The University of Rhode Island’s Center for Cyber-Physical Intelligence and Security (CYPHER), Arcfield, and volunteers from the Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently co-organized the CYPHER IPT Meetings 2026, held June 15–18 in Rhode Island.

Now in its second year, the invitation-only forum, generously supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), brought together participants from 28 organizations representing government, industry, and academia. Through technical discussions, hands-on activities, research demonstrations, and networking, participants explored opportunities to strengthen cyber-physical security and resilience across critical infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and national defense applications.

The four-day program included Controlled Unclassified Information sessions at Arcfield in Middletown and open sessions at URI’s Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering in Kingston. This combination created opportunities for both focused technical exchange and broader cross-sector collaboration.

Dayne Broderson, Senior Technologist and Strategic Advisor at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and a CYPHER IPT 2026 volunteer, facilitates a breakout session during Day 1 of the Open Sessions.

Participating organizations included the Office of Naval Research, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Siemens Government Technologies, Clemson University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and many other government, industry, and academic partners. Together, participants contributed a wide range of operational, technical, and research perspectives.

Technical Exchange Through Active Participation

The CYPHER IPT Meetings are designed to foster active participation and collaboration. This year’s program featured panel discussions, technical breakout sessions, tutorials, workshops, tabletop exercises, and live demonstrations.

Discussion topics included cyber-physical security, smart and adaptive manufacturing, power and energy systems, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and operational technology security. Interactive session formats encouraged participants to exchange perspectives, explore practical challenges, and identify areas where collaboration could help move promising ideas toward mission-ready solutions.

Students, professors, and industry participants take part in a Red Team–Blue Team cybersecurity tabletop exercise designed by CYPHER IPT 2026 volunteers from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). The exercise challenged participants to examine cyber vulnerabilities, defensive strategies, and response approaches for cyber-physical and operational technology systems.

Participant feedback particularly emphasized the value of hands-on technical engagement, focused discussions, networking, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across sectors.

Highlighting Student Research and Innovation

Student participation was an important part of the 2026 meetings. A dedicated student demonstration and poster session gave students the opportunity to share research prototypes and emerging ideas directly with researchers, technical experts, government representatives, and industry practitioners.

The interactive format encouraged meaningful conversations around the students’ work and helped connect academic research with real-world challenges. Organizers and participants also valued the perspectives students contributed throughout the broader meeting discussions.

Building a Collaborative Community

Beyond the formal program, the meetings created space for participants to build new professional connections, explore shared interests, and discuss potential research and technical collaborations.

By bringing government, industry, academia, and students into the same conversation, the CYPHER IPT Meetings support a growing community focused on advancing secure and resilient cyber-physical systems. The 2026 gathering built on the foundation established during the inaugural meetings and reinforced the value of sustained cross-sector engagement. CYPHER extends its appreciation to the co-organizers, participating organizations, session leaders, speakers, moderators, volunteers, students, and attendees who contributed to the success of this year’s event.