The center was about four years in the making with the help of a $4.2 million contract awarded by the Department of Homeland Security and the Air Force. It opened under the leadership of the College of Business Administration and its Department of Computer Information Systems, according to a statement sent via email.
Professor Anitha Chennamaneni, Ph.D., is the department chairwoman of Computer Information Systems. She said the cybersecurity center is a crucial part of the university’s expansion in cybersecurity research and a significant step forward in the development of a university research park and industry partnerships that already include Trideumand Centex Technologies.
The center’s goal is to serve the region by drawing on the talent, expertise and ongoing university research, she said. The center sits in about 1,800 square feet of former classroom space equipped to serve as a “state-of-the-art lab” and includes new computing equipment and smart-classroom features.
The university was recently in the hiring process for two postdoctoral researchers, who would be paid competitive salaries starting at $60,000, according to the university.
“It has always been our vision that the CCI would be the hub where different industry leaders could join us with a common purpose: Advancing cybersecurity research, education, workforce development, industry partnerships and outreach,” Chennamaneni said in the statement.
She emphasized the significance of research projects and the continued expansion of degree programs, certificates and microcredentials that prepare students for careers in cybersecurity.
“Our research will be grounded in our commitment to pursue innovative cybersecurity and artificial intelligence solutions designed to combat the security threats encountered by individuals, industry, government, and military," she said, "and mitigate the likelihood of cyber attacks and improve the protection of our cyber infrastructure and networks.”
A brief list of cybersecurity research goals includes:
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine and deep learning for cybersecurity
- Cryptography and encryption
- 5G security
- Cyber forensics
