Fighting crime in cyberspace: UA hosting national cybersecurity training
What would happen if the network system at a nuclear power plant or major transportation system headquarters was intentionally compromised by cyber adversaries? What about at food processing facilities or the control center for a major dam? The damage could hamper regional or national economies, security and public health.
What stands in the way of a cyberattack and a vulnerable network is threat preparedness.
That’s why during May 21-24, the University of Akron will be a hub of cybersecurity training that is being provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC). One hundred information technology professionals from all over the United States will be attending the four-day training at our School of Law, which includes two days of instruction and two days of cybersecurity threats and scenarios.
The special training is designed for personnel responsible for the operation of network control systems for critical services, like energy, transportation and water. Its purpose is to help reduce the risk of systemic cybersecurity and communications challenges across public and private sector networks.
National recognition of new program
“The University’s strong cooperation between its public and private industry partners in Northeast Ohio is what attracted the attention of the Department of Homeland Security,” said Dr. John Nicholas, professor of computer information systems and program director of cybersecurity and digital forensics degree tracks. “UA’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program, which supports in part students and companies in a manufacturing-rich part of Ohio, is still very young and already it’s making waves at a national level.”
The premier training curriculum is being supported by the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory, making this the first time the lab has offered its elite instruction in Ohio.
“The University of Akron extended an invitation to host NCCIC’s training on campus,” said Scott McConnell, spokesman for the DHS. “The NCCIC accepted this offer primarily because of the robust connections the University has with industrial control system facilities and operators in the region. As attacks on our cyber and communications infrastructure grow in diversity, prevalence and sophistication, NCCIC’s mission demands that we stay ahead of the threat curve. One of the ways we do this is by providing timely and comprehensive industrial control system (ICS) training for cybersecurity professionals.”
UA is the only public university in Ohio offering a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Officially launched in fall 2017, it is the only cybersecurity degree in the U.S. that includes courses in cryptology (the study of computer codes), which are typically offered at the graduate level.
Media contact: Alex Knisely, 330-972-6477 or aknisely@uakron.edu.