What’s New From the Cybersecurity Research Centre at UC Berkeley?

Table of Contents

• What is the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity?
• Key Initiatives and Programs
• Cal Cybersecurity Research Fellowship on AI
• UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic
• Cybersecurity Futures 2025
• Projects from Berkeley Lab
• Master of Information and Cybersecurity Program
• Security Research in EECS
• Surveys and Partnerships for Nonprofits
• Summary Table of Key Projects
• Conclusion

What is the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity?

The Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, or CLTC, is a research hub at UC Berkeley's School of Information dedicated to addressing future cybersecurity challenges. Established in 2015 with funding from the Hewlett Foundation, it focuses on where humans meet digital systems. Unlike short-term fixes, CLTC thinks ahead, exploring privacy, online safety, and network security to ensure technology benefits everyone.

CLTC collaborates with government, industry, and civil society. It runs programs like the Public Interest Cybersecurity initiative to protect vulnerable groups and the Internet Atlas to map global risks. For newcomers, this means creating policies and tools that prevent problems before they arise, like securing elections or smart cities.

• Multidisciplinary approach: Combines tech, law, and social sciences.
• Student involvement: Trains future leaders through fellowships and clinics.
• Global impact: Influences policies worldwide via reports and partnerships.

In 2025, CLTC continues to expand, emphasizing AI's role in defense and community resilience.

Key Initiatives and Programs

CLTC's initiatives tackle diverse threats. The Public Interest Cybersecurity program aids schools, hospitals, and governments with tailored defenses. It includes arts grants to explore cultural aspects of security and card games to teach about threats.

Another effort is the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, co-founded by CLTC, aiming for a clinic in every U.S. state. These provide hands-on training and services to at-risk groups.

• CyberCAN: Partners with cities for nonprofit security surveys.
• Citizen Clinic: Pro bono help for organizations facing attacks.
• Tech Policy Fellows: Addresses AI and policy intersections.

These programs democratize cybersecurity, making it inclusive and proactive.

Cal Cybersecurity Research Fellowship on AI

The 2025 Cal Cybersecurity Research Fellowship funds projects up to $30,000 for students and postdocs exploring AI in defense. It targets automation like SOAR, which uses machine learning to detect and respond to threats autonomously.

Aimed at advancing defender capabilities, it supports exploratory studies or full projects. Past fellows have tackled generative AI risks, showing Berkeley's focus on emerging tech.

• Seed funding: For pilots under $15,000.
• Discrete projects: Defined outcomes with high impact.
• Expenses covered: Salaries, travel, supplies.

This fellowship nurtures innovation, preparing researchers for AI-amplified security.

UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic

The UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic, formerly Citizen Clinic, enters its seventh year in 2024-2025 with record enrollment of 34 students. Students provide pro bono digital security to nonprofits, learning through real cases like phishing defenses.

Supported by a $2.2 million Google grant, it collaborates with other clinics and surveys alumni for stronger networks. Taught in-person and online, it bridges academia and practice.

• Hands-on training: Assess risks and implement fixes.
• Expansion: Partnerships with human rights clinics.
• Career boost: Leads to jobs in a field with 600,000 U.S. openings.

The clinic empowers small organizations, reducing vulnerabilities in communities.

Cybersecurity Futures 2025

Cybersecurity Futures 2025, a CLTC-led initiative, uses scenarios to prepare for 2025 challenges. Workshops with global stakeholders explore tactics like rapid adaptation in changing environments.

The report offers insights for decision-makers, emphasizing foresight over reaction.

• Scenario-based: Depicts potential threats and responses.
• Collaborative: With CNA and World Economic Forum.
• Policy roadmap: Drives new strategies.

It equips leaders to navigate AI, geopolitics, and more.

Projects from Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab leads DOE-funded projects for energy cybersecurity. One develops privacy-preserving platforms for utilities to share threat info without compromising data.

MAGIC uses AI to detect attacks on distributed energy resources like solar panels. Trusted CI, an NSF center, secures scientific computing with guides and matrices.

• $4.9M funding: For grid security innovations.
• OT Procurement: Tools for operational tech security.
• Expert interviews: Insights like Sean Peisert's on research.

These efforts safeguard critical infrastructure amid clean energy growth.

Master of Information and Cybersecurity Program

The MICS program trains leaders with technical and contextual skills. Capstone projects like SAGA combat alert fatigue for analysts, and OZKi prevents PII leaks using zero-knowledge proofs.

Showcases in 2024-2025 highlight innovations, with awards for excellence.

• Holistic curriculum: Covers ethics, law, and tech.
• Online format: 20 months, immersive experiences.
• Job growth: Aligns with 33% demand rise by 2030.

MICS graduates lead in protecting data across sectors.

Security Research in EECS

The EECS Security Group innovates in human-centric security and phishing prevention. Faculty like Dawn Song, elected to the American Academy in 2025, advance ubiquitous security.

CS 161 course teaches fundamentals, with labs like BLUES focusing on usable security.

• Collaborations: With law and policy schools.
• TRUST Center: Headquarters for secure tech research.
• Awards: Recognizing leaders like David Wagner.

This research grounds theory in practice, influencing global standards.

Surveys and Partnerships for Nonprofits

CLTC partners with WaTech for Washington nonprofit surveys, revealing gaps like no IT staff in 53% of cases. Funded by Okta, it connects groups to resources.

CyberCAN extends this, highlighting risks for underserved communities.

• Pilot findings: 84% face frequent attacks.
• State models: Whole-of-state approaches.
• Interventions: Training and vendor links.

These build resilience for vital services.

Summary Table of Key Projects

Conclusion

UC Berkeley's cybersecurity efforts, led by CLTC, are forging paths to a secure digital era. From AI fellowships and clinics aiding nonprofits to lab projects protecting energy grids, these initiatives blend innovation with inclusivity. In 2025, as threats grow, Berkeley's forward-thinking approach ensures technology amplifies benefits while minimizing risks. By educating leaders and influencing policy, it safeguards communities worldwide.

What is CLTC's mission?

CLTC anticipates digital security challenges to ensure safe technology benefits for all.

What does the Cal Fellowship fund?

AI and machine learning for cyber defense, up to $30,000.

How does the Cybersecurity Clinic work?

Students offer pro bono security help to nonprofits.

What is Cybersecurity Futures 2025?

Scenarios for preparing future threats via workshops.

What are Berkeley Lab's contributions?

Privacy platforms and AI for energy cybersecurity.

What is MICS?

Online master's preparing cybersecurity leaders.

Who leads EECS security research?

Faculty like Dawn Song innovate in secure tech.

What surveys does CLTC conduct?

Nonprofit cybersecurity gaps with partners like WaTech.

How does CLTC support public interest?

Through clinics and community defense roadmaps.

What is Trusted CI?

NSF center securing scientific computing.

What capstone projects stand out?

SAGA for alert management and OZKi for PII protection.

How does Berkeley address AI in cyber?

Research on generative AI and automation.

What is the Consortium of Clinics?

Network expanding cybersecurity education.

What funding supports energy projects?

DOE's CESER for DER security.

What is CyberCAN?

Partnership for cities and nonprofit security.

How does CLTC engage industry?

Collaborations on governance and risk.

What courses teach security?

CS 161 and INFO cybersecurity classes.

What is the Tech Policy Fellows program?

Non-residential research on responsible tech.

How does Berkeley promote usable security?

Via labs like BLUES and human-centric research.

What future challenges does CLTC foresee?

Geopolitical risks and AI threats via scenarios.