UNCW dives into ocean for cybersecurity expertise

TLDR:

Key Points:

• UNCW plans to add a maritime cybersecurity program in response to President Biden’s executive order to strengthen the cybersecurity of maritime ports.
• The university’s Center for Cyber Defense Education is already robust, and the addition of a maritime cybersecurity concentration will leverage the existing marine science center.

In response to President Biden’s recent executive order to enhance cybersecurity at the nation’s maritime ports, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is expanding its cybersecurity programs to include a specialization in maritime cybersecurity. This initiative aims to address the security risks associated with Wilmington’s ocean access, as well as the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the field. The university’s Center for Cyber Defense Education, established in 2018, offers a range of cybersecurity programs, including a major, minor, concentration, and graduate certificate.

The addition of a maritime cybersecurity concentration to the College of Science and Engineering’s existing computer science and cybersecurity programs is expected to further strengthen UNCW’s position as a leader in cybersecurity education. The university’s administration is actively pursuing the development of a maritime research center to address cybersecurity challenges in the transportation industry, particularly around cargo transportation from ships to land.

Faculty from various disciplines, including public and international affairs, maritime piracy, and ocean and earth sciences, are collaborating on the maritime cybersecurity program. The goal is to establish UNCW as a research hub in this specialized area, attracting additional resources and faculty hires over the next few years. Classes in maritime transportation security and industrial security are being offered this semester to students interested in specializing in maritime cybersecurity, reflecting the growing importance of securing the nation’s port systems.

Overall, the focus on maritime cybersecurity at UNCW highlights the university’s commitment to addressing critical cybersecurity challenges in the maritime industry and leveraging its strengths in marine science and technology to drive research and education in this emerging field.