CEHC Launches New Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity
By Mike Nolan
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 15, 2022) — The demand for professionals who have the skills necessary to prevent and respond to cyber attacks has never been higher, as government agencies and private organizations face more frequent, targeted, and sophisticated threats from hackers.
The number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide grew 350 percent between 2013 and 2021, from 1 million to 3.5 million, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The industry researcher predicts that the same number of jobs will still be open in 2025.
The College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) at the University at Albany is launching a new undergraduate program to help close the gap.
Starting in Fall 2023, CEHC will offer a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Through coursework, research and experiential learning opportunities, students will learn how to serve as the first line of defense in protecting an organization’s data, devices, computers and networks.
The program has received approval from the New York Education Department and applications are now open.
“At CEHC, we are committed to the safety of our communities and training the next generation of security leaders,” said CEHC founding dean Robert Griffin. “This new program will expand upon CEHC’s academic and hands-on experiential learning opportunities, preparing our students to meet the increased demand for skilled professionals who can keep data and other sensitive digital information safe from cyber criminals.”
New Cybersecurity Program
As part of its efforts to offer degree programs that are in response to ongoing and anticipated student demand, CEHC moved forward with a proposal to create a new, stand-alone undergraduate degree in cybersecurity.
The degree will be made up of the core and concentration requirements of the current cybersecurity concentration track in CEHC’s Informatics undergraduate program.
Over the last several years, the cybersecurity concentration has been “far and away” the most popular option among Informatics undergraduate students, according to George Berg, an associate professor and chair of the Cybersecurity Department at CEHC who researches and teaches courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, drones, and maker technologies such as 3D printing.
The new 54-credit combined major/minor program will include a three course, nine-credit experiential learning requirement for graduation.
“This new program will leverage the curriculum of CEHC’s existing concentration to offer students both a solid cybersecurity technology core, as well as other related learning areas, such as hands-on digital technologies, project management, and a three-class suite of experiential learning opportunities,” Berg said.
“By graduation, students will have the tools and skills to move into the workforce, both to directly protect the computers and networks of companies, organizations, and government agencies, as well as better prepare them for the wide range of information assurance challenges they face.”
A Growing Academic Portfolio
CEHC was established in 2015 to help meet a growing need for security and preparedness professionals. Since its launch, the College has surpassed all growth expectations, now enrolling more than 2,000 students, including intended majors and minors, between its undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
Due to the unprecedented growth, CEHC announced last summer that it is expanding its academic portfolio into three new departments: Emergency Management/Homeland Security, Information Sciences & Technology and Cybersecurity.
The College launched a new Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security this semester, along with new undergraduate minors in machine learning informatics and game design and development that are now open to students of all majors. It also houses an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Information Science with a specialization in Information Assurance.
CEHC is a centerpiece of ETEC, a $180 million research and development complex on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus designed to bring together scientists and entrepreneurs from across disciplines to collaboratively find solutions to society’s most complex challenges.