In Tech Tuesday, host Bethany Gaffey introduces us to the VETS-HASTE program, which supports local veterans by training them in hardware security.

“Have you heard about the program that’s teaching veterans how to hack hardware? We’re here at UF’s Malachowsky Hall to learn more,” said Gaffey.

“Hey,” said Sandip Ray, a researcher at the University of Florida.

“Thank you for joining us. Tell us what is VETS-HASTE?” asked Gaffey.

“Yeah, VETS-HASTE is a program. The idea of the program is to teach veterans who are getting into civilian life hardware security primarily, but generally give them a civilian career in the security of silicon chips and devices and all that. So how do you train those people so that they can achieve that goal? That’s the target of VETS-HASTE,” said Ray.

With the intensity and persistence of a shady cyber-criminal, the Florida veterans learned – through trial and much error – how to invade protected computer networks and become serious cybersecurity threats. 

What’s more, they were very good at it.

“You cannot learn how to hack without actually hacking. They learned how to hack in a way that is safe for them and safe for society,” said Sandip Ray, Ph.D., a professor in UF’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering who led the group of carefully selected military veterans to study hardware security.

Led by UF’s Warren B. Nelms Institute, the three-year project is called Pivots: VETS-HASTE: Veterans SkillBridge through Industry-Based Hardware Security Training and Education; it is funded by $1 million from the National Science Foundation and is led by Ray of UF’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Wanli Xing, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the College of Education.