Indiana University Provides Cybersecurity Expertise to U.S. Navy

BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Indiana University Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research (CACR) recently announced that two researchers have been appointed temporary faculty members at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.

Craig Jackson, CACR chief policy analyst, and Scott Russell, CACR senior policy analyst, will work with U.S. Navy leaders at Crane on cybersecurity research in support of U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of Defense systems.  

CACR has an established relationship with NSWC Crane to share cybersecurity expertise in the areas of information security and national defense. In July 2016, CACR and NSWC Crane entered into a two-year collaborative agreement to share personnel and expertise, and to collaboratively advance research and development in tackling cybersecurity challenges to our nation.

“Cybersecurity is a critical area of concern for national defense and economic security. IU is pleased to exchange personnel with Crane in furtherance of this important work,” says Brad Wheeler, IU vice president for information technology and CIO.

As CACR staff, Jackson and Russell have research interests that align well with Crane. Their expertise includes information security program development, governance, and evaluation, evidence-based security practice, risk management, legal and regulatory regimes’ impact on information security, and innovative control and process design.

“Our collaborative relationship with Indiana University continues to grow,” says Dr. Brett Seidle, NSWC Crane’s technical director. “The recent appointments of Mr. Jackson and Mr. Russell to NSWC Crane will bring invaluable expertise that will help us enhance our ability to address cybersecurity concerns within the DoD and ultimately support our service men and women.”

Jackson said, “Cybersecurity is a multidisciplinary field, and CACR has expertise in many areas related to cybersecurity — policy, law, process design, systems engineering and more. Our temporary faculty positions at Crane will allow us to really zero in on the issues affecting the U.S. Navy and national defense, and I’m excited to begin this important work.”

In addition to collaborating with the CACR researchers, Crane has affiliations with three other IU faculty members:

  • Lauren Christopher, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering (third year in program)
  • Mehmet Dalkilic, associate professor of informatics and computing, (first year in program)
  • Paul Salama, professor of electrical and computer engineering, assistant dean for graduate programs (fourth year in program)

CACR is a research center affiliated with the Indiana University Pervasive Technology Institute and a member of the Indiana University cybersecurity community, which includes the Maurer School of Law, the Kelley School of Business, the School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, REN-ISAC, the University Information Policy Office and the University Information Security Office.

NSWC Crane is the third-largest navy installation in the world, and one of Indiana’s largest high-tech employers with over 2,000 scientists, engineers and technicians. 

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • Phoenix High School Completes First Phase of Campus Renovations

    Metro Tech High School, part of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) in Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced the completion of the first stage of a campus renovation project, according to a news release. The school reopened a series of public-facing business operations spaces including credit union, daycare, floral, cosmetology, and culinary services. It also includes new CTE learning spaces for the school’s nursing assistant, pharmacy, and sports medicine programs.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.