Research

The Maritime Cybersecurity Applied Research, Technology, and Education Center (MCARTEC) is a transformative initiative led by Professor Ulku Clark and an interdisciplinary team of UNCW faculty. With enthusiastic support from CSB Dean Rob Burrus and CSE Dean Ron Vetter, MCARTEC focuses on applied research, technology, and education to address critical cybersecurity challenges in the maritime transportation system (MTS), a vital component of the nation’s critical infrastructure. 

MCARTEC aims to secure and strengthen the resilience of the maritime subsector, a complex system responsible for the safe and secure transport of 95% of the cargo entering the United States, which accounts for approximately 25% of the nation’s GDP. This multifaceted system includes ships, shipping lines, ports, passenger terminals, cargo facilities, inland waterways, and intermodal transfer partners—each a potential vulnerability. By establishing itself as a nationally recognized research center, fostering international collaboration, supporting workforce development, and contributing to North Carolina’s blue economy, MCARTEC is positioned to lead the charge in maritime cybersecurity innovation and solidify UNCW’s reputation as a leader in coastal research and education. 

The goal is to establish a nationally recognized research center for maritime cybersecurity, positioning MCARTEC as a leader in this field by leveraging an industry and government partnership model in alignment with the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. By fostering collaborative international partnerships, MCARTEC aims to address global maritime cybersecurity challenges while enhancing UNCW’s reputation as North Carolina’s coastal university. This includes developing a robust maritime cybersecurity workforce development center to strengthen the region’s capabilities. Additionally, these efforts will support UNCW’s existing blue economy initiatives, promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while prioritizing ocean health.

7th Annual Cybersecurity Conference

• When: Oct. 9-10, 2025
• Where: UNCW Campus
• What: Maritime Cybersecurity Track will feature talks from subject matter experts. There will be indident response tabletop exercises and hands-on maritime cybersecurity exercises for participants.

3rd Annual Cyber Boat Challenge

• When: December 16-18, 2025
• Where: UNCW Center for Marine Science
• What: In this three-day event, the presenters from academia and marine technologies companies will introduce the participating students to various maritime cybersecurity technologies on day one, and students will investigate vulnerabilities of these technologies on day two. The students will present their findings on day three. We will host around 35 students from various U.S. educational institutions, including USCG Academy students.

21st International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security

• When: March 5-6, 2026
• Where: UNCW Campus
• What: MCARTEC PI Ulku Clark is the conference co-chair, and co-PI Bilge Karabacak is the Programme Chair. This year's conference will have a mini track on "Cyber Resilience and Innovation Across the Maritime Ecosystem" chaired by MCARTEC co-PI Kasey Miller.

Sponsors for the MCARTEC research hub include:

• Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) 
• Department of Defense (DoD) 
• UNCW Research & Innovation 
• College of Science and Engineering (CSE) 
• Cameron School of Business (CSB)