Madison Reporter

The University of Wisconsin–Madison recently hosted a delegation from the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), reinforcing its role as a leader in cybersecurity research and education. The visit, which took place on November 21, included Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, deputy commander of USCYBERCOM, and colleagues from federal intelligence agencies.

During their time on campus, the delegation visited various research labs and attended events showcasing UW–Madison's strengths in cyber research and education. A highlight was the first-ever USCYBERCOM Tech Talk hosted by an academic institution, featuring faculty members discussing advanced communication technologies and other cyber-related areas.

UW–Madison is a founding member of USCYBERCOM’s Academic Engagement Network and has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research by the National Security Agency.

Col. Raul Rodríguez-Medellin, deputy director of the Office of Academic Engagements at USCYBERCOM and a UW–Madison alumnus, visited a public policy class at the La Follette School of Public Affairs before the official visit began.

The federal delegation met with researchers in physics and engineering departments to learn about work on quantum computing and cybersecurity. Physicist Akbar Safari demonstrated a quantum network experiment that could enhance intelligence gathering and secure communication. Physics professor Mark Eriksson explained the necessity of operating silicon-based qubits at extremely low temperatures using a dilution refrigerator funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

In engineering, Jennifer Choy and doctoral student Xuting Yang showcased how metallized grating chips can replace free-space optics for quantum applications. Kassem Fawaz demonstrated his lab's work on digital privacy related to smartphone apps like TikTok and Instagram.

The delegation also toured Morgridge Hall, future home to the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences set to open in summer 2025. This state-of-the-art building aims to attract top faculty and students to computer science programs.

Lt. Gen. Hartman delivered a keynote address emphasizing partnerships between USCYBERCOM and universities like UW–Madison: “We’re not only building partnerships — we’re building the next generation of cyber leaders.” In a fireside chat with Vice Chancellor Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, they discussed academia's role in advancing cyber capabilities and preparing a capable workforce.

Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau opened the Tech Talk series by highlighting ongoing investments in high-tech fields with new constructions like Morgridge Hall.