The Institute for Cyber Security addresses threats on the local, national and international level.
If you talk to the experts at the newly formed Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security, you’ll quickly learn that cybersecurity is more than a buzzword. It’s a critical issue that affects everyone in the world.
“Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology problem,” said John Sammons, chair of Marshall’s Department of Cyber Forensics and Security and director of the Cyber Forensics and Security graduate program. “It’s a business problem and a political problem. It’s a public health problem and a national security problem. Technology has permeated every aspect of society — everything from medical care to banking, from buying a hamburger to getting gas. We are totally dependent on it, which makes us extremely vulnerable. We see this problem playing out on the news nearly every evening.”
In October 2021, the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security was created to address these concerns, bringing together hardware and software engineers, forensic scientists, cybersecurity practitioners and policy experts to take on emerging cyberthreats on the local, national and even international level. The academic component of the ICS combines four degree programs and two colleges, the College of Science and the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, with support from the College of Business and others.
It’s already making an impact, said ICS Director Dr. David Dampier. The ICS has partnered with multiple government agencies and nonprofits, including Operation Underground Railroad, which fights child sex trafficking in the U.S. and abroad; the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center, an anti-terrorism agency; the Department of Defense; and the Department of Homeland Security. In March, the ICS announced a partnership with the West Virginia National Guard and cybersecurity firm Forge Security to provide “live fire” cyber range training exercises for members of the National Guard. The ICS also provides assistance to the West Virginia State Police’s southern digital forensics lab.
Dampier said while many of Marshall’s cybersecurity initiatives were in place before the institute was established, what the ICS offers is a truly collaborative approach to these increasingly complex issues. Housed in the Weisberg Applied Engineering Complex, the ICS brings all of the university’s cybersecurity programs under one roof, both literally and figuratively.
“In the past, our cybersecurity research was managed in multiple colleges by multiple departments. The Institute for Cyber Security provides a mechanism for those colleges and departments to work together,” said Dampier, who is also dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. “We’re going to see a significant increase in the amount of research we’re able to do. We’re going to be able to take on much bigger projects.”
The ICS has begun partnerships with West Virginia University, West Virginia State University and Mountwest Community & Technical College, sharing capabilities and resources to have a greater impact in the cybersecurity realm. Dampier said partnerships with other universities are also in the works.
For students, the ICS provides a fully integrated curriculum, with elective courses from multiple departments that will enrich their chosen field of study as well as hands-on experience that will make them workforce ready.
“Part of the ICS’s mission is to address the massive workforce shortage and skills gap in the cyber domain,” Sammons said. “Our academic programs are very practitioner focused, with as much hands-on, skills-based experience as possible.”
The institute is made up of five components: academics, research, external relations, training programs and public outreach. While academics and research are the seminal work of the institute, the other three areas will become increasingly important as the ICS continues to grow and recruit personnel. Plans include educational programs for area schools, training for law enforcement and cybersafety seminars for local businesses.
“It’s not just large corporations that are being targeted and breached,” Sammons said. “Local mom-and-pops are also breached at an alarming rate.”
Sammons said as cyberthreats become of greater and greater concern, universities play a vital role. He credited Dr. Mike Little, former chair of the past Department of Integrated Science and Technology; Dr. Charles Somerville, dean of the College of Science; and Dr. Terry Fenger, founder and former director of the university’s graduate forensic science program for paving the way for Marshall’s leadership in the cyber arena. Sammons said their vision and support were invaluable to the university’s success to date.
“Universities have a key role to play in cybersecurity, not only by providing graduates to address the workforce shortage but also by conducting research, developing new technologies and working toward a better understanding of the science behind cybercrimes,” Sammons said. “Cybersecurity is truly an ‘all hands on deck’ situation, and there are roles and responsibilities at all levels. This includes the individual user, government at all levels, law enforcement, private companies and the military and intelligence communities. The problem is simply too big for any single entity to solve alone.”
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About the Author: Katherine Pyles is a freelance writer and editor living in Huntington, West Virginia.
Photos (from top):
The Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security was formed in October 2021. Faculty and staff include, from left, Dr. Paulus Wahjudi; Bill Gardner; John Sammons, Cyber Forensics and Security chair; Dr. Husnu Narman, associate director; Josh Brunty; and Dr. David Dampier, director.
Cyber Security’s academic programs are very practitioner focused, with as much hands-on, skills-based experience as possible. Among other external agencies, the institute provides assistance to the West Virginia State Police’s southern digital forensics lab. Jacob Hewitt, a graduate student, works under the direction of Josh Brunty.
Students log lots of computer time in their studies. From left are Jacob Hewitt; Alisha Joseph; Bill Gardner; Brittany Belcher, project manager; and John McFee, graduate student.