Great research communities often begin with a simple idea: bringing the right people together.
For Bo Chen, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Michigan Technological University and a long-standing member of EAI, that idea became EAI SmartSP- the International Conference on Security and Privacy in Cyber-Physical Systems and Smart Vehicles.
In this edition of Voices of EAI, we spoke with Bo about his journey in cybersecurity, building SmartSP, and why the strongest research communities are those shaped by the people within them.
From cybersecurity research to SmartSP
Bo’s interest in cybersecurity began as a graduate student, when he saw how seemingly small vulnerabilities in network protocols could have a real impact on networks and ultimately on people’s lives.
That fascination grew into a career spanning applied cryptography, IoT, cyber-physical systems and AI security.
Today, Bo sees connectivity as one of cybersecurity’s greatest opportunities and challenges. Our devices and systems are increasingly connected, bringing enormous convenience while also creating new openings for attackers. AI adds another layer: it can help defenders detect and respond to attacks, but it can equally help attackers develop new tools.
As his own research moved towards cyber-physical systems, Bo also noticed something missing: researchers working on security and privacy in this area needed a dedicated place to connect and share their work.
“I thought, why not build this community and build this venue, so that people can have their work there?”
That idea became SmartSP.
“It’s driven by the community.”
Building SmartSP required collaboration from the start. Bo reached out to researchers already active in cyber-physical systems security, gradually bringing together the people and expertise needed to establish the conference.
And that collaborative beginning still defines how he believes SmartSP should grow.
“It’s driven by the community.”
For Bo, a strong research community needs to remain open welcoming new researchers, organizers and ideas rather than being controlled by one person or committee.
The goal is not simply to keep a conference running from year to year. It is to create something that can continue developing over the next ten or twenty years, with its members feeling that they genuinely belong.
They shouldn’t feel outside the community. They should feel that they are part of it.
Growing together with EAI
Bo’s journey with EAI has grown alongside SmartSP.
He describes EAI as providing the “backbone support” that allows researchers to focus on the scientific community itself.
Conference organization extends far beyond the program: finances, venues, publications, administration and countless practical details all require time. For academics already balancing research, teaching and students, that support makes a real difference.
Bo particularly highlighted the professionalism and responsiveness of EAI’s conference management team and the ability to communicate,make adjustments and solve issues together.
With the operational side supported by EAI, researchers have more space to focus on what matters most: the science, the program and the people around it.
Opening the door for the next generation
Community is also central to Bo’s work with young researchers.
He strongly believes cybersecurity needs to be experienced, not only studied. Through outreach, education and hackathons, students work with real problems sometimes using smart cars and robots to see vulnerabilities and attacks in action before they even have a strong programming background.
His advice to young researchers follows the same philosophy: find meaningful problems, learn from others, mentor the next generation and become part of the professional community.
Engaging with other researchers, he says exposes you to new ideas, helps increase the impact of your work and creates opportunities to collaborate.
Keep your eyes open, listen to other people and work with them.
And if Bo were starting his own career again today, would he still choose cybersecurity?
Definitely.
Cybersecurity, he points out, is now part of almost every area of computing: AI needs AI security, networks need network security, and software needs software security.
And for EAI SmartSP, that means continuing the journey that began with a need for a dedicated research venue: bringing people together, welcoming new ideas and building a community that its members can truly call their own. Find our more about the conference
