The White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is pleased to host the Women in Cyber webinar on Saturday, March 23 at 9:00AM-1:00PM EST.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, this fully virtual event aims to empower the next generation of women in cyber by sharing White House leadership remarks and panel discussions of women in cyber across government, industry, academia, and non-profit domains.
Registration is limited, so we encourage attendees to register promptly following the RSVP link in the invitation.
UD Engineering receives $3.4 million from NSF’s Scholarships For Service program to support top-tier cybersecurity students and bolster professional development opportunities
In 2012, the University of Delaware became the lead institution of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Collaborative Scholarships for Service (SFS) Capacity Building project to establish cybersecurity-focused educational programs.
Since then, UD has grown to become a leader in this area by providing students with the skills and experiences they need to tackle emerging threats in the digital realm thanks to its range of academic offerings (including a new cybersecurity engineering undergraduate program launched last fall), access to hands-on training programs, and the innovative research projects housed under UD’s Center for Cybersecurity, Assurance and Privacy (CCAP).
Now, the College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and UD’s CCAP will build off the strengths of its existing program offerings with additional support from NSF’s CyberCorps SFS program. This new program will not only provide scholarships for top-tier undergraduate and graduate students who will go on to serve in crucial roles across federal, state, local and tribal security sectors, it will also bolster UD’s offerings in professional development, career preparation and hands-on cybersecurity training.
“As Cybersecurity plays an ever-increasing role in our digital landscape, and more and more of life moves online, it is more important than ever that we have a contingent of trained professionals ready to address virtual threats of any kind,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “To see the NSF investing significant resources in Dr. Ken Barner’s team and the University of Delaware reinforces for me what I already knew: Delaware is at the forefront of technological advancement, and UD is leading the way in preparing our country to be as safe and prepared as possible in the digital age.”
Students in the Evans Hall Cyber Range participate in a “Capture the Flag” challenge. These and other cybersecurity-focused activities are a key component of the hands-on training and real-world experiences provided by the University of Delaware’s electrical and computer engineering department.
The principal investigator (PI) of UD’s “Defending Cyberspace through Active Learning” program, which includes $3.4 million in funding over five years, is Kenneth Barner, Charles Black Evans Professor of Electrical Engineering. Co-PIs are associate professors Stephan Bohacek and Andrew Novocin, and assistant professor Nektarios Tsoutsos.
“Getting to be part of this SFS cohort was a natural next step for furthering our degree offerings,” Barner said. “Now that we have all the infrastructure, and there’s a great demand for our cyber security courses, we can significantly strengthen our current program offerings in a way that supports our students and helps launch them on their careers.”
“Securing Cyberspace is an identified Engineering Grand Challenge for personal privacy and national security while there remains a critical cybersecurity skills gap and workforce shortage,” said professor and department chair Jamie Phillips. “I am extremely pleased to see the establishment of our CyberCorps SFS program at the University of Delaware to play our part in addressing this national and global need through excellence in educating the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow.”
“As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor and the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Future of Work Caucus in Congress, preparing people in Delaware and across the country to take on in-demand jobs has long been a top priority of mine,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Our country is currently facing a significant cybersecurity workforce shortage with more than 500,000 open cyber roles nationwide and more than 2,000 openings in Delaware alone. I’m excited by today’s announcement which will bring over $3 million in federal funding to support cybersecurity students at the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering through this innovative new program as they prepare to take on critical cybersecurity roles, helping strengthen our cybersecurity workforce, grow our economy, and protect our personal data and national security.”
Unique opportunities for cybersecurity scholars
UD’s new “Defending cyberspace through active learning” SFS program, which includes $3.4 million over five years, is led by PI Kenneth Barner (far left) and co-PIs (from second left to far right) Stephan Bohacek, Andrew Novocin and Nektarios Tsoutsos.
Awarded to five new institutions this fiscal year, the SFS program provides scholarships for students who enroll in the cybersecurity engineering bachelor of science program, the master of science in cybersecurity program, the cybersecurity 4+1 BCPE/MS program, and students pursuing a cybersecurity-focused PhD, all of which are part of UD’s electrical and computer engineering department. The first cohort of SFS scholars will join the UD community starting next fall and will receive a stipend, an allowance for professional development activities and computers, and have their tuition paid in full for up to two years.
One key feature of the SFS program is the requirement for scholarship recipients to work in cybersecurity-related jobs for federal, state, local or tribal government organizations for the same or longer length of time as their scholarship. To help students meet additional internship requirements for the SFS program, this year UD will pilot a summer internship program with the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and begin fostering additional partnerships with local and regional governmental organizations.
“As a UD engineering alumnus, I am proud of the University’s continued commitment to innovation and preparing students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. DTI is thrilled to partner with UD scholars on this cybersecurity internship program,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer Greg Lane. “Cybercrime is growing exponentially, and Delaware — like other states — needs a pipeline of these specially trained professionals to address emerging threats to protect our critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and public services. These experts are on the frontline of maintaining the State’s cybersecurity posture and safeguarding our networks. Like those who entered the IT field a few decades ago, these students will find themselves on the cutting edge as the next generation of leaders in the cybersecurity space.”
Not only will UD’s SFS scholars receive generous financial support which includes $27,000 per year for undergraduates, $37,000 per year for graduate students, and $6,000 allowance per year for conference travel and professional certifications along with free tuition and job placement support, but they’ll also be able to gain cutting-edge cybersecurity skills thanks to UD’s course offering that balances cybersecurity theory with hands-on practice, including the ability to participate in cyber defense and warfare training in the Cyber Range. UD’s well-established cybersecurity curriculum played a pivotal role in UD being designated as a U.S. National Security Agency’s (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence (CAE).
“We have a significant number of dedicated cybersecurity classes. A lot of our classes are also very hands-on, and I think that’s one of UD’s strengths,” added Bohacek. “The SFS scholarships will now be a great way to expand our program, increase our enrollment, and reach a wider set of the best, brightest, and most diverse students we can have.”
Outside of courses and internships, UD students engage in a breadth of cybersecurity activities, including the Cybersecurity Scholars Program, Distinguished Lecture series, and Capture The Flag competitions to enhance their practical, career-ready cyber skill sets further. Now, thanks to this SFS program, the department aims to create a new professional development course (in partnership with UD’s career center), launch a mentorship program for women in cybersecurity, and provide additional mentoring and advisement support.
Tsoutsos (third from left) and Barner (third from right) at the SFS awards ceremony, which took place earlier this year during the program’s annual career fair.
The future of cybersecurity at UD
Along with attracting top-tier cybersecurity students to UD, this new scholarship program will further enhance UD’s cybersecurity research through the CCAP. Not only will being part of this SFS community help UD foster collaborations that will lead to new research innovations, but it will also enable stronger ties with government agencies such as the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, and the U.S. military.
“UD will be part of a prestigious group of universities whose students can earn a cybersecurity degree and then get direct placement in elite government agencies,” said Tsoutsos, referring to the fact that the SFS institutions includes just 100 universities from the last 23 years. “It will have a significant impact on our efforts to grow our cyber security programs here at UD, which will help us attract more faculty, students, and researchers as part of a positive loop that will allow us to pursue more cutting-edge cybersecurity and privacy research.”
After attending the SFS job fair in Washington, D.C., this January and speaking with a few of the nearly 1,000 SFS scholars who attended, Barner is excited for the vibrancy that the next generation of cybersecurity students will bring to UD thanks to this new program.
“Cybersecurity was a niche area just ten years ago, and now it’s a significant component of what we do here in the college and our department,” he said. “I was really energized by the SFS students, who were all engaged and excited about their internships and experiences they had in the programs, and I think this is going to be a great program for UD and its students.”
Article by Erica K. Brockmeier | Photos by Evan Krape, Kathy F. Atkinson and Ambre Alexander | Photo illustration by Joy Smoker
Want to learn more about the US Department of Homeland Security and the research the agency and component agencies do while enhancing your research skills and career goals?
The Homeland Security Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research program is now accepting applications for internships starting in the summer of 2024.
- Want to learn more about the US Department of Homeland Security and the research the agency and component agencies do to enhance your research interests and career goals?
- Interested in learning from top scientists and subject matter experts in homeland security related areas?
- Seeking to network with your peers and members of the academic and scientific communities in government facilities conducting research in DHS relevant areas?
If you answered “Yes”, to the above questions, the HS-POWER program is for you!
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs sponsors the Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER) Program for undergraduate and graduate students.
- HS-POWER is open to students majoring in a broad spectrum of homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as well as DHS mission-relevant research areaswhich includes social sciences.
- As a participant in the HS-POWER Program, you will participate in quality research experiences with federal research facilities and other DHS-STEM focused entities nationwide. You will establish connections with DHS professionals that facilitate long-term relationships between yourself, researchers, DHS personnel and research facilities, giving you a competitive edge as you move forward toward your career.
Click HERE for the Application
Benefits
- Stipend: Undergraduate students receive $750 per week and graduate students will receive $950 per week.
- Travel: A total of $1,000 travel reimbursement for inbound and outbound expenses for participants who live more than fifty miles, one-way, from the assigned hosting site, and who are paying for housing onsite is available.
- Housing Allowance: A housing allowance of $400/week is provided to participants whose home of record is more than fifty miles, one-way, from their assigned hosting facility, move onsite for the duration of their appointment, and are paying for housing while onsite. Alternatively, for those whose appointment is 100% virtual, a $50 virtual allowance will be added.
Appointment Details
- Appointments will be for 10 consecutive weeks during the months of May-July. Factors such as class schedules, housing availability and facility schedules may be taken into consideration when determining appointment start and end dates.
- Interns will be assigned to research projects and/or other technical activities under the guidance of a DHS mentor.
- An appointment involves daily participation at the host facility with the HS-POWER participant in residence at the specified location. Virtual appointments may be available for some appointments.
- HS-POWER participants are required to have health insurance coverage during the appointment period and to provide proof of this coverage prior to the start of the appointment.
Nature of Appointment
Participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DHS, or the hosting facility. Instead, participants will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE Letter of Appointment and Terms of Appointment.
How to Apply
A completed application consists of:
- A completed Zintellect Profile
- A completed Application which contains:
- An Interest Essay:
The essay includes questions specific to the program addressing each of the following topics:
- Personal Motivation for applying
- Career Goals
- Research Interests and Relevance to DHS Research Areas
- Transcripts/Academic Records:
- Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted with the application.
o Transcripts/Academic records must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades. Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
- Copies of official transcripts will be required if an appointment is offered.
- Letters of Recommendation:
You are required to request recommendations from a professional who can speak to your academic record and potential for success in an appointment as indicated by academic accomplishments, as well as communication and teamwork skills. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect.
- Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted.
- You are solely responsible for following up with your recommenders to ensure timely completion.
All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be received in the system to be considered. For more information, contact us at dhsed@orau.org.
Connect with ORISE…on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Qualifications
To be considered, applicants must meet each of the following criteria:
- Be a United States (U.S.) citizen as of the application deadline. Evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted to ORISE at the time appointment is accepted.
- Be 18 years of age or older by desired start date.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
- Be majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field which includes social sciences, with interest in homeland security research as described in the DHS Research Areas.
- Be interested in pursuing long-term career goals aligned with the DHS mission and objectives.
- Can obtain and maintain the required security clearance to access hosting facility.
- Meet one of the following conditions:
o Full-time enrollment as a freshman, sophomore or junior undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university during the 2023-2024 academic year.
o Full-time enrollment as a senior undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited 4-year college or university during the 2023-2024 academic year and plans to be enrolled as a graduate student at a U.S. accredited college or university for Fall 2024.
o Full-time enrollment as a graduate student at a U.S. accredited college or university during the 2023-2024 academic year, and plan to continue enrollment in Fall 2024.
Additional Information
- For students enrolled at a 2-year institution during the 2023-2024 academic year: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of application to a 4-year institution at the time appointment is accepted. Proof of enrollment in the 4-year institution for fall 2024 will be required upon appointment.
- For undergraduate seniors graduating in spring or summer 2024: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of application to an accredited graduate institution at the time appointment is accepted. Proof of enrollment/acceptance in graduate school for fall 2024 will be required upon appointment.
- Graduate students with an expected graduation date prior to the Summer 2024 term are not eligible to participate.
- Students must demonstrate interest in research and development of innovative, next-generation homeland security solutions with potential for broad impact that align with the DHS mission to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.
- Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated history of work, undergraduate research experience, or service learning/volunteer roles.
Important Information
- Preference will be given to applicants who are:
o Veterans and Disabled Veterans
o Underrepresented minorities in STEM
o Persons with disabilities
o Persons possessing a suitability or security clearance within the last five years.
Employees of DHS Component agencies or participating partner agencies are not eligible to participate in this program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree:Currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
Click HERE to view the PDF handout
We are pleased to announce Delaware’s 14th Annual Cybersecurity Workshop will be held on October 24th as an in person event in order to better encourage networking and a strong learning environment!
The conference continues to provide superior Cybersecurity training for Delaware’s citizens, businesses, students, and government employees.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Attend a full day of cybersecurity learning, meet industry vendors, and network with leading cybersecurity professionals.
October 24, 2023
8am-4pm EDT
University of Delaware
Clayton Hall
100 David Hollowell DR
Newark, DE 19716
REGISTER TODAY
The 2023 Secure Delaware Cyber Workshop is an opportunity to come together for an informative full-day session focusing on cyber security. During this in-person event, industry experts on Cyber Security will present information on a variety of current cyber trends and topics.
The conference will include two keynote speakers along with additional unique cyber topics for the smaller group breakout sessions. Topics will range from the 2023 Cyber Security Threats and Trends and How-to Workshops to information on current legal and Insurance implications in the world of cyber! This conference offers opportunities to network and collaborate across all lines of government, business, and citizens, with the goal of strengthening our readiness and response posture.
Our 14th annual workshop will offer a great opportunity to learn from a lineup of expert speakers and will be the PREMIER Cyber Security Event happening in Delaware for 2023!
The workshop is brought to you by the Delaware Department of Technology and Information, Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Small Business Development Center, and the University of Delaware.
Check out last year’s event!
Find Out More
