Marshall University’s Institute of Cyber Security proudly partners and collaborates with numerous public and private organizations. These partnerships benefit our students in two ways:
- Hands-on, real-world practical skills gained through labs and live-fire exercises using industry-standard tools.
- Research and internship opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels are provided by these partnerships.
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Marshall and the National Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure.
On May 16th, 2024, U.S. Cyber Command, JFHQ-DODIN, Marshall University, and West Virginia University announced a new partnership, including the construction of a $45 million facility funded by JFHQ-DODIN. Located at the corner of Hal Greer Boulevard and Fourth Avenue in Huntington, WV, the Institute for Cyber Security building at Marshall will serve as the physical location for the new National Center of Excellence. This 78,000-square-foot building will feature a state-of-the-art operations center, 13 specialized labs, and various training facilities. A second building for the National Center of Excellence will be constructed on WVU’s campus in Morgantown, WV. This partnership will provide students with unprecedented access to advanced resources, cutting-edge technology, and real-world experience, greatly enhancing their educational and professional opportunities in the field of cybersecurity.
Students at Marshall and WVU will benefit immensely from this partnership. The new facilities will provide hands-on training and practical experience in cybersecurity, allowing students to work with the latest technologies and methodologies used by industry professionals. The specialized labs will offer unique opportunities for research and development, fostering innovation and critical thinking. Additionally, the partnership will facilitate internships, cooperative education programs, and networking opportunities with U.S. Cyber Command and other federal agencies, giving students a direct pathway to careers in national security and cybersecurity. This collaboration will not only enhance the academic programs at these universities but also position their graduates as highly skilled and competitive candidates in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity job market.
What is the Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Network?
JFHQ-DODIN integrates, synchronizes, and directs threat-informed priority actions to help commanders and directors actively manage risk to the DODIN and risk to DoD essential functions and missions.
What is the U.S. Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network?
The Academic Engagement Network (AEN) is an alliance of public and private academic institutions collaborating to support and enhance four U.S. Cyber Command lines of effort: future workforce, applied cyber research, applied analytics and strategic issues. The AEN supports and enhances U.S. Cyber Command’s innovative efforts involving the U.S. cyber workforce, applied cyber research, applied analytics and other strategic issues. The AEN aims to create a more diverse, robust and accessible pool of qualified cyber professionals for military and civilian work roles within the Cyber Mission Force.
U.S. Cyber Command and Academia
U.S. Cyber Command collaborates with Academia to:
- Engage the future workforce – by creating a more diverse, robust and accessible pool of qualified cyber professionals for military and civilian work roles within the Cyber Mission Force.
- Increase cyber applied research and innovation – with cutting-edge research to better understand technical and non-technical (policy, law, threat trends) options, problems, solutions, and innovation opportunities.
- Expand cyber-focused analytic partnerships – through exchanges and directed research to foster unique competencies, capacities, and expertise that will provide insight into adversaries cyberspace activities
- Enrich strategic cyber dialogue – by informing academic institutions of the command’s roles, authorities, key issues and responsibilities in National security and cyber operations.
How does MU ICS benefit from the U.S. Cyber Command AEN?
Academic institutions that have joined U.S. Cyber Command’s Academic Engagement Network will:
- Receive communications about changes in the cyberspace domain that may impact their students, programs, research, and partnerships
- Receive invitations to exclusive webinars about USCYBERCOM’s most pressing technical and non-technical problems, as well as how to benefit from key DoD programs that impact cyberspace (e.g. University Consortium for Cybersecurity)
- Gain access to guest lecturers from USCYBERCOM on cyberspace strategy, policy, law, innovation, and workforce issues
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CYBERCOM Announces Academic Engagement Network Partners > U.S. Cyber Command > News
Marshall joins U.S. Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network (lootpress.com)
Want to learn more about Operation Underground Railroad?
More InfoWhat is Operation Underground Railroad?
Operation Underground Railroad is a United States-based nonprofit organization involved in the rescue of human trafficking and sex trafficking victims, with a special focus on children, and a wider goal of eliminating sex trafficking worldwide. O.U.R. partners with local law enforcement agencies around the world to save children from human trafficking. O.U.R. has to date rescued 1,013 victims and helped arrest 462 suspected traffickers worldwide.
The OUR and MU CFS Collaboration
Marshall University’s CFS Program is “just so grateful for this opportunity to serve this cause. Our students get to directly contribute to helping the victims of this terrible crime. In the process, they gain invaluable real-world experience that they can take with them for the rest of their careers.” – John Sammons, Associate Director for the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security.
Want to learn more about Spyder Forensics?
More InfoWhat is Spyder Forensics?
Spyder Forensics is the premier training organization delivering tool-agnostic workflow-based instruction to the global DFIR community. Our courses are designed to cover all disciplines while elevating your examination knowledge and taking our students to the next level in their careers. We pride ourselves on sharing the most cutting-edge research and knowledge with our students.
Spyder Forensics and MU CFS Collaboration
Spyder Forensics has collaborated with the Marshall University Cyber Forensics and Security program on government contracts and grants, offered student internships, and spoken at the annual AIDE Conference, hosted by MU CFS. Their continued support and aid are greatly recognized and appreciated by the students and faculty of the MU CFS program.
Want to learn more about the WV Fusion Center?
More InfoWhat is the West Virginia Fusion Center?
The purpose of West Virginia Fusion Center is to collect, integrate, evaluate, analyze and disseminate information and intelligence to support local, state and federal agencies in detecting, preventing, and responding to criminal and terrorist activity. The WVFC co-locates representatives of these agencies to share information and to facilitate joint efforts to prevent and solve crimes to protect the public.
Marshall and the WVFC
Marshall University has established a strong collaborative relationship with the West Virginia Fusion Center through various initiatives aimed at providing students with hands-on experience in the field of cyber security and forensics.
One notable program is the Marshall Cyber Forensics and Security Internship Program, where selected and experienced students are placed within the Fusion Center to work on tasks related to open-source intelligence, human trafficking investigations, and digital forensics. This internship not only offers practical experience but also compensates students, helping them offset their educational expenses. The initiative aims to prepare students for future careers in homeland security and related fields.
Additionally, Marshall University and the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security launched a broader initiative to place students in various state jobs. This partnership provides paid learning opportunities across multiple DHS agencies, including the Fusion Center. Students gain real-world experience in positions such as data analysts, emergency services specialists, and public relations interns. This collaboration aims to create career pathways for students and retain talent within the state post-graduation (WV Department of Homeland Security).
These programs are part of Marshall University’s broader effort to integrate academic learning with practical experience, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their professional careers while contributing to state and national security efforts.
Want to learn more about Alpha Technologies?
More InfoWho are Alpha Technologies?
Alpha Technologies is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business based in Hurricane, WV. With a global datacenter located in South Charleston, WV, Alpha Technologies is dedicated to providing a wide range of top-tier IT services. These services include system security and maintenance, broadband connectivity, Alpha-Voice services, cloud computing, data storage, and backup solutions.
Guided by professionalism and integrity, Alpha Technologies strives to be the leading IT services company and technology solutions provider in West Virginia and beyond. Their team of IT experts is committed to delivering reliable and secure IT solutions, enabling businesses to focus on growth while they manage the technology. By aligning their core business model with the needs of their clients, Alpha Technologies ensures fast, secure, and efficient handling of business communications, data storage, data security, and fail-safe backup systems.
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Want to learn more about Fusion Technologies?
More InfoWho is Fusion Technologies?
Fusion Technology excels in delivering a comprehensive suite of IT services, including user experience design, branding, agile development, DevSecOps, and disaster recovery to ensure professional results for clients. Their expertise encompasses cybersecurity measures such as pen testing, incident response, and cyber policy alignment with FISMA and NIST standards. Additionally, they provide cloud services to enhance clients’ existing infrastructure and integrate emerging technologies. Fusion Technology is also at the forefront of biometric system engineering, offering solutions that support identity management initiatives across various federal agencies. Their commitment to software development and systems engineering is evident through their support for federal and private sector projects, in collaboration with trusted business partners, to ensure the success of their clients’ missions.
Want to learn more about the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center?
More InfoWhat does Marshall Advanced Manufacturing do?
The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (formerly the Robert C. Byrd Institute – RCBI) offers a comprehensive stable of resources and staff expertise to support economic development and growth across the Mid-Atlantic region. Leveraging its expertise in manufacturing, technology and workforce development with a full complement of leading-edge equipment, the center enables manufacturers and makers to move their innovative ideas and creative solutions from concept to market.