UNCW’s cyberdefense program secures $625K in federal funding for advancement

TLDR:

• UNCW’s Center for Cyber Defense Education received $625,000 in federal funding for a research project focusing on maritime cybersecurity.
• The project aims to address cybersecurity professional shortages, risk assessment, remediation plan development, and national standards development within the maritime industry.

UNCW has secured $625,000 in federal funding for a research project focused on maritime cybersecurity. The funding, obtained with the help of U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, is part of the federal budget for the 2024 fiscal year. The project, titled “Maritime Cyber Security: Standards Advancement, Research, and Workforce Development,” will be led by cyberdefense professor Ulku Clark and College of Science and Engineering Dean Ron Vetter. The goal of the project is to strengthen cybersecurity within the country’s maritime transportation system.

UNCW’s cyberdefense program, which offers a cybersecurity major, minor, concentration, and graduate certificate, combines the resources of the Cameron School of Business and the College of Science and Engineering. The research project team will include members from both colleges. The focus on maritime cybersecurity stems from the Presidential Policy Directive 21, which designates 16 sectors as critical infrastructure, including the maritime subsector of the transportation sector. The Biden Administration’s executive order in February further emphasized the need to secure the nation’s port systems.

The additional funding will allow UNCW to address issues such as the shortage of cybersecurity professionals, risk assessment, remediation plan development, and the establishment of national standards within the maritime industry. Rep. Rouzer highlighted the importance of UNCW’s research and education program in preparing a skilled workforce to defend the nation’s maritime industry against cyber threats. Overall, the funding will enable UNCW to expand its maritime cybersecurity research and education initiatives, contributing to the security of the nation’s maritime transportation system.