The interdepartmental nature of our center prepares students for careers as cybersecurity experts able to identify system vulnerabilities, detect and anticipate cyberattacks, and secure information assets. We provide an environment of a practical hands-on cybersecurity to prepare our students for jobs in intelligence agencies, the federal government, the private sector, and academia. Graduates become professionals continually learning and exploring information as software, science, and technology continually evolve and criminals seek ever more ways to exploit system vulnerabilities.
The Cyber Defense program provides deeply technical, interdisciplinary skills grounded in the computer science, networking, and computer engineering disciplines. It prepares students for graduate study or employment related to using defensive measures to prevent, identify, analyze, and report events that might occur within the software or network to protect information and information systems from threats.
The Cyber Operations program provides deeply technical, interdisciplinary skills grounded in the computer science, networking, and electrical engineering disciplines. It prepares graduates for graduate study or employment related to gathering evidence and protecting against possible or real-time threats.
CCSU has been designated as both a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) and a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) by the National Security Agency (NSA). The Bachelor of Science program in Cybersecurity Cyber Defense has received validation from the NSA as a Program of Study in Cyber Defense. Similarly, the B.S. program in Cybersecurity Cyber Operations has earned NSA validation as a Program of Study in Cyber Operations.
Our areas of research include, but are not limited to:
A few examples of our involvement with local K-12 schools are listed below:
Cybersecurity capstone projects at Farmington High School and Canton High School
Farmington High School Cybersecurity Club(Chair)
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CCSU’s Cybersecurity program is strongly supported by hands-on and experiential learning. Located in the new Applied Innovation Hub, the Cybersecurity Lab and the Networking lab are equipped with state-of-the-art network devices, security appliances, and servers to practice networking and cybersecurity skills. The Electronics laboratories support teaching and learning in design, development, testing, and analysis in circuits, digital logic, microcomputers, and embedded systems.
There are two thriving student clubs that can help bolster students' interest in Cybersecurity and CS.
The purpose of the Cybersecurity Club is to promote knowledge and experience in cybersecurity and technology, to further student interest and engagement in the field of cybersecurity, and to encourage teamwork, leadership, and networking. For more information or to join our mailing list, check out our linktree!
Learn MoreThe purpose of the Computer Club shall be to promote students and further their knowledge in the computing fields; to further the opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in computer-related fields; and, to encourage interest in the computing fields outside the classroom. For more information or to join our mailing list, check out our linktree!
Learn MoreStudents majoring in Cybersecurity are connected with industry, alumni, and government for competitive internships, which often lead to employment. Our recent cybersecurity students have been working as paid interns for industry companies, hospitals, government, and educational organizations including CCSU and K-12 school districts.
Learn MoreThe National Cyber League (NCL) is a skills-driven, education-focused collegiate cybersecurity competition. The NCL empowers students to ready themselves for the real-world cybersecurity scenarios they may encounter in their future careers. This includes tasks like identifying cyber threats from digital evidence, conducting penetration testing and security audits on vulnerable websites, and recovering from ransomware attacks, among other challenges! It is open to both college and high school students in the United States, the NCL serves as a supportive community and a virtual training platform where students can cultivate and showcase their technical cybersecurity prowess. This initiative assists students in bridging the transition from their academic studies to a successful career in the field of cybersecurity. Learn more
The National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition comprises a sequence of tournament-style contests culminating in an exciting final round, during which teams are tasked with safeguarding a corporate network from a complex simulated cyber assault. Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies division, proudly sponsors this event, which stands as the largest of its kind in the United States. Learn more
The National Security Agency (NSA) released a Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), "Deploying AI Systems Securely: Best Practices for Deploying Secure and Resilient AI Systems." The CSI is intended to support National Security System owners and Defense Industrial Base companies that will be deploying and operating AI systems designed and developed by an external entity. See the report here.
May 25, 2024
On April 16th 1:30pm - 4:30pm, Fortinet, a US-based global company and a leader in enterprise-class cybersecurity and networking innovation, will bring CCSU students an on-site fast-track workshop: Experience the Fortinet Security Fabric in Action. See attached flyer here. The event will be hosted by the CCSU Cybersecurity Program and will take place in Room 416 Networking lab at Applied Innovation Hub (AIH). Pizza will be served around 1:15pm.
April 6, 2024
Eric Goldstein, Executive Assistant Director at Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), published a blog post highlighting the urgency for software manufacturers to incorporate secure by design principles. Read the details.
October 15, 2023
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) relased a fact sheet that provides software security challenges and recommendations to improve security and risk management of OSS use at operational technology vendors and critical infrastructure facilities two new resources for combating ransomware campaigns. Read the details.
October 15, 2023
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) launched two new resources for combating ransomware campaigns: 1) A "Known to be Used in Ransomware Campaigns" column in the KEV Catalog. 2) A "Misconfigurations and Weaknesses Known to be Used in Ransomware Campaigns" table listing common misconfigurations. Read the details.
October 15, 2023
The 2nd Capture The Flag (CTF) Cybersecurity Competition will be held on October 27th - 28th, 2023.
The event is open to all CCSU Students (seats limited). To register click the link.
Event Address: AIH414&416, @CCSU.
Oct 10, 2023
On October 12th 1-4pm, there will be a Computing & Digital Technology Career Fair for CS related jobs in Alumni Hall in the Student Center. This is an opportunity to connect with employers and discuss potential career prospects, including internships and job opportunities!
October 9, 2023
On October 10th 1-4pm, there will be a Career and Internship Fair for all majors in Alumni Hall in the Student Center. Take advantage of this event and get a jump on your job-hunt.
October 9, 2023
The event showcased the exciting research and cybersecurity projects conducted by CCSU students and GenCyber high school participants, mentored by CCSU faculty throughout the past year. It attracted attendees from various backgrounds, including CCSU students and faculty, teachers from surrounding high schools, as well as middle and high school students and their families who were part of CCSU's GenCyber summer camp. See details here.
May 1st, 2023
CCSU's Cybersecurity Center collaborated with Farmington High School's Cybersecurity Club to host an engaging hackathon, igniting passion for cybersecurity among high school students. See details here.
April. 28, 2023
The National Security Agency (NSA) released the "Best Practices for Securing Your Home Network" Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI) to help teleworkers protect their home networks from malicious cyber actors. See the report here.
Feb. 22, 2023
CCSU Cybersecurity Capture-The-Flag (CTF) 2022 competition (1st Cybersecurity CTF competition) will be held 10/30th -11/4th.
Oct 30th - Nov 4th 2022
The Central Connecticut State University GenCyber Cybersecurity Summer Camp is based on the national GenCyber initiative to create and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity students. The free week-long program will be hosted on CCSU’s New Britain campus July 18th through July 22nd, 2022 and is open to 100 students entering 7th - 12th grade who are eager to learn about the field of cybersecurity.
July 18th - 22nd 2022
Dr. Chad Williams (Chair, Department of Computer Science at CCSU) will give a talk about using creative games to teach Cybersecurity.
Feb 7th 2022