The nine research groups that constitutes CESCA are involved in research on methods, architectures, tools, and demonstration artifacts for embedded and secure systems. There are many times more embedded processors in existence today than desktop/laptop/workstation processors. In an industrialized nation, every person on an average owns more than 3-4 embedded processors, such as the ones in their cars, in their cell phones, in their washing machines and so on. These processors along with various sensors, and actuators, memory system, and co-processors control most of the electronic devices and systems such as automotive, avionics, weapons systems etc. Even various medical devices such as insulin pump, blood pressure monitors, pace makers etc. are embedded systems. Correct design of such systems is of paramount  importance as is ensuring cyber security of these devices. CESCA's mission is to build research expertise and artifacts that help in reliable, resilient, and secure embedded system design.

Since most embedded systems work in a physical environment where it receives inputs through sensors and actuates control over the physical environment, most embedded systems are also cyber physical systems (CPS). In that sense, CESCA's mission coincides with the Cyber Physical Systems thrust of the National Science Foundation. Design methodologies, tools, and techniques for designing dependable and secure embedded systems is our goal.

CESCA combines a broad range of interdisciplinary expertise to address the research challenges related to the development of smart, secure, reliable, integrated, low-cost, and distributed embedded systems. CESCA has been active in all facets of embedded systems research, from highly theoretical research to the development and implementation of prototypes and demonstration systems. Most importantly, CESCA provides top-notch educational experience for graduate and undergraduate students, preparing them to become future leaders in academia and industry. CESCA graduates are working at the cutting edge of technology as engineers in companies such as AMD, CISCO, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, etc., and are faculty members at various universities.