Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Richmond Community College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The designation recognizes RichmondCC’s commitment to providing high-quality cybersecurity education and training.
Key points:
- Richmond Community College has been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
- The designation indicates RichmondCC’s commitment to providing high-quality cybersecurity education and training.
- RichmondCC offers a variety of programs and courses in cyber security, including a 14-week bootcamp-style networking/security course.
- RichmondCC also engages with the community and local industry to raise awareness and foster collaboration on cyber security issues.
Richmond Community College (RichmondCC) has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This prestigious recognition indicates RichmondCC’s commitment to providing high-quality cybersecurity education and training to its students and the community.
As a CAE-CD institution, RichmondCC offers a variety of programs and courses that prepare students for careers in the fast-growing and dynamic field of cyber security. One of these programs is a 14-week, bootcamp-style networking/security course funded by an NSA subgrant from the Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP) Community College Consortium (CCN). Students who successfully complete this course will earn industry-recognized Network+ and Security+ certifications. Enrollment in this course has risen and set a record in fall 2023 due to its affordability and accessibility.
Another program that incorporates cyber security training is the Electric Utilities and Substation Relay Technology (EUSRT) program, which prepares students for careers in the electric power industry. RichmondCC added a new course to the program that covers the fundamentals of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and their security implications. This course is now required for EUSRT students to equip them with the skills and knowledge to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
RichmondCC also received the CAE-CD designation because it engages with the community and local industry to raise awareness and foster collaboration on cyber security issues. The college takes the lead role in the CCN Utilities Sector Group, which aims to develop and share best practices and resources for cyber security education and workforce development in the utilities sector. RichmondCC also hosts an annual Cyber Security Summit, a free and open event that features guest speakers, workshops, and demonstrations on various topics related to cyber security.
Overall, Richmond Community College’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality cyber security education and training to its students and the community. The college’s diverse programs and engagement with the community demonstrate its dedication to preparing students for careers in this fast-growing field and contributing to national and global cyber security efforts.
