The new support from Google’s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund will allow the Bryan School to establish a ground-breaking consulting center with two purposes: teaching students the latest cybersecurity and AI skills and providing those services to under-resourced community organizations and businesses. Similar to how law or medical schools offer free community clinics, the Spartan CyberGuardian Academy will help protect vulnerable organizations – such as schools, small businesses and nonprofits – from cyber-attacks. Expected to open in January, the clinic will train more than 870 people over the next six years, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as high school and community college participants. Together, the students will work with 174 nonprofits and businesses that would otherwise not have resources to protect their digital assets.

“This not only puts us on the national map, but it aligns very closely with our vision to establish our department as a leader in innovative education, cutting-edge research and impactful community engagement,” says Dr. Lakshmi Iyer, ISSCM chair and co-PI for the grant. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to be engaged with the community while gaining real-world experience. At the same time, community organizations benefit because we can help them evaluate their infrastructure.”

The grant is just part of an overall noteworthy year for the department as it adapts its programs to meet today’s business needs. This fall, ISSCM has added three new graduate concentrations and graduate certificates in Generative AI for Business, Cloud Computing and Security Analytics, and Supply Chain Analytics. The programs are not only leading-edge but also reflective of lasting change in how businesses operate, Iyer said.

Cybersecurity is one of those growth areas. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report, cyber insecurity is one of the top 10 global risks over the next decade. Currently, there are nearly 450,000 open cybersecurity jobs in the US, including 13,251 in North Carolina, and demand for cyber professionals is projected to grow 32% by 2033.

To help meet this need, the grant will ensure accessible, free training for all students, including those from underserved communities, says Dr. Moez Farokhnia Hamedani, assistant professor and PI on the grant. Companies want to hire people who have not only theoretical knowledge but also certain certifications and real-world experience, he added. “So the knowledge and experience gained by these individuals will not only positively impact their career paths but also enhance the overall quality of cybersecurity in our region.”

Generative AI is another sea change that will have far-reaching impact on business, and students specializing in this area will now be able to access the expensive, high-powered computers needed for this field in the new cybersecurity clinic.  “Everyone’s profession is going to be affected in some way by AI,” says Dr. Al Salam, professor and co-PI on the grant. Recent studies of online job sites such as Indeed have found a 60% increase in jobs that have some type of generative AI component, he said. “Companies are looking for professionals who are quite familiar with the use of generative AI, particularly within the context of their professions, and who are able to use this technology really well.”