Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10am -11 am CDT - Critical Function Analysis & Engineered Controls Seminar
This 1-hour virtual seminar on Critical Function Analysis & Engineered Controls is essential for Engineers, Operators, Technicians, IT/OT Cybersecurity Specialists, and Managers in industrial environments. It provides vital insights into identifying crucial system components, understanding dependencies, and embedding robust security controls into designs to enhance resilience against escalating cyber threats. This session offers a foundational look at key principles of Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE), preceding our comprehensive August training. This seminar will be conducted by experts from Idaho National Labs (INL).
This 1-hour virtual seminar on Critical Function Analysis & Engineered Controls is essential for Engineers, Operators, Technicians, IT/OT Cybersecurity Specialists, and Managers in industrial environments. It provides vital insights into identifying crucial system components, understanding dependencies, and embedding robust security controls into designs to enhance resilience against escalating cyber threats. This session offers a foundational look at key principles of Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE), preceding our comprehensive August training. This seminar will be conducted by experts from Idaho National Labs (INL).
Why Attend?
In an era of escalating cyber threats against critical infrastructure, understanding what truly matters in your systems and how to proactively build in defenses is paramount. Traditional engineering is no longer enough to protect against attacks occurring about 13 times every second, ransomware impacting nearly 1 in 4 breaches, and OT/ICS vulnerabilities surging by 70%. This seminar will highlight why a consequence-driven approach and engineered controls are vital for safeguarding operations, minimizing vulnerabilities, and building systems that are resilient from the ground up, aligning with the core tenets of Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE).
What You Will Learn:
This focused seminar will provide vital insights and foundational knowledge on Critical Function Analysis & Engineered Controls, enabling you to:
Explain necessary versus unnecessary features and components within an industrial system.
Identify how unnecessary system elements can introduce vulnerabilities or allow for manipulation.
Identify and describe the specific nature of systems and capabilities that a system is dependent upon to perform its critical functions.
Analyze how downstream systems and capabilities are dependent upon a system's critical functions.
Who Should Attend?
This seminar is essential for Engineers, Operators, Technicians, IT/OT Cybersecurity Specialists, and Managers in industrial environments who need to understand system criticality and proactive defense strategies.
About the Organizers:
This seminar is part of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded initiative, the Cybersecurity Consortium for Innovation, which emphasizes building resilience by integrating robust cybersecurity into engineering design and operations. This effort is a collaboration with partners including Forge Institute, the University of Arkansas, UA Little Rock, and Bastazo, working to establish a stackable certification program called Cyber-Informed Engineering.
August 12, 2025, Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Phillip Huff, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Bastazo
Join us for a virtual session with Dr. Phillip Huff. Dr. Huff is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Bastazo where he leads research and development, applying artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to deliver innovative cybersecurity solutions that empower organizations to proactively defend their critical infrastructure.
As cyber defense grows increasingly more complex, articicial intelligence now plays a practical role in tracking assets, vulnerabilities, and threats at scale. This session oulines the AI tools in use at UA Little Rock, showing how analysts and students apply them to optimize defense strategy. Dr. Huff will also preview prototypes being built for the cybersecurity clinics, which will turn raw data into clear, actionable guidance for the organizations they serve.
WHEN: August 8, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
WHERE: Virtual
Join us for a virtual session with Dr. Phillip Huff. Dr. Huff is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Bastazo where he leads research and development, applying artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to deliver innovative cybersecurity solutions that empower organizations to proactively defend their critical infrastructure.
As cyber defense grows increasingly more complex, articicial intelligence now plays a practical role in tracking assets, vulnerabilities, and threats at scale. This session oulines the AI tools in use at UA Little Rock, showing how analysts and students apply them to optimize defense strategy. Dr. Huff will also preview prototypes being built for the cybersecurity clinics, which will turn raw data into clear, actionable guidance for the organizations they serve.
WHEN: August 8, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm CDT
WHERE: Virtual
August 14-15, 2025, Forge Institute | 2-Day Cyber-Informed Engineering Workshop
Join us for an Intensive Industrial Cybersecurity Training focusing on Foundational Modules for Cyber-Informed Engineers. These modules are part of a larger objective with our collaboration partners, the University of Arkansas, UALR, and Bastazo, to establish a stackable certification program called Cyber-Informed Engineering. You will master practical, hands-on skills to defend critical infrastructure against cyber threats in:
PLC Programming : Master PLC programming essentials: components, functions, languages, and ladder logic.
Critical Function Analysis: Identify critical system functions, their dependencies, and related vulnerabilities using Cyber-Informed Engineering.
Cyber Consequence Analysis: Evaluate cyber event consequences to define, classify, and prioritize the protection of critical functions.
Join us for an Intensive Industrial Cybersecurity Training focusing on Foundational Modules for Cyber-Informed Engineers. These modules are part of a larger objective with our collaboration partners, the University of Arkansas, UALR, and Bastazo, to establish a stackable certification program called Cyber-Informed Engineering. You will master practical, hands-on skills to defend critical infrastructure against cyber threats in:
PLC Programming : Master PLC programming essentials: components, functions, languages, and ladder logic.
Critical Function Analysis: Identify critical system functions, their dependencies, and related vulnerabilities using Cyber-Informed Engineering.
Cyber Consequence Analysis: Evaluate cyber event consequences to define, classify, and prioritize the protection of critical functions.
WHEN: August 14-15, 2025
WHERE: Little Rock, Arkansas
WHY: Traditional engineering is no longer enough to defend against escalating cyber threats to critical infrastructure, which are occurring about 13 times every second. Ransomware impacted nearly 1 in 4 reported breaches at critical infrastructure organizations, and known OT/ICS vulnerabilities surged by 70% in early 2024.
This training instills the vital Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) mindset, integrating robust cybersecurity into system design and operation from the outset. This U.S. Department of Energy-funded initiative is essential for building resilience and protecting our nation's critical services.
July 8, 2025 Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Amanda Belloff
Cyber Enabled Sabotage and Critical Function Assurance examines the current threat environment through the lens of cyber-enabled sabotage and introduces the importance of understanding how critical functions are delivered to focus and prioritize engineering and cybersecurity efforts to ensure safe/reliable operations even in the face of determine and skilled adversary.
Presented by Amanda Belloff, Program Manager at Idaho National Labs.
Event Details
Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 11 am - 12 pm CDT
Location: Virtual
Learn More at: Eventbrite
Cyber Enabled Sabotage and Critical Function Assurance examines the current threat environment through the lens of cyber-enabled sabotage and introduces the importance of understanding how critical functions are delivered to focus and prioritize engineering and cybersecurity efforts to ensure safe/reliable operations even in the face of determine and skilled adversary.
Presented by Amanda Belloff, Program Manager at Idaho National Labs.
2025 Fall Tech Entrepreneurship Course
Forge Institute, and UA Little Rock Tech Launch have partnered to deliver a dynamic Tech Entrepreneurship course integrated with Forge Institute's Embers Xcelerator program.
Event Details
Date: Fall 2025 Semester
Location: UA Little Rock
Learn More at: ualr.edu
Forge Institute, and UA Little Rock Tech Launch have partnered to deliver a dynamic Tech Entrepreneurship course integrated with Forge Institute's Embers Xcelerator program.
This collaboration aims to equip students with the essential skills and connections to transform innovative ideas into viable tech ventures. The course, now part of the official UA Little Rock catalog, brings together business-minded students and tech-savvy innovators. Participants will gain hands-on experience in launching startups, covering everything from ideation and market validation to funding and go-to-market strategies.
July 21-25, 2025 | Gen Cyber Camp for Rising 9th - 12th Graders
The GenCyber program, funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation, aims to equip the next generation with vital digital security skills.
Event Details
Date: July 21-25, 2025
Time: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: TBD
Register: https://www.uaht.edu/gencyber/
Forge Institute is excited to announce that applications are now open for 50 coveted spots in its upcoming GenCyber Student Camp. This grant supported week-long camp, running from July 21-25, 2025, is designed to ignite interest in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity among rising 9th to 12th-grade students. the camp will be held locally and lunch is provided.
The GenCyber program, funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation, aims to equip the next generation with vital digital security skills. Students attending the Forge Institute GenCyber Student Camp will explore core cybersecurity concepts such as Defense in Depth, Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, thinking like an adversary, and keeping it simple. The curriculum will also cover topics like cryptography, cryptanalysis, and ethical hacking principles through hands-on training, interactive activities, and engagement with industry experts. Students will make and take their own raspberry pi computer. Register Now
June 10, 2025 | Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Dr. Chris Farnell
Join us for this virtual session presented by Dr. Chris Farnell.
Chris received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2020 and is an IEEE Senior Member. His research interests include Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure, Embedded System Design, FPGA Design, Advanced Control Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Power Electronics. He is currently serving as an Associate Director for the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) located at the University of Arkansas. This 12,000 square-foot laboratory provides the equipment, technical staff, and instrumentation to test and evaluate power electronic circuits and systems at realistic industrial and distribution voltage levels up to 6 MVA power ratings. Chris is the current chair for the IEEE Ozark Section, treasurer for the newly formed IEEE Computer Society Chapter, the CyberHogs Registered Student Organization (RSO) faculty mentor, and remains active in K-12 outreach activities.
Event Details
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: VIRTUAL
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1376213384279?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us for this virtual session presented by Dr. Chris Farnell.
CYBERSECURITY FOR OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Chris received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2020 and is an IEEE Senior Member. His research interests include Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure, Embedded System Design, FPGA Design, Advanced Control Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Power Electronics. He is currently serving as an Associate Director for the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) located at the University of Arkansas. This 12,000 square-foot laboratory provides the equipment, technical staff, and instrumentation to test and evaluate power electronic circuits and systems at realistic industrial and distribution voltage levels up to 6 MVA power ratings. Chris is the current chair for the IEEE Ozark Section, treasurer for the newly formed IEEE Computer Society Chapter, the CyberHogs Registered Student Organization (RSO) faculty mentor, and remains active in K-12 outreach activities.
May 22, 2025 | NWA Preview Night for the Phoenix Xcelerator Cohort
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a mission-driven initiative that honors the Warrior Ethos by forging solutions to outpace adversaries and ensure warfighter readiness.
Event Details
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30
Location: 700 SE 5th St #130, Bentonville, AR 72712
Event Details
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30
Location: 700 SE 5th St #130, Bentonville, AR 72712
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1364630218719?aff=oddtdtcreator
What to Expect
Program Overview: Discover how the Phoenix Xcelerator’s 12-week curriculum, personalized mentorship, and access to defense networks accelerate mission-driven technologies.
Networking: Connect with industry leaders, military mission owners, and fellow innovators dedicated to national security and the Warrior Ethos of selfless service.
Cohort Insights: Get a sneak peek at the 2025 cohort startups whose solutions enhance warfighter capabilities.
Who Should Attend?
Entrepreneurs, academics, and startups with defense-relevant technologies.
Industry professionals and veterans passionate about aerospace and defense innovation.
Community leaders committed to strengthening Arkansas’s defense ecosystem.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a mission-driven initiative that honors the Warrior Ethos by forging solutions to outpace adversaries and ensure warfighter readiness.
May 29, 2025 Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day
What: Forge Institute Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day, Sponsored in-part by AEDC & WFF
Why: Demo Day serves as the culmination of an intensive 12-week program, providing a platform for innovative Aerospace and Defense startups to showcase their companies and technology to a curated audience of investors, strategic partners, mission owners, contracting and procurement professionals, and business and community leaders. This event is not just about making presentations, it is about connecting innovators with mission owners, partners and enablers, and working together to drive innovation for the warfighter that increases readiness, enhances lethality, ensures survivability and maximizes mission effectiveness.
Who: Business and Community Leaders, Elected Officials, Defense Companies, Military leaders and mission operators, Academic Partners
When: 29 May 2025 (2-5 pm)
Startup Presentations & Keynotes (2-4 pm)
Happy Hour, Networking & Meeting the Startup Founders (4-5 pm)
Where: Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
What: Forge Institute Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day, Sponsored in-part by AEDC & WFF
Why: Demo Day serves as the culmination of an intensive 12-week program, providing a platform for innovative Aerospace and Defense startups to showcase their companies and technology to a curated audience of investors, strategic partners, mission owners, contracting and procurement professionals, and business and community leaders. This event is not just about making presentations, it is about connecting innovators with mission owners, partners and enablers, and working together to drive innovation for the warfighter that increases readiness, enhances lethality, ensures survivability and maximizes mission effectiveness.
Who: Business and Community Leaders, Elected Officials, Defense Companies, Military leaders and mission operators, Academic Partners
When: 29 May 2025 (2-5 pm)
Startup Presentations & Keynotes (2-4 pm)
Happy Hour, Networking & Meeting the Startup Founders (4-5 pm)
Where: Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
April 24, 2025 The Defense Catalyst: SIBR/STTR Workshop
FIND OUT ABOUT FUNDING FOR YOUR DEFENSE IDEAS.
Join Forge and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) program for a workshop focused on how innovators can engage with the Department of Defense through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
This session will provide an overview of SBIR/STTR and how the program funds emerging technologies for national defense applications. We’ll highlight ways small businesses and researchers can leverage SBIR funding to move from idea to impact and share practical tips for getting started.
Whether you’re a small business new to federal funding or a researcher exploring dual-use applications, this session will help you better understand the SBIR landscape and how to participate.
APEX operates under a partnership intermediary agreement (PIA) with the Department of the Air Force and managed by Parallax Advanced Research. APEX’s mission is to connect universities, businesses, and the government; build collaborations between these sectors; identify their transformational operational defense solutions and capabilities; and advance defense technology development for the Department of the Air Force.
FIND OUT ABOUT FUNDING FOR YOUR DEFENSE IDEAS.
Join Forge and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) program for a workshop focused on how innovators can engage with the Department of Defense through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
This session will provide an overview of SBIR/STTR and how the program funds emerging technologies for national defense applications. We’ll highlight ways small businesses and researchers can leverage SBIR funding to move from idea to impact and share practical tips for getting started.
Whether you’re a small business new to federal funding or a researcher exploring dual-use applications, this session will help you better understand the SBIR landscape and how to participate.
APEX operates under a partnership intermediary agreement (PIA) with the Department of the Air Force and managed by Parallax Advanced Research. APEX’s mission is to connect universities, businesses, and the government; build collaborations between these sectors; identify their transformational operational defense solutions and capabilities; and advance defense technology development for the Department of the Air Force.
May 13, 2025 Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Virginia Wright of Idaho National Labs
There are many parallels between a great technology career and a hero’s journey. We start out with one set of capabilities and expectations, and over time, hone our knowledge, skills, and abilities to have a greater impact on the world around us and receive greater rewards. We gain tools, contacts, and experiences that can help us on our way, and our goals and objectives change as our capabilities advance. Through the metaphor of an adventure game, this talk will help you identify how you can “level-up” your career and refine how you use your attributes and inventory for success.
There are many parallels between a great technology career and a hero’s journey. We start out with one set of capabilities and expectations, and over time, hone our knowledge, skills, and abilities to have a greater impact on the world around us and receive greater rewards. We gain tools, contacts, and experiences that can help us on our way, and our goals and objectives change as our capabilities advance. Through the metaphor of an adventure game, this talk will help you identify how you can “level-up” your career and refine how you use your attributes and inventory for success.
30 APR - 1 MAY, 2025 - Research Day
Connecting academia & government to explore cyber, AI, & critical infrastructure workforce & research innovations to support the warfighter.
AI/Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Research Day
Apr 30 - May 1, 2025
Co-Hosted by UA Little Rock, University of Arkansas & UA Pine Bluff
INVITATION
Join us for a premier event connecting government agencies and academic institutions to explore cyber, AI, and critical infrastructure workforce and research innovations that support the warfighter.
This Research Day facilitates collaboration between federal research entities, academic researchers, and government agencies by showcasing research, identifying mission needs, and advancing technology for national security.
Who Should Attend:
This event is tailored for government program managers seeking to align their mission needs with innovative academic research in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and critical infrastructure. It is also designed for academic researchers looking to showcase their work, understand federal R&D priorities, and explore opportunities for technology transition into government applications. Senior leaders, policy makers, and representatives from research institutions and federal agencies will benefit from this focused engagement.
What to Expect:
Over two days, attendees will engage with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and research presentations highlighting national security R&D priorities. Sessions will cover securing research, addressing workforce gaps, and leveraging academic innovation for national defense. The agenda includes breakout discussions, networking opportunities, and one-on-one meetings to facilitate direct collaboration between academia and government entities. A classified session will be available for eligible participants, providing deeper insights into mission-critical research needs.
This event is open exclusively to government agencies and academic institutions.
Forge Institute’s Atomic Anvil program is in partnership with APEX, a Department of Air Force (DAF) Partnership Intermediary Program (PIA). https://apex-innovates.org
AGENDA
Tuesday, Apr 29:
6:00 PM Reception/Happy Hour - Venue TBD (optional)
Wednesday, Apr 30:
7:00 AM Breakfast, Registration, Check-in
8:00 AM Welcome Remarks
8:15 AM Keynote Speaker
9:00 AM National Security Research & Development Priorities
9:30 AM Arkansas Federal Research & Development Report
10:00 AM Networking & 30 minute break
10:30 AM Academic Presentations
Group A - Workforce
Group B - Research
12:00 PM Lunch & Panel Discussions: Program Manager Priorities
01:15 PM Presentation: Threats to Research
01:45 PM Panel Discussions: Securing Research
02:30 PM Networking & 30 minute break
03:00 PM Panel Discussion
04:00 PM Panel Discussion
04:45 PM Closing & Keynote Speaker
05:00 PM Happy Hour & Posters
Thursday, May 1:
7:30 AM Breakout sessions
Group 1 (Classified)*
Group 2 (Unclassified)
11:30 AM Lunch & Guest Speaker
01:00 PM 1 on 1s
02:30 PM Facilitated Q&A
03:00 PM Closing & Keynote Speaker
*additional information will be provided soon