Faction Networks and University at Albany SUNY’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) have launched a collaboration that blends cutting-edge cybersecurity technology with academic research and workforce development. At the heart of the initiative is a three-pronged effort: rigorous testing and validation of Faction’s proprietary decentralized Zero Trust networking hardware and software, joint research to create more accurate and risk-reducing cyber insurance models, and the introduction of advanced lab programs that connect students and faculty with real-world cybersecurity systems. By creating pilot programs for local businesses in the Capital Region, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and applied cybersecurity practice.
Geoff Halstead of Faction Networks emphasized that the U.S. faces a form of ongoing cyber warfare, citing threats from state-sponsored groups tied to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. He framed the partnership as part of a necessary “all of society” response, bringing academia, government, and the private sector into alignment. In his words, the effort not only improves Faction’s products but also ensures the development of a next-generation cyber workforce capable of defending the nation’s digital infrastructure. CEHC’s mission—interdisciplinary education, research, and problem-solving for 21st-century challenges—is reinforced by this collaboration, which leverages Faction’s disruptive Zero Trust approach to strengthen both pedagogy and applied research.
Dr. Ariel Pinto, Chair and Professor of CEHC’s Cybersecurity Department and Director of the Cyber Cascade Risk (CCR) Lab, underscored how the partnership deepens CEHC’s commitment to experiential learning. By embedding Faction’s technology in university labs, students gain access to the most advanced cybersecurity hardware and software in the field. This exposure, Pinto stressed, equips graduates to emerge not only as job-ready professionals but also as thought leaders capable of anticipating and addressing evolving cyber threats that endanger national security and the global economy.
The collaboration will also be spotlighted publicly at the State of Grace: Women in Tech Conference on November 7 at the University at Albany. Hosted annually by CEHC, the event promotes diversity and inclusion in technology fields. Faction will showcase its platform and solutions, while also engaging in discussions on the vital role of public-private collaboration in shaping secure technology futures and in nurturing diverse cybersecurity talent pipelines.
Leave a Reply