Inside INdiana Business is reporting that Purdue University is the first university in the U.S. to join a group of space industry leaders known as the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
The newly-formed nonprofit organization is billed as a central resource for gathering and sharing information on cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
The organization, which includes the public and private sectors, acts as a go-between to share knowledge about cybersecurity and other threats.
While ISACs are made up of predominantly industry leaders, the Space ISAC includes academia.
“We are gratified that the Space ISAC charter recognizes the critical role that academia must play in sustaining the security of our nation’s most critical infrastructure,” said Dan DeLaurentis, Purdue professor of aeronautics and astronautics. DeLaurentis represents the university on ISAC’s board of directors. “The Space ISAC is positioned at the nexus of three of Purdue’s highest priorities and core strengths: space, cybersecurity and strategic research partnerships with the private sector.”
DeLaurentis says Purdue will benefit from its ISAC membership as it will gain access to expansive information in the areas of cybersecurity as it pertains to space research.
There are about two dozen ISACs within the U.S, such as aviation, defense, and nuclear energy industries.