NASA recently recognized a UNC Pembroke computer science student for his exceptional cybersecurity skills.

Shirsendu Mondal received a formal letter of appreciation from the agency's Vulnerability Disclosure Program for identifying and responsibly reporting a security vulnerability in one of NASA's digital systems.

According to NASA, Mondal's efforts helped enhance the integrity and protection of NASA's information infrastructure — 'an achievement that underscores the real-world impact of ethical hacking and the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding national assets.'

Mondal considers it an honor to be recognized by a leading federal agency.

"It took me two weeks of constant reconnaissance just to find something that could be reportable," Mondal said in a press release. "Most of the things I was trying were failing and taking me into rabbit holes one after another, but I was determined that I wouldn't give up unless I got that letter of appreciation. This led to sleepless nights, but I finally found something worth reporting."

For his efforts, Mondal's name is also listed on the Hall of Fame for Vulnerability Disclosure under NASA's Vulnerability Disclosure program, a publicly visible list recognizing individuals who have responsibly reported security vulnerabilities in NASA's systems.

Mondal's professor, Dr. Prashanth Reddy praised him as a key contributor to the cybersecurity research group, calling the NASA recognition a reflection of his high-quality work and expressing pride in his achievements and future potential.

"Shirsendu has been a valuable part of our cybersecurity program," said Reddy in a press release. "Receiving a letter of appreciation from NASA is an honor and a testament to the caliber of his work. We're proud to have him representing our cybersecurity program and look forward to seeing where his talents take him next."