Research

My research sits at the intersection of computer networks, software-defined infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and resilient digital systems. I study how intelligent control, secure architecture, and data-driven observability can be applied to communication networks and critical infrastructure environments where performance, trust, and operational continuity are essential.

I am especially interested in environments where information technology and operational technology converge, including telecommunications, energy systems, industrial control systems, cloud-native platforms, and enterprise identity ecosystems. Across these domains, my work focuses on building systems that are measurable, adaptive, secure, and practical to deploy at scale.

Current Research Themes

AI for network performance optimization and predictive monitoring
Software-defined networking and secure control-plane design
AI-assisted 5G/6G architecture, orchestration, and observability
Zero trust architecture for enterprise and critical infrastructure systems
Identity, access, and trust management for distributed environments
Cloud-native and Infrastructure-as-Code approaches for network automation
Cyber resilience for operational technology and industrial systems
Post-quantum security for critical digital infrastructure

PhD Research Interests

My intended PhD research direction extends these themes toward trustworthy intelligent infrastructure. I am particularly interested in:

AI-driven observability for mission-critical and safety-critical systems
Secure autonomy and policy enforcement in distributed cyber-physical systems
Resilient operational technology monitoring for oil and gas, power, grid, and telecom sectors
Adaptive zero trust and federated identity models for cross-domain infrastructure
Threat-informed architecture for protecting critical services against emerging and agentic attacks
Post-quantum migration strategies for long-lived infrastructure and regulated sectors

Research Interest

Primary Computer Networks · Wireless Mobile Networks · Software-Defined Networking (SDN) · AI-Assisted Network Management · 5G/6G Communication Systems · Network Performance Modeling · Network Optimization · Cloud-Native Networking · Edge and Distributed Computing · Intelligent Communication Systems

Secondary Network Security and Resilience · Zero Trust Network Architecture · Network Automation and Orchestration · Federated Learning for Communication Networks · Post-Quantum Network Security · Cloud Computing · Internet of Things (IoT) · Critical Infrastructure Communications

Critical Infrastructure Security Research (2026)

Alongside the networking work above, I run an independent, self-funded research program that builds open, reproducible data resources and tools for U.S. oil, natural gas, and electric infrastructure operators, particularly smaller operators without dedicated security teams. All resources use public data only and are openly licensed.

Vulnerability prioritization for operational technology

ONG-OT Vulnerability Prioritization Dataset (v1.1, 10.5281/zenodo.22729882), with S. Abutu and A. Orimogunje
icsprio, Python package for joining and prioritizing ICS advisories (10.5281/zenodo.22732040)
State of OT Vulnerability Exposure in US Oil and Natural Gas, 2026 (10.5281/zenodo.22974795)

Post-quantum readiness for energy OT

PQC transition crosswalk for energy OT protocols (preprint 10.5281/zenodo.22852907)
CBOM Builder, cryptographic bill of materials for OT components (10.5281/zenodo.22783090)
PQC Readiness of the Energy OT Stack: A 2026 Baseline (10.5281/zenodo.22975133)

Policy and control alignment

Human-adjudicated crosswalk of TSA pipeline requirements, CPG 2.0, CSF 2.0 and NERC CIP (10.5281/zenodo.22852102)
Crosswalk Lookup, with D. Mike-Ewewie and O. M. Ayozie (10.5281/zenodo.22785152)

Federal incident data and public comment

Validation of PHMSA and OE-417 cause codes for control-system and communications failures (10.5281/zenodo.22840652)
Public comment to NIST on modernizing the National Vulnerability Database (September 2026)

Integration prototypes and reproducibility

Critical Infrastructure Resilience Command Center (synthetic assets only)
Post-quantum secure critical infrastructure lab and AI predictive maintenance lab
reproflow, reproducibility framework for security data pipelines (PyPI)

Selected Research Contributions

AI-Enabled Monitoring and Observability
Explored how AI can improve proactive performance monitoring, anomaly detection, and security visibility across emerging network environments.

Infrastructure-as-Code for 5G Systems
Reviewed deployment and orchestration approaches for 5G RAN, core, and service-based interfaces using Infrastructure-as-Code methodologies.

Secure SDN for Future Networks
Analyzed emerging cyber threats affecting software-defined 5G and future network architectures, with emphasis on mitigation and resilience.

Critical Infrastructure Security Architecture
Investigated decentralized trust, federated identity, and zero trust enforcement models for cross-sector critical infrastructure protection.

Post-Quantum Infrastructure Resilience
Studied migration strategies for high-value infrastructure systems that must remain secure against future quantum-capable adversaries.

Research Impact