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PEMBROKE — 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.
Essentially, Mondal, a certified ethical hacker, found a digital security flaw, reported it professionally and ethically and helped NASA fix a potential cybersecurity risk before it could be exploited.
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. “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.
Shirsendu’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, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity program coordinator. “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.”
Mondal, a native of Bangladesh, is no stranger to national acclaim. In the spring of 2023 — at just 20 years old — he was named Bangladesh’s youngest certified ethical hacker, a prestigious milestone in his cybersecurity journey.
Mondal, entering his third year in the computer science program focusing on cybersecurity, will return to class on Aug. 18.