ASU center, Samsung Electronics announce cybersecurity partnership

Arizona State University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (CDF) is partnering with Samsung Electronics to help the electronics giant tackle digital security challenges and advance research, education and entrepreneurship in the field of cybersecurity.

As part of the partnership, Samsung Electronics will pledge $1.5 million over three years to support scholarship, student fellowships and competitions in the field of cybersecurity and digital forensics. As the founding, platinum-level member and industry partner of CDF, Samsung will receive assistance in sourcing ASU students for internships and opportunities to partake in CDF-sponsored events. It will also receive access to office space at SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. 

“It is predicted that more than 6.4 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices will be connected to the Internet toward the beginning of 2017 and the global IoT market will reach $14.4 trillion in 2020,” said Gail-Joon Ahn, director of the center and professor at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, who will be leading the partnership. “Due to the nature of content and tasks conducted by these devices, existing mobile and IoT systems are fraught with vulnerabilities and prone to diverse attacks. I strongly believe ASU-Samsung partnership would help articulate such critical research challenges collaboratively while tremendously expanding educational opportunities in cybersecurity and training ASU students with the advanced knowledge and resources.” 

“This incredibly exciting research collaboration between Samsung and CDF will significantly accelerate the improvement of Samsung's smart devices and services, and lead to provide consumers with security-enhanced products and services,” said Yong Ho Hwang, who leads the security lab of software research and development center at Samsung Electronics.

Through partnerships, the center aims to form relationships with industry, university and government entities that will play a critical role in producing a skillful workforce in the area of national security, thereby contributing to economic growth. In 2016, CDF announced its first partnership with Allstate Insurance to address digital security challenges. The center also aims to promote commercialization and technology transfer activities to advance innovation and entrepreneurial activities in the field.

"We are excited to welcome Samsung as a platinum-level member of CDF. This partnership demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to rigorous innovation supporting security of the Internet of Things leveraging ASU’s established record of research with impact,” said Nadya Bliss, director of the ASU Global Security Initiative that houses CDF. “We are also thrilled to have our students have access to experiential education opportunities working with such a giant in mobile industry.” 

The Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics focuses on three pillars — education, research and innovation — to help produce an outstanding workforce in the area of national security. It tackles short-term and long-term security challenges via top-notch research expertise and activities; and significantly contributes to economic growth in Arizona and the U.S. by transferring innovative and patented technologies to the marketplace. For further information, contact Gail-Joon Ahn.