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AIS Releases 2023 Year in Review in Tenth Company Magazine

A1Sadmin — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:33:18 +0000

AIS released its tenth issue of the AIS ACCESS magazine. This edition includes the company’s accomplishments from 2023, overviews on its cutting-edge products and services and intriguing stories on employees and technological advancements.

“Looking back on 2023, we were able to truly evolve and build upon the momentum set in the previous year for growth and increased opportunity,” said Charles Green, CEO of AIS. “We extended our outreach to the community, delved into cutting-edge research like XAI, strategically expanded our technical team, invested in internal research and development and explored promising commercial avenues. Amidst all of this, we also worked diligently to ensure our staff receive some of the best benefits in the industry including free, high-quality medical care, paid time off and financial planning resources. These initiatives align with our ongoing commitment to creating a secure future for our customers, employees and community, all while acknowledging and rewarding the remarkable individuals who contribute to our success.”

Corporate News

All-New Can You Hack It?^® Challenges

The AIS Can You Hack It?® Challenge site was revamped in 2023 with 13 new challenges added for enthusiasts and experts alike to put their skills to the test. The newly introduced challenges cover a wide spectrum of cybersecurity domains, ranging from intricate programming conundrums to complex puzzles in reverse engineering and cryptography. More than 1,500 people attempted the challenges this past year and those interested in a career at AIS are encouraged to check them out.

GreyCastle Security Acquired by DeepSeas

In December 2023, AIS announced the successful acquisition of its subsidiary, GreyCastle Security by DeepSeas, a market leader in managed detection and response (MDR) for both enterprises and mid-market organizations. This strategic decision reflects AIS’s commitment to fostering innovation and advancing the capabilities of its ecosystem of cybersecurity companies.

Two New Patents Issued

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued two new patents to AIS in 2023, expanding its intellectual property (IP) and raising its patent portfolio to 21 with multiple currently pending. The new patents include:

U.S. Patent No. 11,550,883: “CODE PROTECTION” 
Invention is credited to Adam Meily, Principal Engineer.

U.S. Patent Number: 11,645,101: “Providing Trusted Virtual Secure Cryptoprocessors for Guests” 
Invention is credited to Joel Upham, Software Engineer III and Richard Turner, past AIS employee.

AIS Named Exclusive Sponsor of Executive Suites at the Adirondack Bank Center

AIS is now the exclusive sponsor of the Executive Suites at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York. This partnership signifies AIS’s commitment to the community and enhancing the sports and entertainment experience for fans in the Mohawk Valley. The AIS Executive Suites offer an unmatched blend of luxury and excitement for attendees, providing premium seating with spectacular views of the action on the ice. New in 2023 is the AIS Cyber Lounge, which was previously known as the Zuhaus. The AIS Cyber Lounge is the largest of the suites and is available for private rentals at the multitude of events that take place at the Adirondack Bank Center.

New Contracts & Partnerships

$98.5 Million Contract Awarded

AIS was awarded Artificial Intelligence-Based Endpoint Defense (ABED), a $98.5 million, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract focused on researching novel and innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques for enhancing the effectiveness and increasing the autonomy of cyber capabilities being developed by the Air Force and its partnering combatant commands.

$28 Million Contract Modification Awarded

AIS was awarded a $28 million contract modification for Full-Spectrum Cyber Capabilities, bringing the overall value of this contract to $74.8 million. The initial objective of this effort, which was awarded in 2019, was to provide the Air Force with tools and technologies to enable rapid cyber operations. Work will be completed through September 2026. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate, located in Rome, New York, is the contracting authority for the award.

Federal Aviation Administration Selects AIS, ResilienX and OneSky Team for UTM Research

AIS, ResilienX and OneSky have announced a partnership with NUAIR for evaluating security and performance monitoring for UAS ecosystems at the New York UAS Test Site. ResilienX has been awarded a contract by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to analyze and enhance the security and performance monitoring of uncrewed aircraft system traffic management (UTM) ecosystems. ResilienX has chosen to partner with AIS and OneSky to bolster this research effort, which will focus on quantifying the effectiveness of various failure mode detection and mitigation strategies within a complex UAS operations environment. Testing will occur at the New York UAS Test Site.

AIS and Logical Operations Announced Strategic Partnership for Professional Development

AIS and Logical Operations, owner and operator of New Horizons Syracuse, announced a  strategic partnership aimed at enhancing professional development opportunities for employees and the broader tech community in CNY. Under this collaboration, AIS employees have access to a wide range of training courses and professional certifications offered by New Horizons, empowering them with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving field of technology and cybersecurity.

Organizations in CNY who would like to participate in these training and certification programs are welcome to contact AIS for additional information at www.ainfosec.com/contact.

Awards & Recognition

HIRE Vets Medallion Award

U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie A. Su, recognized AIS as one of the 859 recipients of the 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony in November presented by U.S. Department of Labor. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire and retain veterans. This is AIS’s third consecutive year earning the gold award.

Mohawk Valley GEAR Award

AIS received one of the 2023 Mohawk Valley GEAR (Growth, Energy and Revitalize) awards in May, the same month that it celebrated the 21st anniversary of earning its first contract.

The GEAR awards honor companies that have helped to reimagine, reinvigorate and revitalize the Mohawk Valley. The GEAR awards, presented annually by Central New York Business Journal and BizEventz, recognize local companies that have made an impact on jobs, real estate and stability in the community. Giotto Enterprises, Mohawk Valley Community College and the Utica Zoo were the other three recipients.

FISSURE Featured on HackTricks

AIS’s open-source RF and reverse engineering framework, FISSURE, was featured on HackTricks in late 2023. HackTricks is a collaborative platform where cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts share information, tips and tricks related to ethical hacking, penetration testing and various security practices.

FISSURE is an RF and reverse engineering framework designed for all skill levels with hooks for signal detection and classification, protocol discovery, attack execution, IQ manipulation, vulnerability analysis, automation and AI/ML.

Community Impact

AIS believes in supporting organizations that align with its company values and have a positive impact within both the technology space and the community. Here is a snapshot of its sponsorships and activities in 2023.

United Way Workplace Campaign

AIS hosts an annual workplace campaign encouraging AIS employees to donate to the United Way of the Mohawk Valley, an organization committed to better people’s lives through programs that are focused on the building blocks of a good quality life – education, health and income stability. More than $8,000 was raised during AIS’s 2023 campaign.

Blood Drives

AIS hosted three onsite blood drives this year in collaboration with the American Red Cross. Sixty-three units of blood were donated by employees, potentially saving the lives of up to 189 people in need. With a national blood shortage, AIS is eager to continue these critical donation events in 2024 with the first one slated for February.

CPR Training with American Red Cross

Employees volunteered to participate in a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training Program in coordination with the American Red Cross and learned the fundamental steps of administering CPR to individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, understanding the critical role they can play in preserving life before professional medical help arrives.

Project Fibonacci

Through Mohawk Valley Gives, an annual day of fundraising in Central New York, AIS donated to Project Fibonacci. This donation will provide one student with a scholarship to attend the 2024 STEAM Leadership Conference free of charge. There, students participate in workshops, attend expert presentations and network with industry leaders.

Black Girls Code

AIS donated to Black Girls Code whose mission is to provide black girls access to engaging computer programming education that sparks their interest in technology, unlocks their potential and leads to more equitable communities.

In addition, AIS donated to more than 40 organizations and events, held a food drive for the Rome Rescue Mission and encouraged employees to volunteer at local science fairs, hackathons, robotics competitions and more.

Join a Growing Team

AIS currently has remote and in-office opportunities for software, reverse and deployment engineers, scientists, analysts and more.

The company offers an impressive benefits package including 100% employer-paid medical insurance, an automatic 7% contribution to your 401k, an employer-funded Health Savings Account, 10 paid holidays, four weeks of paid time off plus an additional week after five years and flexible hours. AIS also boasts a lucrative Referral Program, allowing community members to refer candidates to the company and earn thousands of dollars. Click here to learn more.

To read the full magazine, click here.

ACCESS – A Year in Review at AIS

Millie Occhionero — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 19:46:36 +0000

A Year In Review

The year 2020 was without question, a challenging one. However, our company has made many strides and we would be amiss to not celebrate the achievements of our talented team and growing organization. Many of these achievements are also highlighted in our 7th issue of ACCESS. Take a look

Growth Without Compromise, How the AIS Culture is Evolving

From wearing slippers in the hallways to hanging a pirate flag up at the office, the beginnings of our company are anything but typical. The AIS culture is rooted in innovation, collaboration, resilience and just being different. From our start in 2001, we’ve grown into a 350-employee company with offices and customer locations across the nation. With this growth, the need to nurture and evolve the culture that has made us who we are is essential. Read more >>

Keeping Employees Safe During COVID-19

When the pandemic emerged, AIS responded swiftly. With the COVID-19 still ever-present, we’ve created a Workplace Safety Committee (WSC). The WSC been working diligently to stay informed on local, state and country-wide guidelines and restrictions. Using this information, they are continuously developing policies and guidelines to keep employees and their families as healthy as possible. Read more >>

Senior Vice President, Barry McKinney, Retires

In November 2020, Barry McKinney, Senior Vice President, retired after more than 15 years at AIS. McKinney and his growing family made this decision together and are looking forward to making new memories. Read more >>

Leadership Team Welcomes New Members

Our leaders continue to move us forward. This year, we welcomed:

Jeffrey Dailey, Director of Information Technology. Read more >>
Christopher Ficke, Controller. Read more >>
Byron Parker, VP of Business Development. Read more >>
Diana Wolgemuth, Director of Organizational Development. Read more >>

Can You Hack It?® Challenge Reaches New Milestones

The AIS Can You Hack It?® Challenge site contains several different programming challenges for anyone who is willing to test their skills. As of December 2020, the site has challenged more than 5,500 people internationally and has resulted in multiple talented hires at AIS. Read more >>

Leadership Changes at GreyCastle Security

On January 1, 2020, Dan Kalil was named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at GreyCastle Security. Prior to becoming CEO, Kalil served as the company’s Board Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer since 2016, when AIS acquired majority interest in the business. As one of the co-founders of AIS, Kalil also continues to serve as the company’s Vice President of Commercial Operations and Corporate Communications. Read more >>

2020 Tech Council Update

Throughout 2020, the Tech Council has continued to deliver on its purpose statement through the facilitation of communications amongst teams, contributions to research integrity and quality and sharing of lessons learned on the COVID-driven changes in workforce structure. These contributions are in the spirit of delivering excellence to our customers and supporting our teams that deliver that excellence daily. Read more >>

Employees Make Mark in Transportation Sector

This year, AIS and the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) published a vulnerability within trailer Power Line Communications (PLC) signals. Read more >>

AIS Wins Largest Prime DARPA Contract in Company History

This $9 million contract will enable the Systems Analysis and Exploitation Team, along with teaming partners Cummins Incorporated, Colorado State University and GRIMM, to develop challenge problems and evaluate performer’s solutions to problems related to heavy-duty engine systems. Read more >>

2020 Patents

With our increased research efforts at AIS, we have a growing number of patents that have been filed and several that have been awarded. Congratulations to our brilliant employees on their achievements in innovation. Read more >>

Forward Thinking, CTO Round-Up

In September 2019, we launched our plan to reinvigorate the AIS Research Program. The vision for this initiative was to provide a foundation of intellectual property, talent, partnerships and community to support our company’s strong commitment towards our people, our customers and innovation. Since beginning this process, we’ve hit multiple milestones and have further developed our goals in accordance to our five-year plan. Read More >>

See You Next Year!

These are just a few of the exciting milestones achieved in 2020 at AIS. Looking ahead to 2021, we will continue to challenge the impossible to create a secure future for our customers, employees and community.