Carnegie Mellon University

Software Engineering Institute

Always focused on the future, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software as a strategic advantage for national security. We lead research and direct transition of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technologies at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. We serve the nation as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and are based at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a global research university annually rated among the best for its programs in computer science and engineering.

The 2022 SEI Year in Review highlights the work of the institute undertaken during the fiscal year spanning October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.

The Stories

Abstract image of black-and-gold ball of triangles.

Implementing the National Agenda for Software Engineering

The SEI is engaging with the software engineering community to realize the National Agenda for Software R&D.

Juneberry branches.

Juneberry Version 0.5 Simulates Attacks on Machine Learning Systems

The tool simulates property inference attacks that could disrupt computer vision systems.

Three pages from academic papers surrounded by laurel leaves.

SEI Co-Authored Papers Awarded by International Conferences

Papers on technical debt, machine learning, and decompilation were recognized for contributions to their fields.

Carol Smith and Alex Van Deusen

Implementing Responsible Artificial Intelligence

A guide on responsible AI is influencing commercial prototyping and acquisition programs in the Department of Defense.

Collage of a rocket trail against a missile silo.

Modernizing Land-Based U.S. Nuclear Deterrent

The SEI continues its software assurance and cybersecurity work for the Sentinel program.

Tim Morrow against a background of building columns.

Zero Trust Industry Days Starts Critical Conversation

Researchers, vendors, and government bodies gathered to share solutions for implementing a zero trust architecture.

Photo collage.

The Drive Toward Stability

SEI chief technology officer Tom Longstaff describes the institute’s technical strategy in the face of change.

Abstract diagram of a filter, with large rectangles on the input end and small rectangles on the output end.

Enabling Proactive Cyber Threat Detection in the Federal Civilian Executive Branch

The Unexpected Outbound Protocols processor ingests SiLK binary files to help capture and analyze network flow data.

Collage of a video meeting against a photo of a bridge.

AI Engineering Symposium Assembles AI Community

Participants evolved the state of the art, fostered relationships, and shared knowledge in AI engineering.

Two hands shaking against a collage of the facilities of the SEI, Space Systems Command, and the U.S. Air Force.

Collaborations Increase Impact

The SEI worked with other research and development organizations on multiple defense projects.

Dr. Jeremy S. Werner against a collage of a checklist and a worker fixing a pipe.

Applying Causal Learning to Reduce Testing Times and Costs

The SEI helped innovate a novel approach to improve simulations for testing advanced systems.

Abstract illustration of a B-52 bomber plane, an airplane hangar, and a project plan.

SEI Lends Expertise to Key Air Force Missile System Acquisition

The SEI helped the Long-Range Standoff System Program Office execute a software acquisition strategy.

Dan Costa against an abstract background.

Keeping Ahead of Insider Risk

The Common Sense Guide to Mitigating Insider Threats includes a new best practice and privacy-framework mapping.

Eric Heim against an illustrated background of a jet plane, grids, and a satellite image.

Codifying Test and Evaluation of Machine-Learning Aerial Object Detectors

A new report assembles guidance on the testing and evaluation of machine-learning models for aerial object detection.

John Wohlbier against a background collage of semiconductor chips.

Increasing American Competitiveness in Semiconductor Chips

The SEI partnered with DARPA to support testing and evaluation in two projects of the Electronics Resurgence Initiative.

Assuring Increasingly Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems

The SEI and academia are developing resources to analyze AI functions’ impact on the assurance of safety-critical systems.

Fowad Muneer against a background of pages from the C2M2.

Updated Energy Sector Cybersecurity Maturity Model Helps Keep the Lights On

A revised Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) gives utilities a snapshot of their cybersecurity posture.

Illustration of Tim Chick with flow diagrams.

New Model Provides Blueprint for DevSecOps

The DevSecOps Platform-Independent Model gives instructions on creating, maintaining, and evolving DevSecOps pipelines.

Illustration of naval ships and submarines.

SEI Breadth and Depth Help DOT&E Adapt to Modern Software Development

The SEI has been helping the Department of Defense meet the challenges of modern software operational test and evaluation.