Priya PatelTLDR:
- NASA’s IV&V Facility is expanding its cybersecurity services and education
- The facility is incorporating cybersecurity assessments into its traditional software examination roles
NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility is increasing its focus on cybersecurity services and education to ensure the safety and security of NASA missions. Traditionally, the facility has been examining software in developing NASA missions to identify and rectify glitches and failures before launch. However, cybersecurity has emerged as a growing concern in mission security, prompting the facility to include cybersecurity assessments into its services.
The facility has added cybersecurity expertise to its assurance and software engineering roles, examining network systems, protocols, industrial control systems, and more to assess risks to NASA missions. Nearly a decade ago, the IV&V facility began analyzing ground system cybersecurity to understand how different components work together and identify potential threats. The facility has around 12 staff members working on cybersecurity projects at any given time and is expanding its services.
Moreover, the facility is focusing on educational outreach and workforce development in cybersecurity. Internships and educational programs aim to train students and educators about cybersecurity, preparing them for a future workforce need. Hiring cybersecurity interns has been successful, and the facility is working on creating a cybersecurity-savvy next generation of workers. The facility believes that as technology continues to evolve, cybersecurity will become increasingly important in NASA mission safety, and the IV&V Facility will remain at the forefront of this work.
