September 11, 2024
Mizzou researchers are building a virtual reality platform to train individuals with autism and other neurodevelopment differences to work in cybersecurity.
Sept. 12, 2024
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Put on a pair of virtual reality (VR) goggles and step into a vault of computer servers and screens. Use your controllers to move forward onto a launch pad, which will trigger a cybersecurity challenge. Pass the test and move on to the next room. Need help? Just summon your digital droid named Robi and ask a question.
Welcome to USucceed, a platform University of Missouri researchers are building to teach cybersecurity to individuals with autism, dyslexia, attention-deficit disorders and other neurodevelopmental differences.
The platform serves two critical functions, said Noah Glaser, an assistant professor and director of the Information Experience Laboratory in Mizzou鈥檚 . First, it aims to address the growing need for a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Second, it prepares neurodivergent adults for lucrative and rewarding careers.
鈥淭echnology is everywhere,鈥 Glaser said. 鈥淭he more devices we have, the more security issues become prevalent, and the more data is taken, stolen and leaked. What we鈥檙e doing is helping bring neurodivergent individuals into the STEM workforce.鈥
Harnessing unique strengths
Since the 1990s, research has linked individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, particularly autism, to excelling in computer-related fields. This is often attributed to a logical thinking style. Virtual reality environments are especially suitable because settings can be changed to meet individual needs. For instance, lighting can be adjusted, stimuli can be reduced and settings can be customized.
鈥淧articipants are learning these important skills in a VR environment that is safe, controllable, adaptable and customizable to their unique skills and needs,鈥 Glaser adds.
Glaser and Prasad Calyam, the Greg L. Gilliom Professor in Cyber Security and Director of the Cyber Education, Research and Infrastructure Center (CERI), in Mizzou鈥檚 College of 糖心Vlog传媒, began building the platform last fall with funding from the National Science Foundation.
And young adults aren鈥檛 just learning to use the platform; they鈥檙e also helping design it. Neurodivergent individuals from Mizzou鈥檚 Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment鈥檚 STRIVE program for individual vocational experiences and Mizzou鈥檚 Preparing Adults for Work and Society (PAWS) program have been working alongside researchers, providing valuable insights and expertise.
鈥淩ecognizing the importance of engaging neurodivergent students in ways that support workforce development, we partnered with PAWS, to ensure these voices are central to the project,鈥 Glaser said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e teaching these individuals how to work in cyber environments, and they鈥檙e helping us build the program 鈥 getting paid while they learn cybersecurity and develop the game.鈥
Seven individuals assisted with the project this past school year, none of whom had prior cybersecurity experience. They were able to develop the system and learn the material in less than four months, Glaser said.
Expanding capabilities
This summer, participants in Calyam鈥檚 NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program helped further enhance the platform鈥檚 capabilities. More individuals from community programs will be hired this fall to continue building and testing the platform.
Once completed, the game will feature multiple levels, similar to an escape room challenge. The difficulty of each level can be adjusted based on a participant鈥檚 prior performance.
鈥淚n the first phase, we鈥檙e building a room to introduce users to the platform and concepts around cyberattacks,鈥 Calyam said. 鈥淚n later, more advanced rooms, they鈥檒l apply what they鈥檝e learned about cybersecurity to more sophisticated mock attacks. They鈥檒l have to use their knowledge and use the assistance of the AI-based pedagogical agent ‘Robi’ that we are developing to come up with creative solutions to various problems.鈥
Glaser said the ultimate goal is to scale up the platform and release it as open-source software so anyone can use it and adapt it to their needs.
鈥淲e鈥檙e passionate about working with neurodivergent individuals, but this tool can be used for any audience wanting to teach students to work in cybersecurity,鈥 he said. 鈥淓ven the smaller components, such as the AI agent, Robi, are novel and can be built upon and adapted to different environments. But our biggest takeaway so far? Don鈥檛 underestimate people because they have a diagnosis.鈥
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