ISE Seminar

Securing the future of manufacturing: Cyber-physical threat characterization, assessment, detection, and prevention

Speaker

Mohmmed Shafae, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Arizona

Abstract

The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) in modern manufacturing has greatly expanded the potential for cyberattacks, exposing physical operations to unprecedented risks. With manufacturing being the most-targeted industry for three consecutive years—accounting for 25.7% of all cyberattacks in 2023—the need for robust cybersecurity strategies is critical. Cyberattacks on smart manufacturing systems not only involve traditional threats like data theft but can also target physical equipment, products, and the entire manufacturing ecosystem. These sophisticated attacks can lead to operational sabotage, equipment damage, compromised product quality, and even pose threats to human lives. In this talk, I will present the latest research from the University of Arizona's Cyber-Physical Manufacturing (CyPhyMan) Systems Lab, focusing on four main areas: taxonomy-driven manufacturing-specific threat characterization, graph-theoretic risk modeling and assessment, physics-informed attack detection, and privacy-preserving data sharing. Our research offers key insights for manufacturing stakeholders looking to implement proactive cybersecurity measures, safeguard critical infrastructure, and enhance the resilience of smart manufacturing systems against evolving threats.

Bio

Dr. Mohamed Shafae is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering at the University of Arizona, where he also directs the Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems (CyPhyMan) Lab. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2018, following his M.Sc. and B.Sc. from Alexandria University, Egypt, in 2012 and 2009, respectively. Dr. Shafae’s research spans the fields of smart and advanced manufacturing, with a particular focus on advanced sensing, high-density metrology, and data analytics for manufacturing process modeling, monitoring, and diagnostics. His work addresses quality control, manufacturing cybersecurity, and manufacturing in space and remote environments. His research has garnered support from prestigious organizations such as NASA, the Department of Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and Arizona’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), focusing on innovative technologies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.