Cybersecurity Degree Introduced at West Virginia State University
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University (WVSU) has recently received official approval to confer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, expanding its academic offerings in this critical domain. Until now, students could only pursue a minor in the subject.
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid, the director of the WVSU Cybersecurity Center, emphasized that the curriculum will delve into safeguarding essential infrastructure and resources across the nation.
Dr. Ali Al-Sinayyid
“Our focus lies in the protection of critical infrastructure, including water facilities, chemical plants, agricultural systems, and healthcare networks. We aim to equip students with the skills necessary to actively defend against potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities that could be exploited,” Al-Sinayyid stated.
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is soaring, making it one of the most rapidly emerging fields nationwide. Al-Sinayyid pointed out several factors contributing to this urgent need.
Currently, there are around three to four million job openings in this sector. While applications are plentiful, the issue lies in the insufficient training and skills of many applicants, he explained.
He further noted the alarming sentiment from the FBI director, who recently highlighted that the critical infrastructure of the U.S. is under siege. The staggering ratio of defenders to attackers—one to fifty—underscores the pressing necessity for a bolstered workforce.
As part of the new bachelor’s program, students can opt for a general focus in cybersecurity or specialize in agricultural cybersecurity. According to Al-Sinayyid, this specialization offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
“Students concentrating on agriculture will learn to safeguard Internet of Things (IoT) devices, microcontrollers, and other technologies associated with smart agriculture,” he shared.
“They will not only protect these systems but also develop secure communication protocols throughout the agricultural supply chain.”
Though a unique avenue within the cybersecurity landscape, Al-Sinayyid insists its significance is monumental for American farmers.
“It isn’t a common focus, yet surprisingly, it’s an area desperately in need of skilled professionals,” he remarked.
Students enrolled in the cybersecurity program will gain extensive hands-on experience at the WVSU Cybersecurity Innovation Center (CIC), which opened its doors at the close of 2023.
Situated within Wallace Hall, the CIC allows students to engage directly with the complexities of critical public infrastructure and impending threats.
“I affectionately refer to the Cybersecurity Innovation Center as ‘my baby’,” Al-Sinayyid quipped.
The establishment of the CIC was catalyzed by a collaborative grant of $2.5 million from the United States Department of Education, aimed at bolstering cybersecurity as an essential infrastructure element in the state. This initiative is in conjunction with Marshall University.
Additionally, the Kanawha County Commission played a vital role in bringing this state-of-the-art facility to fruition, awarding WVSU a grant of $764,792 in 2022 to assist with construction and operational expenses.
Source link: Wchsnetwork.com.
