CybersecurityCal Poly unveils ambitious cybersecurity educational initiative

With the establishment of a Cybersecurity Center, the opening of a new cyber lab, and the development of cybersecurity curriculum, Cal Poly says it is poised to become a leading supplier of cyber-ready experts, professionals and innovators.

This new educational initiative, led by the College of Engineering, encompasses a collaborative program which includes different departments at the polytechnic university and partners with public and private organizations. A CalPoly release reports that the goals of the program include educating thousands of students in cybersecurity awareness and readiness; producing experts in cyber technologies and systems, including many professionals who will serve the military and defense industry; and graduating cyber innovators who are prepared for advanced study and applied research in emerging cyber issues.

The school says that the Cal Poly Cybersecurity Center serves as the nexus for a range of activities that involve faculty and students collaborating with experts from other academic institutions, private companies, defense industries and government agencies, and research labs.

Part of the cybersecurity initiative, the Cal Poly–Northrop Grumman Cyber Lab, opened for classes this month. The undergraduate and graduate teaching facility, which the school describes as “the first of its kind in the nation,” was made possible by support from the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

With thirty-two workstations, projectors, presentation center, and expansive whiteboard space, the lab allows student and faculty experimentation in network security and cyber defense, exploitation, attack, research and development, analytics and visualization. The lab’s associated server center offers a robust research environment, including all of the elements of an enterprise-scale information technology operation.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation provided funding for hardware and software, and Northrop Grumman also helped design the facility. Dale Griffiths, chief scientist in the Northrop Grumman Intelligence System Division in McLean, Virginia, was sent by the company to set up and configure the lab.

An important aspect of the Cal Poly-Northrop Grumman cyber collaboration includes access via network connection to the Northrop Grumman Virtual Cyber Lab, expanding educational and research capabilities for Cal Poly students and faculty.

“Our shared investment in the cyber lab will be the foundation for a meaningful cyber partnership between Northrop Grumman and Cal Poly,” said Ron Smith, Northrop Grumman Information Systems sector vice president for programs and engineering.

The release notes that Cal Poly’s involvement in cybersecurity education builds upon an already-established focus in the area, including a two-year-old cybersecurity project lab established with funding from Raytheon. The company also sponsors White Hat, the Cal Poly student club dedicated to making the Internet a safer place by protecting personal computers, private data, and information systems.

Future course offerings in cybersecurity may include cryptography engineering, study of cutting-edge malware research and analysis, and examination of the major controversies affecting today’s Internet resulting from the interplay of policy, law and technology.

“Whether you’re a private citizen, private company or government agency, cyber threats are a real and growing concern,” said Debra Larson, dean of Cal Poly Engineering. “Our cyber facilities and education offer every student the opportunity to learn about the risks associated with the use of cyber technology.

“More importantly, through Learn by Doing instruction, Cal Poly will educate the Day One-ready cyber experts who know how to defend, secure, tactically engage and restore the cyber-space. By partnering with businesses and government, we are creating a framework of education, applied research and public service that will benefit the nation.”