BotHunterX - Cybersecurity and Trusted AI

The BotHunterX (BHX) research project aims to develop a prototype cybersecurity tool specifically designed to locate, validate, and eliminate AI agents (bots) operating within mission-critical cyber infrastructure. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into commercial, national defense, health care and academic systems the security risks posed by malicious, compromised, or improperly configured AI agents present unprecedented challenges to operational integrity and national security.

Bot Hunter addresses this emerging threat landscape by providing a specialized three-phase process: (1) Locate - systematic discovery and identification of AI agents within network infrastructure; (2) Validate - comprehensive assessment of agent legitimacy, authorization status, and behavioral integrity; and (3) Eliminate - automated response protocols including isolation, flagging, or clearance of identified agents based on validation results.

 

Name of research group, project, or lab
Center for Research Computing
Website
http://crc.nd.edu
Why join this research group or lab?
  • Collaborative work with fellow students (graduate, undergrad and HS).
  • Mentoring from faculty and professional scientists and engineers.  
  • Applied research with numerous commercial career opportunities.  
  • Develop skills in research presentation and co-authored publication.
Logistics Information:
Project categories
Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics
Computer Science & Engineering
Information Technology, Analytics, and Operations
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student
Student qualifications
  • Computer programming experience in one or more languages (Python, C, C++, R, etc...).
  • Availability for two in person meetings weekly and 6-10hrs of active research contribution each week.
  • Demonstrated interest in computer systems, cybersecurity, AI/ML and statistics
  • Due to security and funding limitations.  Student participants must hold US citizenship.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
3 credits / 12+ hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Number of openings
3
Techniques learned
  • cybersecurity
  • software engineering
  • AI/ML
  • operating systems
Project start
January 2026
Contact Information:
Mentor
Paul Brenner
pbrenne1@nd.edu
Center Director
Name of project director or principal investigator
Prof Paul Brenner
Email address of project director or principal investigator
paul.r.brenner@nd.edu
3 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+2)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours3 credits / 12+ hours
Project categories
Computer Science & Engineering (+2)
Applied and Computational Mathematics and StatisticsComputer Science & EngineeringInformation Technology, Analytics, and Operations