- Date - April 29, 2026 Aerospace leaders, cybersecurity experts and students gathered at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University to address a pressing aerospace challenge: securing increasingly interconnected, AI-enabled flight and space systems. In an opening message to participants at the third annual ERAU-NASA-NSF Aerospace Cybersecurity Workshop at the Prescott Campus, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy test pilot and astronaut, said that “the stakes continue to grow” for aerospace cybersecurity. “As our aerospace systems become more connected and more complex, cybersecurity is no longer a standalone issue,” he said in the recorded message. “It is fundamental to safety, reliability and mission success.” Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, the Embry‑Riddle event brought together more than 75 professionals from over 50 organizations, as well as students from more than 25 universities. The two-day workshop addressed challenges ranging from securing aircraft systems, airline operations and air traffic control infrastructure to emerging issues related to advanced air mobility (AAM) and space-based technologies. Participants emphasized that aerospace cybersecurity is interdisciplinary, requiring coordination among engineers, operators, policymakers and cybersecurity specialists. “This workshop is about more than sharing ideas — it’s about bringing the right people into the same room to tackle challenges that no single sector can solve alone,” said Dr. Krishna Sampigethaya, chair of the Department of Cyber Intelligence and Security and NSF SFS principal investigator for the Prescott Campus. “By connecting students from across the nation with leaders from industry, government and academia, we are not only advancing solutions but also building the workforce needed to secure the future of aviation and space systems.” That reality was evident during a panel focused on aerospace cybersecurity careers, where four Embry‑Riddle students moderated a discussion with professionals from NASA, Boeing, airlines and other industry groups. Panelists described careers