Background:
Cybersecurity is a new multi-disciplinary field involving processes and technologies deployed to protect critical infrastructures and data from vulnerabilities or attacks. With the cyberspace expansion, businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and even individuals are affected by cyber-risks. It is imperative for the Virgin Islands to tap into the pool of talents in the Territory.
The Cybersecurity Workforce Pipeline is designed to create a consortium composed of 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), two national labs, and a k-12 school district. The main objective is to train the future nation’s cybersecurity experts. The grant is funded by the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE NNSA: http://nnsa.energy.gov/).
White House Announcement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/15/vice-president-biden-announces-25-million-funding-cybersecurity-educatio
The Cybersecurity Fellowship Program at UVI has a goal to provide training and in the future increase the number and diversity of the nation’s cybersecurity experts.The program at UVI supports up to 6 undergraduate students per academic year.
- Go to http://cybersecurity.uvi.edu to learn more about the Cybersecurity Program & Activities at UVI
UVI Award Announcement: http://www.uvi.edu/news/articles/2015/15_014_cyber.aspx
Partners:
- Norfolk State University (lead)
- Clark Atlanta University
- Paine College
- Bowie State University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Allen University
- Benedict College
- Claflin University
- Denmark Technical College
- Morris College
- South Carolina State University
- Voorhees College
- Charleston County School District (SC)
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (CA)
- Sandia National Laboratory (NM)
Eligibility:
To be selected to participate as a Cybersecurity Scholar, interested students must have a strong interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity such as Chief Information Security Office, Computer Crime Investigator, Cryptanalyst, Cryptographer, Forensics Expert, Information Assurance Analyst, Intrusion Detection Specialist, Network Security Engineer, Security Systems Administrator, Security Software Developer, Virus Technician, Vulnerability Assessor, Web Penetration Tester, etc.
Students must attend UVI full time and be majoring in mathematics, computer science, applied math, chemistry, biology, marine biology with a minor in computational science, have a minimum UVI GPA of 3.2 and be a US citizen or permanent resident.
Students should be available during summers and willing to work in National labs.
Requirements:
ECS Cybersecurity Scholars must be interested in a career in science, mathematics, engineering, computer science or technology. Scholars will:
- Provide mentorship to students
- Promote the program
- Assist K-12 teachers and youth
- Organize and participate in Cybersecurity Club
- Recruit new scholars
Benefits:
- $800 monthly stipends to work with a UVI faculty mentor on research projects
- Summer stipends to conduct summer research with faculty at UVI or at other participating institutions
- Travel to scientific meetings
- Ability to work during summers at DOE National Laboratories
- Able to pursue degrees and training at partner institutions
Resources:
- For more info on careers in Cybersecurity, visit http://niccs.us-cert.gov/careers/cybersecurity-careers.
- Computing Research Association - Women undergraduate research experiences available. Click here for more information.
CONTACTS:
Dr. Marc Boumedine
Cybersecurity Principal Investigator
College of Science and Mathematics
University of the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas
Email: mboumed@uvi.edu
Phone: 340-693-1255
Fax: 340-693-1245
Dr. Alan Lewit
Cybersecurity Co-Principal Investigator
College of Science and Mathematics
University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix
Email: alewit@uvi.edu
Phone: 340-692-4147