WVU aims to be a regional and national cybersecurity leader
Fred King, West Virginia University’s Vice President for Research, is a strong advocate of cybersecurity and believes that WVU should seize opportunities to expand both the Instructional and Research programs at WVU. King is convinced that successfully doing so will enhance and strengthen West Virginia’s economic development.
“As part of the Land Grant Mission, WVU has the goal of forming strong regional partnerships with other institutions of higher education, government agencies, and private industry to grow the cybersecurity sector that extends down the I-79 corridor,” explained Dr. King.An important step in this process includes assessment from external experts to aid in crafting a cybersecurity future that WVU is singularly positioned to pursue.
According to King these assessments will include a gap analysis to target areas in which WVU must improve and the identification of unique cybersecurity strengths as WVU transitions into a regional and national leader in Cybersecurity.
Beginning in the fall of 2018, WVU is already expanding its cybersecurity offerings with new degrees and certificates in Computer Science and Business Cybersecurity Management. In addition, the existing Graduate Certificate in Computer Forensics is being reorganized as a Graduate Area of Emphasis in Cybersecurity. These new educational initiatives leverage existing strengths to produce workforce ready cybersecurity experts and increase enhanced economic development for West Virginia.
Dr. Sheena Murphy, Associate Vice President for Research Development, sees that the high quality instruction that WVU offers for experiential and hands-on cybersecurity learning, combined with training in research/thought leadership and continuing/executive education, demands an investment in personnel and infrastructure in order to meet the needs of future students and regional businesses.
Dr. Murphy noted, “Already, both new WVU cybersecurity programs have experienced significant interest in their first year. Over 100 students are currently enrolled in the CS and Business cyber courses with no advertising of the new majors as of yet. These programs will clearly require additional resources to fully address the pent up demand.”
Dr. Murphy explained that in addition to personnel, state-of-the-art programs call for on-campus cybersecurity labs which provide “sandbox” infrastructure to permit simulated cyberattacks that are as realistic as possible, but that do not compromise functioning university systems.
“Investments at a critical juncture in the development of the WVU Cybersecurity programs will fast track the programs to provide maximum benefit and opportunity to both WV students and the state’s growing cybersecurity economy,” said Murphy.