Reprogramming our physical world
In the same way the internet transformed how we interact with information, cyber-physical systems (CPS) are transforming the way we interact with and control the physical world around us. Many objects in our everyday life are controlled by computers. From autonomous cars to manufacturing machines and even musical instruments, embedded systems integrate sensing, computation, control, and networking into physical objects and infrastructure connecting them to the internet and each other to collectively perform a useful function. These networks function as one to control a physical process responding to feedback and adapting to new conditions in real-time.
The advances of cyber-physical systems have the potential to reshape our world with more responsive, precise, reliable, and efficient systems, enabling a revolution of ‘smart’ devices and systems that improve our quality of life. Areas like healthcare, wireless sensor networks, traffic flow management, and electric power generation and delivery will benefit from enhanced services and improved operational efficiencies.
Associated schools, institutes & centres
Impact
While harnessing cyber-physical systems could have enormous societal impact and economic benefit in many traditional industries, unique challenges are also presented as unexpected and abnormal systems behaviour can lead to disruptions which can have major impacts on society.
Complex systems are difficult to build and manage and the extensive use of information and communication technologies in cyber-physical systems make them vulnerable to cyber attack. If the interface between complex systems components breaks down, the compromise can lead to a disruption ranging from small service interruptions to huge impacts on critical infrastructure such as transport or medical systems which could jeopardise physical safety and cause huge financial loss.
Our research is developing innovative solutions and technological approaches to cyber-physical system design, management, and control which can be implemented in realistic and real cyber-physical systems environments to address cyber-physical systems’s scalability, heterogeneity, security, timely intrusion detection, and complexity. This not only helps to mitigate cyber attacks but also provides a framework to ensure cyber-physical systems are resilient against potential threats.
Research in cyber-physical systems is closely linked with research into Resilient Infrastructure, Complex Systems Security, and Intelligent Security.
Competitive advantage
Our researchers have diverse skills and interdisciplinary knowledge in cybersecurity, electrical, software, and systems engineering, and quality and process improvement. Over the years we have established an international research reputation as leaders in:
- complex systems and CPS
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- critical infrastructure and SCADA systems protection
- Industrial IoT (IIoT) cybersecurity.
The key aspects of our research working with leading industry, state, and federal departments include:
- design, detection, and cyber attack tolerant control of smart grids
- experimental demonstration of cyber-physical resilience in smart grids
- cyber attack tolerant dynamic control for distributed energy resources
- development of intelligent and autonomous cyber-physical anomaly detection models for CPS
- leading AI-based CPS’ data analysis, privacy preservation and security
- development of SCADA systems cybersecurity and intrusion detection
- advanced threat anomaly detection and resilience of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
- resilience of distributed sensor networks against biasing interference.
Successful applications
- Risk management-based framework for developing intelligent systems for natural disasters
- Software assurance for cyberworthiness
- A cyber-physical approach to improve mission assurance for remotely operated aerial systems and aircraft payloads
- Protection of data privacy based artificial intelligence in cyber-physical systems
- Secure and distributed orchestration micro-algorithms as services at the edge
- A collaborative host-network anomaly detection framework for IoT.
Partners
Research projects
- Risk management-based framework for developing intelligent systems for natural disasters
- Software assurance for cyberworthiness
- Protection of data privacy based artificial intelligence in cyber-physical systems
- Secure and distributed orchestration micro-algorithms as services at the edge
- Towards developing critical system resilience metrics for industrial IoT (IIoT) with a special focus on privacy data preservation for SCADA systems
Culture
We are actively involved in several community engagement activities that promote participation in cyber-physical systems research:
- Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship Award - The Fellowship encourages the development of advanced knowledge and expertise which will aid in the defence of Australia and is awarded to contributors to the future defence of Australia.
- PLuS Alliance, opens in a new window – creates, enables, and deploys innovative research and education linkages between UNSW, Arizona State University (ASU) US and Kings’ College UK that contribute to a sustainable future
- Air and Space Power Centre, opens in a new window - Open seminar presentation in September 2020
- US Air Force Research Office - Window on Science (WOS) collaboration with US Air Force cybersecurity research centres
- Board member of the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), opens in a new window, Australian affiliation
Study with us
Master level courses which explore the concepts of this research are:
- ZEIT 8027 Critical Infrastructure and Control System Security, opens in a new window
- ZEIT 8018 Cyber Resilience, opens in a new window
- ZEIT 8032 Information Assurance Principles, opens in a new window
- ZEIT 8024 Software Security Lifecycle, opens in a new window
The course syllabus includes elements of CPS design, vulnerability assessment, and addressing challenges. Students can participate in Blue/Red team exercises to uncover cybersecurity weaknesses in cyber-physical systems and develop defensive mechanisms.
