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The Department of Energy has awarded the project titled “Midstream Critical Manufacturing Industry Cybersecurity Hub” for two universities in the Texas State University System, Sul Ross State University and Â鶹ÊÓƵ, to establish and operate a Center of Excellence called the Hub in Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics for the midstream industry.

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ team, led by Dr. Helen Lou, will receive $1.44 million for this initiative. The project will work to enhance cybersecurity and cyber-forensic capabilities for the midstream industry segment and protect vital national infrastructure.

The midstream industry, responsible for processing, transporting, and storing vital energy commodities, is embracing digital innovation. This transformation, while enhancing efficiency, also exposes the industry to new cybersecurity challenges.

To safeguard our nation's energy infrastructure, the project will unite cybersecurity expertise with midstream operations to create knowledge and develop technologies to enhance industrial cybersecurity and Cyber-physical systems (CPS) associated with midstream industry’s operation. It will also create educational materials, train the workforce, and enhance the general public’s cybersecurity awareness.

Dr. Lou is a Fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), with strong expertise in both Chemical Engineering and Computer Science.  She also received DOE funding to create the Center for Cybersecurity and Data Analytics at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. The project team, comprised of faculty in engineering and computer science, is grateful for the support from Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Center for Midstream Management and Science.

To learn more about Dr. Helen Lou and her research, please visit /engineering/chemical/faculty/lou-helen/index.html.