MARCY, N.Y. — A SUNY Polytechnic Institute professor was awarded the largest single-investigator contract award in the university’s history with a nearly $1.1 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Hisham A. Kholidy, an associate professor and chair of the Network and Computer Security Department, was awarded the 36-month project to help address the need for an advanced security system that can identify, assess, and protect against attacks across the 5G open architecture in a timely and accurate way without human intervention.
“It’s an exciting time at SUNY Polytechnic Institute,” Officer-in-Charge Andrew Russell said in a release. “This project, led by Dr. Kholidy, is a strong example of how SUNY Poly’s growing reputation as New York state’s premier public polytechnic is backed by our wide-ranging academic and research pursuits, including as a leader in cybersecurity research and applications nationwide.”
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With 5G expected to play an important role in global economic growth and technological development, the Department of Defense (DoD) has identified 5G security as a critical area, Kholidy notes. The proposed research investigates ways to protect 5G open networks, meet resilience requirements, and minimize damage from attacks.
“The DoD has a vital interest in advancing 5G-to-NextG wireless technologies and concept demonstrations,” AFRL Senior Scientist Andrew Karam said. “These efforts represent our continuing investments via public- and private-sector collaboration on research and development for critical 5G technology enablers necessary to realize high performance, security, and resilient network operations for the warfighter.”
The project will support a post-doctoral student and two research assistants assisted by Kholidy. The project will also educate and involve students with interdisciplinary skills, including underrepresented minority students through integrating projects covering information science, communication, cybersecurity, and autonomic computing, as well as developing a new cybersecurity course and a simulated 5G security testbed network.
Outreach activities targeting local schools that offer cybersecurity programs are also part of the project plans along with expanding existing SUNY Poly outreach programs to enhance cybersecurity awareness among high-school students in Oneida County.
Along with degrees in technology including cybersecurity, SUNY Poly also offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in professional studies including business and communication, and arts and sciences such as mathematics, game design, and humanities.


