Center for Cybersecurity | Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering

USM is committed to providing educational pathways in cybersecurity for traditional
and non-traditional learners. Our Center for Cybersecurity is comprised of traditional
and alternative pathways to cybersecurity education, collaborative, cross-disciplinary
research, and community outreach activities that include summer camps and workshops
for K-12 students.

In addition to our Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, our cybersecurity certificate and information security minor provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities for protecting hardware, software,
and data.
As a CompTIA Academic partner, and through collaborative relationships with a variety
of stakeholders, we offer cybersecurity awareness and more advanced cybersecurity
training through adult and K-12 outreach programs.
Our faculty are active in innovative research and we are committed to excellence in
teaching, research, and service in cybersecurity.
Our cyber range provides virtual environments for realistic, hands-on cybersecurity
labs and exercises.

WORLDWIDE CYBERSECURITY NEWS

Our Programs

The information technology program prepares its graduates to design, implement and
administer complex client-server information systems. The program includes coursework
in local and wide-area networking, cybersecurity including network security, network
management, network design as well as application development and virtualization technologies.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity if offered fully online and
provides opportunity to transfer up to 60 hours of technical credit earned at a community
college to a 4-year degree program in a growing technical field.

The certificate in applied cybersecurity is an option for industry professionals who
want to upskill in the cybersecurity content area, for those looking to enter the
professional sector from another vocation, and for undergraduates in any major who
want to develop skills and competencies for cybersecurity defense.

The Information Security minor provides foundational skills development in policies,
processes, and technologies for application in securing information and managing the
risks related to the use, storage, and transmission of data and information.

Eagle Cyber Range

Our Eagle Cyber Range provides a cloud-hosted virtual environment for realistic, hands-on
cybersecurity labs and exercises. Other academic and training entities are invited
to contact%20us to learn about this service.

Outreach

Our community outreach programs boost tech sector diversity and provide pathways to
cybersecurity education in Mississippi. USM’s iTech department keeps University stakeholders alert to technical infrastructure issues
including cybersecurity events and warnings. Check out current alerts.

Learn how to practice good cyber hygiene: Cybersecurity Awareness @ USM

Other initiatives

Student Activities

Our students are active in student organizations, community outreach, and competitions.
Student organizations include the following:

Cybersecurity Competitions

Cybersecurity competitions are hosted in-person or virtually and provide an environment
for participants to engage with cybersecurity activities in a competitive manner.
These activities enable students to apply the theories and approaches to cyber defense
and operations to real-world applications in a safe, controlled environment.

Participating in cybersecurity competitions bring a number of benefits. Participants
gain experience in ethical practices, they enhance their learning, and they are able
to network with cybersecurity professionals and employers which often leads to internshps
and full-time employment in the field.

A few of the most well known competitions in the cybersecurity industry are: