Wayne State research advances technology for faster, more secure internet

As artificial intelligence rapidly changes how people work, communicate and access information, researchers are working to solve another growing challenge behind the scenes: how to protect the digital infrastructure that powers it all.

At Wayne State University, Dr. Rhongho Jang is working to build internet systems that are not only faster and more efficient, but also intelligent enough to defend themselves against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Jang, assistant professor of computer science in the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering, recently received a five-year, $599,998 Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award supports research focused on creating next-generation network infrastructure capable of analyzing and responding to threats in real time. The project will also help train students in emerging areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced computing systems as demand for AI-focused expertise continues to grow.

"Dr. Jang's NSF CAREER award reflects the innovative research taking place within our Department of Computer Science and the growing impact of Wayne State engineering faculty on the future of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity," said Dr. Ali Abolmaali, dean of the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. "This work has the potential to improve how networks process and protect information while helping prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving technology landscape."

Jang said he spent years working toward the vision behind the CAREER project, but recent advances in AI have accelerated what may now be possible.

"What excites me most is that we finally have the opportunity to move this beyond academic exploration and toward real-world deployment," he said.

His work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and internet infrastructure - areas that are becoming increasingly connected as AI tools grow more powerful and more widely used.

Today, most advanced cybersecurity analysis happens in distant cloud data centers after information has already traveled through the network. Jang's research aims to shift that process closer to where internet traffic actually flows by integrating AI directly into core network systems.

"We are already seeing adversaries use generative AI and large language models to automate network-level attacks. Hackers can use AI to probe vulnerabilities, manage large botnets and adapt their strategies faster than traditional defenses can respond," said Jang. "We need to catch up and find ways we can proactively use AI to create a more secure environment."

Jang compares the concept to building "a smart immune system for the internet."

"Right now, if a network gets attacked, it has to send traffic samples to a distant hospital - the cloud - to figure out what's wrong," he said. "By the time the diagnosis comes back, the damage is often already done. I want to put the doctor inside the network itself."

The project explores ways to embed advanced computing hardware into network routers so systems can detect and respond to cyber threats immediately, rather than relying solely on remote servers. Jang said the long-term goal is to create networks capable of real-time intelligence and defense, which could mean fewer internet outages, safer smart-home environments and faster, more reliable connectivity for everyday users.

He also believes the research could help make advanced cybersecurity protections more accessible. Currently, many real-time network defense tools are primarily available to large corporations with significant resources.

"By embedding AI defenses directly into standard network systems, we can make robust, real-time security a foundational layer of the internet that protects everyone by default," he said.

Beyond the technical challenges, Jang sees the work as part of a broader shift in how future computer scientists will need to think about AI infrastructure.

"For decades, our hardware and software systems were designed for traditional computing," he said. "Now we need a new generation of computer scientists who can redesign systems specifically for AI."

The grant number for Jang's CAREER award from the National Science Foundation is 2542128.