Jackson State News Archives
Oct 14, 2009
Jackson State Included in $2.7 Million NSF Advanced Technological Education Grant
Category: General
Posted by: hkennedy
Jackson, Tenn. - Jackson State Community College will receive part of a $2.7 million Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation to further advance cyber security and digital forensics education across the state through training workshops. As the lead institution for the Tennessee Cyber Security Education Consortium (CSEC), which includes 9 of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges, Jackson State will receive over $94,000 a year for three years.
The money will be used to continue the newly created Summer Institute for Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at Jackson State providing hands-on training that focuses on securing network infrastructure from hackers and cyber terrorists. Grant funds also will be used to develop advanced courses in these subject areas to teach students to utilize the latest software programs to gather digital evidence and to focus on protecting access to automation and control systems that might be considered terrorist targets such as gas, electricity or water utility infrastructures.
“Ultimately, the major objective of this initiative is to provide a means for those who are interested in joining the fight against cyber crime and terrorism,” said Dr. Tom Pigg, professor of computer information systems at JSCC and executive director of TN CSEC. “JSCC’s CIS program is working diligently to meet this end and we expect this funding to help in this battle.”
Jackson State also is in the process of developing a strategic partnership with the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Squad and InfraGard Chapter. Students in the cyber security and digital forensics programs at Jackson State will have the chance to work closely with the FBI to enhance skills learned in the classroom.
The TN CSEC is part of the national Cyber Security Education Consortium which is based at the University of Tulsa and includes the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The grant worth $2.7 million is titled “CSEC: Reversing the Outsourcing Tide in Mission-Critical Disciplines.” CSEC hopes to use the grant funds to provide high-quality cyber security programs in at least 19 metropolitan areas and train 2,500 students and 3,000 incumbent workers with advanced skills that will stimulate job growth and stem the tide of jobs being outsourced or sent offshore.
CSEC was launched in Oklahoma in 2002 to build cyber security programs at technology centers and two-year colleges. Currently there are 32 institutions with 105 instructors. More than 1,250 students are pursuing degrees and certifications in the field.
The money will be used to continue the newly created Summer Institute for Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at Jackson State providing hands-on training that focuses on securing network infrastructure from hackers and cyber terrorists. Grant funds also will be used to develop advanced courses in these subject areas to teach students to utilize the latest software programs to gather digital evidence and to focus on protecting access to automation and control systems that might be considered terrorist targets such as gas, electricity or water utility infrastructures.
“Ultimately, the major objective of this initiative is to provide a means for those who are interested in joining the fight against cyber crime and terrorism,” said Dr. Tom Pigg, professor of computer information systems at JSCC and executive director of TN CSEC. “JSCC’s CIS program is working diligently to meet this end and we expect this funding to help in this battle.”
Jackson State also is in the process of developing a strategic partnership with the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Squad and InfraGard Chapter. Students in the cyber security and digital forensics programs at Jackson State will have the chance to work closely with the FBI to enhance skills learned in the classroom.
The TN CSEC is part of the national Cyber Security Education Consortium which is based at the University of Tulsa and includes the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The grant worth $2.7 million is titled “CSEC: Reversing the Outsourcing Tide in Mission-Critical Disciplines.” CSEC hopes to use the grant funds to provide high-quality cyber security programs in at least 19 metropolitan areas and train 2,500 students and 3,000 incumbent workers with advanced skills that will stimulate job growth and stem the tide of jobs being outsourced or sent offshore.
CSEC was launched in Oklahoma in 2002 to build cyber security programs at technology centers and two-year colleges. Currently there are 32 institutions with 105 instructors. More than 1,250 students are pursuing degrees and certifications in the field.