10 years of advancing national security solutions
In 2015, Arizona State University launched the Global Security Initiative to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for research on complex global security issues. Its leaders recognized that the challenges facing our nation and the broader globe — such as cyber threats, resource scarcity and data privacy — called for a new, holistic approach and collaboration with the government and private sectors.
While GSI grew and evolved over its first decade, its focus on people, impact and mission has remained the same.
One of GSI’s major contributions to the ASU community has been its role in helping the university grow its engagement with U.S. Department of Defense research. ASU now has over double the DOD-funded research expenditures it did when GSI launched in 2015.
The initiative is celebrating several other key wins from the last decade, including improving homeland security operations, protecting vulnerable infrastructure, supporting outstanding young faculty, advancing human-AI team research, fighting adversaries’ online strategies, and educating the current and future national security workforce.
$238M
Total research expenditures since 2015 (as of fiscal year 2024)
193
Proposals submitted since 2015 (as of fiscal year 2024)
51
Federal agencies providing funding to GSI (as of fiscal year 2024)
10-year timeline highlights
Launch of GSI
The new initiative will serve as a university hub for research on complex global security issues.
Food-energy-water nexus
A team studies how these systems connect and builds tools to support sustainable policy decisions.
DHS Center of Excellence
GSI’s Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiency will improve DHS organizations’ effectiveness.
DARPA awards young faculty
GSI helps junior faculty pursue career-boosting DARPA awards, and ASU is top 3 in U.S. for awardees.
Largest hacking contest
GSI center plays a lead role at the DEF CON conference, the “Super Bowl of hacking.”
Respond to COVID-19
GSI center works with DHS to help federal agencies effectively respond to the pandemic.
Micropatching research
GSI researchers get a DARPA grant to protect vulnerable software with micropatches.
Boosting the workforce
Training platform pwn.college prepares future cybersecurity experts to thwart cyberattacks.
Measuring our trust in AI
GSI center tests a tool to help government and industry develop trustworthy AI technology.
AI Cyber Challenge finalist
ASU team moves to finals of DEF CON, earns $2 million to keep developing their AI-based system.
Q&As with center directors
Computing with confidence: Q&A with Adam Doupé
Jan 14, 2025
CTF director reflects on cybersecurity workforce efforts and the quest to create secure and trusted technology.
Securing borders and supply chains: Q&A with Ross Maciejewski
Jan 6, 2025
CAOE director discusses emerging threats, persistent problems and successes in the homeland security space.
The rise of human-machine teams: Q&A with Jamie Gorman
Dec 20, 2024
Director of CHART shares his optimism for collaboration with robots with psychology and social science in mind.
Looking 10 years back and ahead
At the Global Security Initiative, we leverage ASU’s strengths to address national security mission needs, driving advancements on today’s pressing security priorities and preparing for the challenges of the future — from securing critical infrastructure to navigating a messy information environment to developing trustworthy AI that operates as a teammate to humans. And as we move into our second decade, we are astounded by the progress we are making on these and other challenges.
Moving forward, GSI will work with partners to expand its focus areas to meet the national security challenges of the moment — such as preparing for the impacts of climate change on defense missions, improving forensics to trace biological threats and advancing the security of U.S. capabilities in space.
10th anniversary lookbook
Instead of the usual yearly report, in 2024 GSI took time to reflect back on 10 years of research and impact. Celebrate past accomplishments by reading about our top 10 key wins, track the initiative’s journey of milestones and growth with a 10-year timeline, and gain inspiration for the years ahead with a futurecast from GSI leadership.
Previous reports
2023 report
2022 report
2021 report
2020 report
2019 report
2018 report
2017 report
Join our mission
For over 10 years, the Global Security Initiative has advanced science and technology capabilities to meet defense, security and intelligence mission needs. Your support helps further that mission, creating a safer world for years to come.