“Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security”

Call for Papers – Virtual Special Issue (VSI): “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security”

Journal: International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission deadline: 01 June 2026

Overview

This virtual special issue (VSI)—published by Elsevier—explores the dual nature of AI in the protection of critical national assets: as a powerful tool for proactive security and as a potential new attack surface. As critical sectors (energy, transportation, healthcare, communications) face increasingly sophisticated cyber-physical threats, AI-enabled systems are becoming essential for real-time anomaly detection, threat intelligence, and resilient security frameworks. This issue invites research that addresses both the implementation of AI for infrastructure defense and the critical need to secure AI pipelines themselves against adversarial manipulation.

Key Research Themes

• AI/ML for Cyber-Physical Security: AI-enhanced CPS security, real-time threat detection (IDPS), and predictive analytics for infrastructure monitoring and failure prevention.

• Security of AI/ML Models: Robustness and hardening against adversarial machine learning (data poisoning, model theft, supply-chain risks) and the creation of "trustworthy AI" for high-stakes environments.

• Operational Technology (OT) Security: AI-based solutions for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA networks, smart grids, and water systems.

• Homeland Security & Public Safety: AI for surveillance, incident response, drone/robotics-based security, forensics, and counter-terrorism intelligence.

• Identity & Privacy: AI-driven identity verification, privacy-preserving AI, and federated learning (FL) for collaborative, decentralized threat detection.

Submission Details

• Submission deadline: 01 June 2026.

• Submission portal: https://www.editorialmanager.com/ijcip/default.aspx

• Special Instructions: You must select the article type “VSI:AI for Hom. Security” during the submission process to ensure your manuscript is routed correctly.

• Submission Standards: The journal invites original research on methodologies, applications, and ethical/governance frameworks. All submissions must adhere to the IJCIP Guide for Authors.

Guest Editor Team

• Prof. Selcuk Uluagac, Florida International University, USA

• Prof. Rebecca Montanari, University of Bologna, Italy

• Prof. Francesco Flammini, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland / University of Florence

• Dr. Carlo Mazzocca, University of Salerno, Italy

Why This Issue Matters

The integration of AI into critical infrastructure is unavoidable, but it brings unprecedented security risks alongside its benefits. This VSI provides a necessary scientific platform to advance the state-of-the-art in both the protection of infrastructure and the protection of the AI systems themselves. It is a critical venue for researchers aiming to harmonize technical innovation with national security requirements.

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