Project Grant 2300405

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $298,652 Project Grant to Alabama State University (ASU) under the STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) federal grant program (CFDA 47.076). The purpose of this 3-year grant, effective August 1, 2023, is to conduct research aimed at developing new integrated artificial intelligence (AI)-based models to automatically detect web application logic vulnerabilities and protect against evolving evasive malware-based cyber attacks. Key project objectives include: 1) elucidating factors that influence security and vulnerabilities, 2) developing AI-based models for automatic malware discovery through static and dynamic analysis, 3) creating a cybersecurity testbed for training and evaluation, 4) providing cybersecurity datasets to researchers, and 5) training HBCU undergraduate students in cybersecurity through research projects. This initiative represents a new research area in AI-based cybersecurity at ASU, an HBCU with over 92% underrepresented minority STEM undergraduates, and is expected to expand the nation's cybersecurity workforce, with a focus on engaging students from minoritized groups.