Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- UNC Wilmington has developed a successful cyberdefense program with multiple offerings for undergraduate and graduate students.
- There is a shortage of cybersecurity professionals nationwide, but UNCW’s program is helping bridge the gap.
UNC Wilmington has established itself as a leader in cyberdefense education, with the creation of the Center for Cyber Defense Education and multiple cybersecurity programs for students. The university’s initiative began almost 20 years ago with the participation of students in cyberdefense competitions, leading to the establishment of a cybersecurity minor and bachelor’s degree. This move was motivated by the nationwide shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with approximately 600,000 open cyberdefense jobs in the country. UNCW’s program has successfully graduated a higher number of cybersecurity majors than initially anticipated, indicating the effectiveness of its curriculum.
Collaboration between the Cameron School of Business and the College of Science and Engineering has been instrumental in the success of UNCW’s cybersecurity program, offering students a comprehensive understanding of both managerial and technical aspects of cyberdefense. The university’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with industry professionals like Thomas Hill recognizing the quality of students graduating from UNCW. Hill emphasized the importance of gaining practical experience and highlighted the need for experienced cybersecurity professionals in the job market.
Looking ahead, UNCW is working on expanding its offerings with the creation of graduate certificates and a cyber center for students to experience real-world cyberattacks. The university’s proactive approach to addressing the cybersecurity shortage is commendable and reflects its commitment to producing highly skilled cybersecurity professionals for the future.
