UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The College of Engineering's Networking and Security Research Center (NSRC) is now the Institute of Networking and Security Research.
Thomas La Porta, the Leonhard Chair Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and director of the new institute, said the name change and elevation of title are meant to accurately reflect the organization's growth and success since its inception in 2003.
The name and status change were approved by Penn State's Office of the Vice President of Research at the end of July.
La Porta said the new institute will continue research in network science, including wireless mobile networks, information theory and security, and serve as a focal point to the Penn State community for all aspects of communication networks and computer and communications and security.
The NSRC was originally established within the College's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. From 2007 to 2009, the center was designated as a Ben Franklin Center of Excellence.
In 2008 the NSRC expanded its scope to include researchers and collaborators from the College of Engineering, College of Information Sciences and Technology, Smeal College of Business, Dickinson School of Law, Penn State Great Valley, the Applied Research Laboratory and the School of International Affairs. As a result, NSRC researchers have examined issues including privacy, cryptography, secure supply chain, electronic voting, and government policy and regulations towards communications technologies.
Since 2005, NSRC members have been awarded more than $27 million in new funding, including $5.5 million in 2012. NSRC funding agencies include the National Science Foundation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Army Research Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory and Defense Threat Reduction Agency.