Earth’s movements tell a story, from shifting tectonic plates to subtle tremors beneath the Earth’s surface; movements that uncover the Earth’s ever-changing dynamics. Understanding that story requires precise, continuous measurements, and EarthScope provides the infrastructure to make this possible. The facility supports transformative research and education in the geosciences, offering a global community of scientists and educators access to instrumentation, observations, and infrastructure that help decode the physical processes of our planet.
In September 2025, Trusted CI Ambassador Megha Moncy attended the EarthScope Data Services Retreat in Warwick, Rhode Island, spending three engaging days with the dedicated staff. At the retreat, she had the chance to meet the Data Services team face-to-face and share insights on how Trusted CI supports NSF facilities. She connected with researchers, managers, and leadership, gaining a deeper understanding of EarthScope and exploring practical ways to integrate cybersecurity into day-to-day operations.
Bridging Science and Cybersecurity
As part of her ongoing Ambassador engagement, which includes regular check-ins with Rob Casey, Moncy serves as a liaison between EarthScope and the broader Trusted CI team. She connects the facility with the right cybersecurity expertise, offering guidance on information security, risk management, and other security needs tailored to support the facility’s mission. Building on this ongoing work, the retreat provided an ideal setting for Moncy to highlight how smart, mission-focused cybersecurity can enable groundbreaking scientific work and support EarthScope’s research effectively.
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| Megha Moncy, Trusted CI Ambassador to EarthScope presenting cybersecurity insights to the EarthScope team. |
During her 30-minute session, Moncy presented Trusted CI’s core mission and the need for helping research facilities find the sweet spot between pushing the boundaries of science and managing cybersecurity risk. From there, she guided attendees through the Trusted CI Framework’s four pillars, Mission Alignment, Governance, Resources, and Controls; demonstrating how each pillar provides practical guidance to strengthen security while supporting the facility’s scientific mission. The session also explored the challenges and opportunities of securing operational technology (OT) and Internet of things (IoT) - enabled instruments. Moncy also highlighted the “Secure by Design” approach, explaining how building security into systems from the start can prevent problems that would be much harder to fix later.
Beyond her formal presentation, Moncy participated in team-building activities and lunches with leadership and management. These moments allowed informal conversations about cybersecurity priorities, potential collaborations, and the ways Trusted CI can support EarthScope’s mission. Amid the retreat, some exciting news arrived: EarthScope Consortium received the much awaited National Geophysical Facility (NGF) award, opening the door to expanded resources and new opportunities, including for strengthening cybersecurity across the facility.
Reflections from the Retreat
Attending the EarthScope retreat gave Moncy the opportunity to connect with staff and gain an up-close view of the inner workings of a major geophysical facility. She observed a team deeply committed to advancing Earth science and was able to share insights on how Trusted CI’s guidance and services can help strengthen the security and resilience of that work. She is especially grateful to Rob Casey for the invitation to participate, to the organizers who made the retreat run so smoothly, and to the EarthScope staff whose engagement, curiosity, and energy made the three days fly by. The experience left her inspired by the team’s dedication and the collaborative spirit that drives discovery at EarthScope, and she looks forward to many more opportunities to work together.
