Georgia State University Cyber Designations Show State’s Cyber Investments Continue to Pay Off
Recently, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Georgia State University has earned two prestigious cyber security designations, thanks to the school’s demonstrated commitment to both cybersecurity research and training. Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, the epicenter of tech growth and development.
In June, the school was designated as both a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Only 45 universities nationwide have received designations in both cyber defense and education, and through this special program, students and faculty are eligible for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program, as well as funding opportunities from other sources such as the National Science Foundation.
The National Centers of Academic Excellence program was established by the NSA in 1999 to reduce vulnerability in the nation’s information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense. With the designation, colleges and universities are formally recognized by the U.S. government for their robust cybersecurity-related programs.
These prestigious classifications earned by Georgia State University are indicative of a larger trend occurring within the state – the cyber defense industry is here to stay. This is large in part due to the state’s continued investment in cyber-related infrastructure and education.
Georgia companies and agencies play an integral role in protecting the United States’ military networks against cyberattacks or other digital intrusions from enemy forces. In the coming months and years, their role in protecting our nation’s cybersecurity will only grow.
The Georgia Cyber Center at Fort Gordon in Augusta is currently one of four U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) centers in the nation. In 2022, the installation will become ARCYBER headquarters. ARCYBER’s key missions include operating and aggressively defending the U.S. Department of Defense Information Network, delivering offensive and defensive cyberspace effects against adaptive adversaries, and rapidly developing and deploying cyberspace capabilities to equip our forces for future fights.
The $100 million Georgia Cyber Center, the single-largest investment in a cybersecurity facility by a state government to-date, continues to attract investments and opportunities from private-sector partners from across the U.S., bringing numerous high-paying jobs to the Augusta area.
For example, Governor Kemp recently announced that Perspecta Inc. (PRSP), a leading U.S. government services provider, is opening a regional office at the Georgia Cyber Center, creating 178 jobs in Richmond County. The company chose to establish a presence at the Georgia Cyber Center and surrounding area because of ARCYBER’s headquarters relocation to Fort Gordon. Perspecta opening a regional office in Augusta will create local job opportunities for engineers, analysts, investigators, and solution architects.
More than 41,000 students are currently enrolled in cyber-related majors in the university and technical college systems of Georgia. As Georgia’s talent continues to attract a broad range of companies and services like Persecta, we expect workforce numbers and areas of expertise to continue their expansion. To help ensure that companies continue to hire Georgians for the job, the state’s education and talent development programs in cyber-related fields are a key priority.
Posted: July 7, 2020