George Mason University has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) to advance innovation on adaptive, AI-driven cyber defense. The project, led by Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology and ISEAI Director, will develop the Zero Trust Command Center (ZTCC) in partnership with OneTier, a Virginia-based cybersecurity startup.
The ZTCC integrates AI-powered threat detection with a modular Zero Trust framework to proactively identify, contain, and remediate cyber threats while reducing the burden on human analysts. This project is one of ten cybersecurity research efforts across Virginia to receive funding through the 2025 Commonwealth Cyber Incubator + Accelerator (CCI+A) program.
“This award recognizes Mason’s leadership in applied cyber research and strengthens our collaboration with industry to address pressing national security challenges,” said Dr. Albanese. “By combining academic expertise with OneTier’s innovation, we aim to deliver a scalable solution that helps public agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and mid-market companies defend against sophisticated cyberattacks.”
The CCI investment supports Virginia’s mission to accelerate translational research and workforce development in cybersecurity, ensuring the Commonwealth remains at the forefront of protecting critical systems and infrastructure.