The U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research has granted approximately $588,000 to two researchers from the University of Arkansas to investigate the role of information in safeguarding critical networks during disruptive events. This funding supports a project led by assistant professors of industrial engineering, Haoming Shen and Robert Curry, who aim to develop mathematical models that will guide the collection, sharing, and protection of information in the face of crises such as natural disasters and cyberattacks.
The research will focus on understanding how the flow and accuracy of information can enhance a community’s ability to respond to and recover from disruptions. The team will analyze strategies for the effective allocation of limited resources, including sensors and drones, to detect potential threats and ensure the protection of vital infrastructure.
Haoming Shen, the principal investigator, emphasized the importance of proactive measures, stating, “We want to configure sensor networks to detect any potential disruptions in our network.” He noted that while deploying sensors and conducting monitoring tasks can require significant investment, resources are often constrained. The project aims to identify optimal strategies for resource allocation to effectively detect threats and safeguard infrastructure.
In their research, Shen and Curry will address two critical questions: how defenders can utilize information to anticipate and recognize potential attacks, and how misinformation or strategic information sharing may be employed to deter or deflect threats. “If we put it in non-mathematical terms, we’re trying to make a set of data-informed decisions, and we’re trying to make those decisions with uncertain information,” stated Curry.
The study will primarily focus on theoretical modeling, but its implications could extend to enhancing crisis planning and infrastructure protection, particularly within transportation and logistics networks. The findings could provide valuable insights into developing more resilient systems capable of withstanding various forms of disruption.
The grant was awarded through the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), an initiative designed to bolster research capabilities at universities in underrepresented states. U.S. Senator John Boozman, a supporter of DEPSCoR, highlighted the project’s significance, saying, “This project provides an opportunity to pursue high-quality research with real-world applications like protecting critical infrastructure. Investing in this project reinforces and enhances our largest institution’s significant role in supporting national security.”
In addition to this grant, the University of Arkansas announced in October 2023 that it has joined a national research team focused on developing advanced video object tracking technology under a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which could bring up to $6 million in federal funding to the university. This further underscores the institution’s commitment to advancing research that addresses pressing national security challenges.
