ROCHESTER, Mich. – As global cyberattacks escalate against military systems, energy grids, and autonomous technologies, the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Michigan Chapter will host the 10th Annual Cyber-Physical Systems Security Summit May 13–14, at Oakland University.
The summit, the only one of its kind in the United States, will convene some of the nation’s foremost defense strategists, military scientists, technology leaders, and business innovators to address existential threats to America’s critical infrastructure and battlefield systems.
The “one if a kind” nature of the conference is one of the things that makes it special, according to Jennifer Tisdale, NDIA board member and the event co-chair.
“There is no other conference dedicated to cyber physical systems within the military context,” Tisdale said. The narrative … is about protecting our war fighters and national security for all things cyber. So things that we’ve seen topical in the last couple of years would be Russia, Ukraine, and attacks on critical infrastructure for power grids and things of that nature.
“We’ve seen a lot commercially and in our geography for automotive with connected, automated and one day autonomous systems or robotics, and all of those lines of code create opportunity for vulnerability,” she added. So this conversation brings together the technical engineering expertise for mechanical and electrical engineers, software engineers, and cybersecurity professionals that are working towards a common goal, which is protecting national security.”
Attendees will engage with leaders shaping national security, including:
- Major General Paul Rogers, Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, discussing cyber-physical threats to domestic infrastructure.
- Dr. Dariusz Mikulski, Lead Research Scientist for the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and CPS³ Event Chair, presenting groundbreaking research on preventing robot hijacking in military systems.
- John Garstka, Director of Cyber Warfare for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, detailing unclassified five-year projections for Department of Defense (DoD) cyber threats.
- Brennan Hay, Cybersecurity Director at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Dan Trujillo, Space Cyber Resiliency Lead for the Air Force Research Laboratory, revealing strategies to secure aerospace systems.
- And additional leaders.
Sessions are designed to deliver tactical solutions, not theoretical debates:
- Robot Hijack Resiliency: Learn how the U.S. Army is hardening autonomous systems against cyberattacks.
- Securing the Skies: Boeing and NASA experts expose vulnerabilities in connected aviation systems.
- Digital Engineering Revolution: Carnegie Mellon and Army researchers demonstrate how artificial intelligence-driven design is transforming military cybersecurity.
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Capture-the-Flag: Hands-on exercises led by United States Army cyber specialists.
The summit is a unique event where automotive, aerospace, and robotics leaders can directly connect with:
- Procurement officers from the Department of Defense.
- Senior advisors from the United States Department of Energy.
- Innovators from NASA, General Dynamics, Bosch, and other Prime Contractors.
“The Cyber-Physical Systems Security Summit is where the nation’s brightest minds come together to confront the most urgent security challenges of our time,” Tisdale said. “This is the place where tomorrow’s defense strategies are forged, and attendees can become part of the solution.”
The summit, Tisdale pointed out, gives industry leaders a chance to:
- Align with Department of Defense Priorities: Learn how to position products and services for upcoming defense contracts in cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and digital engineering.
- Solve Real-World Challenges: Panels will dissect case studies from the Army, NASA, and critical infrastructure operators.
- Forge Defense Partnerships: Connect with the Michigan Capital Network’s Small Business Investment Company Critical Technologies Initiative, a gateway to defense funding.
- Networking: Meet and greet top defense companies and explore ways to collaborate.
“Technology changes so quickly, but it’s an ongoing conversation,” Tisdale pointed out. “The beauty of this event is it brings the makers and the breakers together so that they can have those conversations in a relatively safe space and they can brainstorm with each other. And that’s really where the magic happens is that natural tension between them really creates nice spark on stage. So we get excited about that.”
Event co-chair Dr. Darius Mikulski, lead research scientist, United States Army DEVCOM GVSC, called the summit a “unique opportunity to bridge the gap between research, policy, and real-world defense operations.”
“The conversations and collaborations that happen here will shape the future of cybersecurity for our nation’s most critical systems,” Mikulski said.
The event takes place May 13–14 at Oakland Center, 312 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, Mich. To register, go to https://www.ndia-mich.org/events/cyber-physical-systems-security-summit
