| TRUSTED CI NEWSLETTER June 2026 |
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| Trusted CI Updates its OT Procurement Matrix Guide |
| Trusted CI has released an important update to its Guide to Use the OT Procurement Matrix to help organizations better manage security risks associated with artificial intelligence. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in both IT and operational technology—such as "smart" HVAC or security systems—evaluating these tools is critical. The updated guide now explicitly references the HECVAT toolkit’s AI-specific tab. This resource provides a structured framework for asking vendors essential questions regarding data handling, model training, and incident response. By integrating the HECVAT AI tab into procurement workflows, organizations can ensure consistent, thorough assessments of AI-related risks, safeguarding privacy and operational integrity throughout the vendor evaluation process. Read the blog for more information. |
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| | Ewa Deelman, Director of NSF CI Compass, Sean Peisert, Trusted CI Director, Julian Race, IT Manager of the R/V Sikuliaq and Erich Gruebel of the University of Rhode Island. (Photo by Ewa Deelman) |
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Trusted CI Director visits R/V Sikuliaq |
| Trusted CI Director Sean Peisert and Ewa Deelman, Director of NSF CI Compass, recently visited the R/V Sikuliaq to examine critical cyberinfrastructure upgrades and new scientific instruments. During the ship’s dry-dock period, the team collaborated with Julian Race, IT Manager of the R/V Sikuliaq, and Erich Gruebel of the University of Rhode Island. This visit provided essential insight into the vessel's operational needs, strengthening Trusted CI’s ability to support UA Fairbanks and the wider UNOLS U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The R/V Sikuliaq is a 261-foot advanced oceanographic research vessel designed for operation in Alaska and polar regions. It is capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5 feet thick and is homeported at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Seward Marine Center. By engaging directly with these facilities, Trusted CI ensures its cybersecurity strategies remain aligned with the evolving requirements of the scientific community. Read a CI Compass article about this collaboration here. |
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| Trusted CI Fellowship Program Update |
| The instructional phase of the Trusted CI Fellowship cohort for 2026 concluded in May, marking another milestone in developing cybersecurity leaders across the research community. Fellows will now apply their knowledge through community service activities and reconvene at the NSF Cybersecurity Summit in October to conclude the program. Recruitment for the next Fellowship cohort is underway. |
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| 2026 Trusted CI Fellows Spotlight |
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| This month, we spotlight 4 of the 10 members of the 2026 Trusted CI Fellowship cohort. |
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| | Carlos Cabrera, Senior lecturer and Coordinator for the Masters Program in the School of Computing at Clemson University. Read bio here. |
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| Martin Kandes, Senior Computational and Data Science Research Specialist in the High-Performance Computing (HPC) User Services Group at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), UC San Diego. Read bio here. |
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| Nitin Sukhija, Professor and Director of Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Read bio here. |
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| Pengyin Shan, Senior research software engineer at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Read bio here. |
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| Don't Forget to Register to Attend the 2026 NSF Cybersecurity Summit! |
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| | The Summit brings together leaders in research cyberinfrastructure (CI), cybersecurity, and higher ed researchers to build a trusting, collaborative community that addresses the community’s core cybersecurity challenges. Join us for the exciting 2026 NSF Cybersecurity Summit! More information about the Summit can be found here. |
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| Webinar NewsRegulated Research Community of Practice (RRCoP) webinars occur on the second Wednesday of the month. Check the calendar here. Recent WebinarsUpcoming WebinarsConferences and eventsEmployment and internship opportunitiesTrusted CI posts employment and internship opportunities on our website, and we can assist you in promoting your organization’s open positions. Email us with info about your employment opportunities.
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| Trusted CI, the NSF Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, is supported by the National Science Foundation under Interagency Agreement #A2407-049-089-064206.0. Trusted CI’s mission is to enable trustworthy NSF science by partnering with cyberinfrastructure operators to build and maintain effective cybersecurity programs, publishing resources for the broader NSF community, and advancing the processes, tools, and knowledge needed to secure research progress. |
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