University of Maryland University College to train computer security

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Aug 17, 2006 by Joe Bacchus

The University of Maryland University College will use a new grant to prepare students to combat the computer security problems that bedevil our increasingly digital world.

The grant of equipment and training was made by Cisco Systems Inc.'s critical infrastructure assurance group. Susan Aldridge, UMUC's president, said the university will cover the faculty and administration costs.

"This is the first truly global reach that any university has offered to give students real-life examples and training in computer assurance," Aldridge said.

That real-time training on realistic scenarios will allow students to better develop the technical and creative skills they will need to respond to the growing number of computer and network security issues, she said. What's more, students will be able to take the courses using UMUC's established remote learning program.

UMUC is the University System of Maryland's distance-learning university. The school has approximately 90,000 students at 126 locations in 20 countries, Aldridge said. More than 27,000 of those current students could benefit from the new computer security training, she said.

A report filed with the Maryland Higher Education Commission estimates that the state needs to grow by 7,000 computer security experts each year to meet increasing demand.

UMUC has already upgraded its computer laboratory in Adelphi and constructed a new laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, at the school's UMUC-Europe campus. Next up will be a new lab in Yokata, Japan, at its UMUC-Asia campus, Aldridge said.

The upgraded labs will offer lessons on Internet security, computer forensics, data communication and other related issues. The university already offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focused on cybersecurity and information assurance.

Ken Watson, head of Cisco's critical infrastructure unit, said the company is especially excited about the new UMUC project because of its potential reach.

The program's goal is to help schools develop the resources they need to train the next generation of computer assurance and security professionals. The California-based networking giant's program has supplied more than 70 universities with equipment, work force training, incidence response support and best-practices guidance, he said.

Since 2003, Cisco has donated more than half a million dollars worth of equipment and services to UMUC. The most recent grant was for approximately $287,000, Aldridge said.