantum era.
The team, in RIT’s ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute, is highlighting how current cryptographic methods are vulnerable to attacks enabled by emerging quantum computers. To help reduce collisions on the road, RIT researchers are creating their own agile and efficient security protocols that ensure all vehicles can communicate with each other securely.
Hanif Rahbari, assistant professor in the Department of Cybersecurity, and Geoff Twardokus, an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student, have analyzed post-quantum algorithms and proposed a Partially Hybrid Authentication Protocol—a fusion of classic and post-quantum cryptography. That work already is influencing regulations and government agencies. It has been cited by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and most notably in standardization reports from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
“We’re making an impact on what future systems are going to use,” said Rahbari. “The work is challenging because of the conflicting constraints—the added security can’t sacrifice the reliability of communication between vehicles. What makes our work unique is that we’ve balanced security and performance and experimentally verified that it’s practical.”
In the U.S., more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication networks allow cars to wirelessly coordinate movements. These connected vehicles can greatly reduce the number of mistakes that drivers make. In 2023, major automakers received regulatory approval for immediate deployment of V2V in new vehicles.
While V2V technology can alleviate tragedies on the road, cyber attackers could abuse it to cause traffic jams and crashes. Right now, V2V communications are secured using cryptography. Digital signatures on messages help to validate that communications are coming from authorized users and vehicles.
“The problem with quantum computers is that once they are a little bit more developed than they are at the moment, they will be able to break those cryptographic mechanisms that we currently rely on,” said Twardokus, who earned a bachelor’s and master’s in computing security from RIT in 2021. “For example, an attacker who has a quantum computer would be able to steal any other vehicle’s security credentials and create fake messages that look like they’re coming from those legitimate vehicles.”
Twardokus explained that the prevailing narrative about quantum computing is that it will simply “break everything” security-wise. He said this can oftentimes discourage people and automakers from planning for different stages of this coming threat.
“We’re really trying to zoom in on the problems and outline a concrete path to where quantum is going,” said Twardokus. “And here’s how we’re going to protect this environment as that evolves.”
Rahbari and Twardokus presented their new protocol at the 2024 Network and Distributed System Security (NDSS) Symposium in San Diego. The paper is titled “When Cryptography Needs a Hand: Practical Post-Quantum Authentication for V2V Communications.
In their key findings, the RIT researchers determined that several of the leading (and in some cases standardized) post-quantum cryptographic algorithms are not going to work for V2V. The algorithms and protocols will constrain vehicle communication networks.
Their new Partially Hybrid authentication protocol seeks to alleviate those constraints.
Rahbari explained that the “authentication” verifies who sends a message and makes sure that the message is actually intact and authentic. “Partial” refers to the fact that RIT researchers identified digital certificates as the most critical element to be protected by post-quantum cryptography. Other, less critical parts can still be protected by classic cryptography—for now.
“‘Hybrid’ means that the protocol supports the classical cryptography techniques of today and is also going to be able to support quantum-resistant protocols,” said Rahbari. “In the real world, we cannot just switch from an old technology to a new technology overnight. We need to enable older, legacy vehicles to coexist and talk with new vehicles.”
The experts describe their research as having “crypto-agility.”
“Our protocols are designed to be adaptable to future changes in the security space that are by their nature unforeseeable,” said Twardokus. “And it helps make sure our work has longevity even under different potential future circumstances.”
As part of the Wireless and IoT Security and Privacy research group at RIT, the team uses experiments with software-defined radios, commercial V2V devices, and digital simulators to show that their design is reliable and scalable.
Latest All News
- RIT’s Brick City Weekend filled with dozen of activities and reunionsDozens of events are planned—from sports, tours, entertainers, music, and dance—for RIT’s Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 18-20. Thousands of the more than 150,000 RIT alumni and their families, as well as current RIT students, faculty, staff, and retirees, are expected on campus for the events. “Whether you are a hockey fan, love dance performances and music, enjoy big laughs at a comedy show, or seek inspiration from our special guest and Marvel superhero, Alaqua Cox, the weekend promises a diverse range of activities for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and families alike,” said Lisa Stein, executive director for events and conferences at RIT. Marvel Cinematic Universe actress Alaqua Cox, and Charlie Berens, a stand-up comedian who enjoys poking fun at his Midwestern background, are featured guests in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.Disney Alaqua Cox, right, portrays Echo on Disney+. Cox, a deaf actress known for her breakout role as Maya Lopez and Echo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will be the guest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. Tickets for her discussion are $10 for RIT students, and $25 for all others. Cox appeared as Echo in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, which debuted in late 2021. This year, all five episodes of her solo spin-off series, Echo, premiered on Hulu and Disney+. She was born and raised on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin and is of the Menominee and Mohican nation. Since landing her acting role after friends urged her to apply, she has become an inspiration to many and continues to be a strong advocate for the deaf community. “It feels like a huge honor to be representing all these underrepresented communities. I want kids to be able to see themselves and feel worthy. We deserve this space in this moment. I am so happy Hollywood is making these changes and accommodations for us. It’s a great time to live right now,” she said on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Berens, a Wisconsin native, has been featured on networks including Comedy Central, Fox, CBS, and TBS. He provides weekly content on social media for his 9 million followers. In 2013, Berens won an Emmy Award for “The Cost of Water” while reporting for KDAF in Dallas. In 2017, he created the online comedic news show, Manitowoc Minute, and he added weekly Midwest-focused sketch comedy videos on his social media platforms. His bestselling book, The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink and Eat … Everything With Ranch, was released in 2021 and spawned three stand-up tours. He also hosts the Cripescast podcast where he interviews musicians, artists, comedians, creators, and more about their stories and connections to the Midwest. His appearance is open to the public at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. Tickets are $10 for RIT students; $25 for RIT guests, family, alumni, faculty, and staff; and $40 for the public. Both presentations are open to the public. Ticket information and registration can be made on RIT’s Brick City Weekend website. Carlos Ortiz/RIT A packed house watches men’s hockey play Notre Dame at the Blue Cross Arena during last year’s Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. Many of RIT’s individual colleges are scheduling events of their own for their students, their families, and alumni. Other events have a wide appeal and are open to all. More than a dozen performing arts events, ranging from dance, singing, concerts, and steel drums; and Mt. Hope Cemetery Tours, where Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass are buried, will be offered on Friday and Saturday for $15. Food trucks will also be on site.Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18, women’s hockey vs. RPI, 6-8:30 p.m., in the Gene Polisseni Center. Free. Friday, Oct. 18, 50 Years of NTID Performing Arts – Dyer Exhibit, Dyer Arts Center, Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Friday, Oct. 18, Bevier Gallery Exhibition: After the Charrette, Booth Hall, room 2600. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Friday, Oct. 18, men’s soccer vs. Skidmore, Tiger Stadium (Doug May Field), 4-6:30 p.m. Free. Saturday, Oct. 19, Build-A-Tiger, the SHED, room 3350. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $35. Saturday, Oct. 19, Popular Music Collective, several bands and groups perform, Munson Music Loft, the SHED, room 2120. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Saturday, Oct. 19, Family Fun Zone, interactive experiences for all ages, including arcade games, an obstacle course, and inflatable bounce house, Frank Ritter Memorial Arena, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Rochester City Ballet, the SHED Dance Studio, room 1140. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Saturday, Oct. 19, men’s soccer vs. RPI, Tiger Stadium (Doug May Field), 2-4:30 p.m. Free. Saturday, Oct. 19, men’s hockey vs. Bowling Green, Blue Cross Arena, downtown Rochester, 7:05 p.m. Shuttles will start from campus at 5 p.m. Tickets range from $9 to $25. Sunday, Oct. 20, Brick City Weekend 5K. 10-11 a.m. $25; free for students. Go to the Brick City Weekend website for more activities, registration, and ticketing information.
- RIT remains a HEED Award winner and Diversity ChampionRIT’s commitment to diversity has been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine with the annual Diversity Into Higher Education in Excellence (HEED) Award and Diversity Champion designation. The publication’s HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Those ranked in the top tier of HEED Award recipients are selected as Diversity Champions. This year marks the 11th consecutive HEED Award and 10th consecutive Diversity Champion designation for RIT. “It is an honor to be recognized across the past decade for our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Keith Jenkins, vice president and associate provost for Diversity and Inclusion. “As we begin our next strategic planning process, we look forward to continuing and expanding our efforts to create equal access, opportunities, and respect for all.” As a recipient of the HEED Award, RIT will be featured, along with 113 other awardees, in the November/December 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Award winners include undergraduate institutions, law and graduate schools, and community colleges. Diversity Champions are selected for exemplifying an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels. Known for visionary leadership, Diversity Champions are institutions that serve as role models and set the standard for thousands of other U.S. college campuses striving for inclusive excellence. More information on the HEED Award and Diversity Champion recognition can be found on the INSIGHT Into Diversity website.
- ASL-English Interpretation major uses life experiences to build sign-language skillsGrowing up in Ethiopia, Zahria Ruper couldn’t communicate with her Deaf brother. But, life-changing experiences, including being adopted in the United States and learning American Sign Language from her adoptive mother, helped define her future. Today, Ruper, a fourth-year ASL-English Interpretation major at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, is looking ahead to graduating in May and starting her career. What were the circumstances around your interest in learning American Sign Language? No one in my birth family knew sign language and, as a result, it put a barrier between us and my Deaf older brother. We did not have the resources to learn sign language and we were limited to communicating with him through gesturing and home signs. When we arrived in the United States after living in an Ethiopian orphanage, our adoptive mom, a certified interpreter and an NTID graduate, taught us American Sign Language. This was the first time I was able to have a conversation with my brother. I fell in love with the language and culture. I loved how it was visual, and it made it much easier for me to learn English. Since then, my parents have adopted seven more kids, with a majority of them being Deaf. What made you decide to become an interpreting major? My mother would always interpret for my siblings. I would watch and be so mesmerized by it. I also interpreted conversations between my extended family and siblings. I never wanted my siblings to be left out in conversations or miss a chance to build relationships with others. Our family worked hard together to ensure that communication access was always available. This inspired me to pursue an interpreting degree. What are your favorite events and activities to interpret? And what do you find the most challenging? I enjoy interpreting panel discussions and speeches. It is a challenge especially if there are multiple speakers. But I love that I am able to include multiple individuals. I also love interpreting musical performances. There is so much room for creativity and unique opportunities to play with the language and connect it with rhythm. I think one of the most difficult things to learn and master as an interpreter is the ability to hold information while simultaneously interpreting and receiving more information. It requires a lot of mental processing and accurately determining lag time. What extracurricular or volunteer activities help you sharpen your interpreting skills? Once a month, I volunteer at my church to interpret worship music. I love that I am able to serve the Deaf community in this way. It is something that I look forward to and that I’m passionate about. I have also volunteered for several seminars as well as different events and classes within the community. I love giving back, making connections, gaining experience, and helping to make communication accessible. Last summer, I had an opportunity to volunteer and interpret at a music festival. I worked alongside many professional interpreters, one of whom was my mom. It was an amazing experience. I was able to serve and interact with many diverse Deaf individuals. I also had the opportunity to volunteer and interpret for a martial arts class. There were some challenges, but it helped me to learn how to collaborate with the individuals involved to provide full access.
- RIT surpasses $102 million in research funding for a single fiscal yearRochester Institute of Technology achieved a significant milestone by receiving $102 million in sponsored research awards during its past fiscal year, surpassing a key goal in its strategic plan a year ahead of schedule. This achievement marks a nearly 100 percent growth in sponsored research awards since 2014 when the strategic plan was created, underscoring RIT’s emergence as a nationally recognized research university, said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT’s vice president for Research. “Ten years ago, RIT set a priority in its strategic plan to achieve $100 million in obligated research awards within a single fiscal year,” said Raffaelle. “When the plan was drafted, this milestone was seen as a stretch goal. Achieving it a full year ahead of schedule is a testament to the excellence of our faculty, staff, and students engaged in research at RIT.” The FY24 total includes significant growth in competitive awards from federal sources. RIT received record funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) ($20 million), the National Institutes of Health ($10 million), and the Department of Defense (DOD) ($23 million). These awards support a diverse range of projects, from quantum communication and expanding lithium battery manufacturing to controlling microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes watershed and modeling supermassive black holes. A significant portion of the funding is dedicated to workforce development and enhancing skills for future professionals across a wide range of STEM careers, from technicians to Ph.D.’s. RIT received numerous new awards from the NSF and other federal agencies to develop new curricula, undergraduate and graduate training initiatives, and graduate research fellowships. As an example, RIT received a prestigious NSF National Research Traineeship (NRT) award which supports interdisciplinary education related to artificial intelligence. Additionally, RIT received a second NSF NRT award focused on developing graduate-level interdisciplinary training in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, essential for designing and building computer chips. The training programs complement ongoing support from the DOD and the NSF, aimed at recruiting and training the next generation of cybersecurity experts at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Increasing sponsored research awards also empowers RIT to significantly contribute to U.S. competitiveness and address global challenges. “These STEM training awards demonstrate the caliber of our faculty and the need for the degree programs we offer. We are proud that RIT is recognized by federal agencies as an important asset in training the workforce of the future,” said Raffaelle. “Expanding our research portfolio underscores our dedication to addressing critical issues affecting our community, state, country, and the world. This surge in research activity also creates more opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in experiential learning with leading faculty members, equipping our graduates for future careers.” RIT is in the process of developing its next strategic plan, carefully considering its future research aspirations, including setting ambitious goals for continued research growth and an increase in advanced degrees conferred. Here is what local elected officials said about RIT’s research growth:"Congratulations to RIT in reaching its strategic goal with this $100 million milestone in sponsored research awards,” said New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson. “Through these grants RIT builds upon its distinguished position of innovation and creativity in the applied science arena. With these grants RIT continues its focus on workforce development to prepare future professionals for the expanding and emerging industries of today and for tomorrow. RIT's work helps to make the Greater Rochester area and indeed our state a true competitor on the global market while providing true opportunities for its undergraduate and graduate students." “RIT is a national leader when it comes to cutting-edge research, training the next generation of innovators, and contributing to technological advancements across our country,” said New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Congratulations on reaching this benchmark and thank you for all you do to support our Rochester community!” “Congratulations to Rochester Institute of Technology on achieving this significant milestone,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This underscores the strength of their world-class research capabilities and is a testament to their growth and leadership. I look forward to our continued partnership, particularly as we leverage our region’s designation as a Regional Technology Hub—together we will advance RIT’s legacy of academic excellence, train the workforce of the future, and strengthen our local economy.”
- Future Faculty Career Exploration Program welcomes newest class of diverse scholarsThe 21st cohort of RIT’s Future Faculty Career Exploration Program was welcomed to campus Sept. 25-28 for the opportunity to experience what it would be like to be a faculty member at RIT. The program invites exceptional underrepresented researchers and artists of all disciplines. Participants engage with administration, faculty, and staff across campus while enhancing interview skills, practicing job-talk presentations, and exploring research, teaching, and service expectations of RIT faculty members. The program is hosted by the Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment in the university’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion. “This program provides a transformational experience,” said Torrence Sparkman, assistant provost and assistant vice president for faculty diversity and recruitment. “We select scholars with the highest level of achievement in research, art, skill, and expertise to discover RIT’s commitment to inclusive excellence and professional quality that sets us apart.” The 2024 cohort consists of 11 scholars across six different colleges:Carlos Augusto Bautista Isaza, Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech (computer science and applications) Nikisha Alcindor, Ph.D. candidate, Graduate Center of the City of New York (business strategy) Estelle E. Archibold, postdoctoral scholar, The Pennsylvania State University (management) Kalan Horton, Ph.D. candidate, Florida State University (strategic management) Sayde King, Ph.D. candidate, University of South Florida (computer science and engineering) Elizabeth Ondula, Ph.D. candidate, University of Southern California (computer science) Hafiz Oyediran, Ph.D. candidate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (construction engineering and management) Mayassa Hashaad, Ph.D. candidate, University of Arkansas (creative writing and literary translation) Mbaye Diouf, senior research associate, Brown University (optical physics) J. Carlos Martinez Mori, postdoctoral scholar, Georgia Institute of Technology (applied mathematics) Edwin Solares, lecturer, University of California, San Diego (computer science and biology) The Future Faculty Career Exploration Program was one of the first faculty diversity and recruitment programs in the nation, and it helps RIT continue to be a leader in diversity and inclusion initiatives, ultimately strengthening the campus environment. Every year, a new group of up-and-coming academics grows their network and skills for future career opportunities. Since its inception, the program has invited hundreds of historically underrepresented scholars and artists to participate, many of whom now serve in faculty leadership roles in academia. Learn more about the program and this year’s cohort in the 2024 program guide.
- RIT’s Siewe receives award for mathematical modeling research linking obesity and diabetesRIT Assistant Professor Nourridine Siewe has received a $500,000 National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) – First Award for his work in mathematical models of obesity-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and chronic wound healing. The core objective of Siewe’s proposal is to develop an advanced mathematical model that explains the pathways through which obesity leads to T2DM. This model will also be utilized to assess the efficacy of anti-T2DM drugs. By integrating recent research findings into the model, Siewe aims to offer new insights into the disease process and evaluate potential therapeutic interventions with greater precision. “This award underscores the importance of integrating mathematical modeling with clinical research to address complex health challenges,” said Siewe. “It paves the way for future advancements in chronic disease management and drug efficacy evaluation.” Obesity is a significant driver of T2DM, with 85% of adult Americans diagnosed with T2DM being overweight or obese, and 30% of obese adults suffering from the disease. Despite progress in understanding the mechanisms linking obesity to T2DM, there remains a pressing need for comprehensive models to further explore these dynamics and improve treatment strategies. The successful execution of this project promises to revolutionize the approach to modeling glucose-insulin dynamics, particularly in the context of obesity-induced T2DM. The anticipated outcomes of this research will provide a robust framework for designing and analyzing within-host mathematical models, which can significantly enhance understanding of glucose-insulin regulation in both health and disease. The modeling techniques developed through this research have the potential for broad applications. They could be replicated in other areas, such as chronic infections and diseases like cancer, hepatitis B virus, and wound healing in diabetes and obesity. The innovative approaches proposed will likely lead to improved virtual patient models, essential for evaluating new experimental or approved drugs. The NIGMS SuRE - First Award is a competitive grant designed to support researchers early in their careers, focusing on innovative and impactful research projects that address significant scientific questions. The program aims to foster excellence in research and provide the necessary resources for researchers to achieve their goals.