
The Brain Autonomy and Resiliency (BAR) Lab recently had the honor of attending the IEEE SoutheastCon 2025 Conference, where we had the opportunity to present and discuss our research titled, “Collaborative Cybersecurity Education for Advancing Precision Agriculture in Rural Settings.” The research was authored by Saman Sargolzaei, Sandy Mehlhorn, Barbara Darroch, Bethany Wolters, John Cole, Seth Hatchett, and Arman Sargolzaei, and it addresses the pressing need for cybersecurity training in the rapidly evolving field of precision agriculture.
SoutheastCon is the annual IEEE Region 3 Technical, Professional, and Student Conference, bringing together experts in computer science, electrical engineering, and cybersecurity to share cutting-edge knowledge. The conference serves as a platform for professionals, faculty, and students to exchange ideas through technical sessions, tutorials, and exhibits. This year’s event was no exception, featuring a dynamic mix of discussions on the latest innovations in technology and engineering.
Our presentation focused on the importance of collaborative cybersecurity education to support the agricultural sector in rural communities. As precision agriculture continues to grow and evolve, the need for securing critical systems and data against cyber threats becomes increasingly urgent. Our research highlights the unique challenges faced by rural settings, where access to cybersecurity expertise and resources may be limited. Through our work, we aim to provide solutions that empower these communities with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their agricultural innovations.
Our research has the potential to improve the resilience and security of agricultural systems, ensuring that farmers in rural areas can confidently adopt new technologies without fear of cyber-attacks or data breaches. This is an important step toward creating a more sustainable and secure future for agriculture, especially as the industry becomes increasingly reliant on digital tools and data-driven decision-making.
Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing research and upcoming projects. Thank you for your continued support of the Brain Autonomy and Resiliency (BAR) Lab!