At Graduate Day 2025 in Raleigh, Jake Townsend presented groundbreaking research aimed at protecting North Carolina’s maritime infrastructure, a vital component of our state’s economy and national security.
His poster, “Protecting Our Ports: Leveraging Agentic AI to Harden Maritime Security Postures,” explored how emerging agentic AI can help coastal agencies anticipate, detect, and mitigate cyber threats before they impact operations.
Jake also engaged with state leaders and policymakers, advocating for the growing role of cybersecurity education in building a resilient, future-ready workforce. His work is a prime example of how Carolina Cyber Network students drive research with real-world impact — today and for years to come.
Congratulations to Jake! And thank you for reflecting the mission of the Carolina Cyber Network in your work: advancing security, innovation, and workforce development across North Carolina.
