Research
For the research component of the program, I’ve been working on a project focused on the security of C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) metadata in images. C2PA is designed to help verify the origins and integrity of digital content, which is becoming more important with the rise of AI-generated media. My research explored how this metadata can be manipulated or stripped, either by accident or with malicious intent, and looks at the broader implications for misinformation and digital trust. I’ve developed scripts to detect missing or tampered metadata, analyzed social media platforms’ handling of it, and identified potential vulnerabilities that bad actors could exploit. The goal is to help strengthen the reliability of digital media by making C2PA systems more secure and harder to bypass.
Reflection
Enhanced Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking:
Working on my C2PA project really sharpened how I approach technical problems. I had to dig into image metadata, write scripts to detect issues like missing manifests or timestamp inconsistencies, and figure out how social media platforms handle this data. A lot of it involved trial and error, and I learned how to think more critically and break things down step by step. It taught me how to be more comfortable with uncertainty and how to troubleshoot in a more structured way.
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Collaboration and Real-World Impact
This project helped me see the bigger picture of cybersecurity. It’s not just about writing code - it’s about protecting the integrity of information people rely on. I got to connect with people working in related areas and realized how issues like misinformation and digital trust are part of a larger conversation. That perspective made the work feel more grounded and reminded me that tech has real consequences in people’s lives.
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Personal Growth and Future Aspirations
Doing this research has had a big impact on how I see my future. It confirmed for me that I want to keep working in cybersecurity, especially on problems that sit at the intersection of tech, ethics, and policy. I’ve become more confident in leading my own work, asking better questions, and thinking about the long-term impact of what I build. It’s made me more driven to stay in research and to keep exploring ways to make cyberspace safer for everyone.
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