Dr. Voytek Panas

VUST: Forging the Next Generation of AI Security Leaders
In an era defined by rapid technological change and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the demand for professionals who can secure and defend AI-enabled systems has never been greater. At Virginia University of Science and Technology (VUST), we’re not just keeping pace — we’re leading the way.
Our graduate-level course, CSIS 658 Principles of Artificial Intelligence and Security, equips students with the advanced knowledge, practical skills, and strategic mindset required to confront the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow. This course blends the foundational principles of computing and network defense with emerging realities in AI security, preparing graduates to serve as trusted leaders in government, industry, and national security.
Students in CSIS 658 learn how to:
Analyze the unique threat landscape posed by AI-enabled systems, including adversarial attacks, data manipulation, and emerging exploitation techniques.
Apply rigorous security principles to the design, deployment, and governance of AI technologies.
Develop strategic defenses that protect organizations, critical infrastructure, and citizens from cyber risk.
By integrating real-world scenarios, hands-on labs, and expert instruction, VUST ensures our graduates are not just technically proficient — they understand how to think like defenders and act like leaders.

In today’s connected world, cybersecurity is national security. The future belongs to those who can both innovate with artificial intelligence and protect against its misuse. At VUST, we’re committed to developing that future — one student at a time.

📌 Join us as we build resilient cyber professionals ready to defend digital frontiers.

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our incredible graduates! Join us as we honor their hard work, resilience, and success during our Graduation Ceremony Livestream.

📺 The livestream link will be posted here shortly before the event begins (June 28th 10AM)— stay tuned!

Let’s come together to cheer on our graduates and celebrate this important milestone. 🎊🎓💙

What a great looking group of students in their traditional outfits. Happy Eid al-Adha to those who celebrate today!

During our recent graduation, we awarded an honorary degree to Dr. John Mather. Dr. Mather is a 2006 Nobel Prize winner in physics for his work on the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite. We were honored to have Dr. Mather accept the award and address our students!

Our commencement ceremony was graced by distinguished guests and speakers. Pictured from right to left: Honorable Chung K. Pak, Chief Administrative Law Judge of Maryland; Vice Admiral Lewis Crenshaw; Honorable Susan Lee, Maryland's Secretary of State; and Dr. John Mather, Nobel Prize winner in Physics. Thank you for helping make this event unforgettable and truly special for our graduates!

Last Saturday, December 14, VIST celebrated a commencement ceremony. Approximately 80 students participated in the event assisted with over 300 guests and family members. Congratulations to our graduates! You did it! We are very proud of you!

We are excited to announce that our first class of our new MBA program started last week!