Rubin Mathews

My research will identify structural weaknesses that adversaries can exploit to manipulate physical operations within critical public infrastructure that can lead to availability and safety issues

Started Jan. 15, 2026

Abstract or project description

My project will examine how cybersecurity vulnerabilities subsisting in industrial control systems that operate infrastructure such as water treatment and agrarian facilities. I will analyze how different components in the ICS compute chain like the physical plant, microcontrollers, scheduling logic, command systems, and supervisory interfaces interact through industrial protocols like Modbus and DNP3. By analyzing real-world cyber incidents with similar impairment, my research will identify weaknesses that attackers can exploit to manipulate physical processes or disrupt operations. My project will also explore strategies to mitigate the damage of attacks and improve the security of these systems for stronger structural frameworks and protocol protection. Ultimately, my goal is to further understand how industrial infrastructure can be protected against evolving cyber threats.