UTC’s InfoSec Center (Information Security) has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for academic years 2008 – 2013. Dr. Joseph Kizza, Coordinator of the InfoSec Center, worked with a team of educators to prepare UTC to become one of two schools in the state of Tennessee to earn the designation. UTC and the University of Memphis are among only 82 institutions in the nation to become Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.
“Since its inception, the courses taught to reach this goal have touched many of our students and provided them with leading edge knowledge in the form of theory, skills, and practical applications. The acknowledgement of this effort by the NSA brings national and international recognition to UTC and clearly supports our role as an engaged institution,” said Dr. Andy Novobilski, Department Head of Computer Science and Assistant Provost for Research and Engagement and Chief Research Officer.
The InfoSec Center is located in the UTC Department of Computer Science and Engineering and is run in collaboration with the UTC Departments of Management and Criminal Justice. The Center prepares undergraduate and graduate students to meet the challenges created by rapid developments in information technologies and the emergence of new threats and attacks on critical information infrastructure. Additionally, this regional model for promoting excellence in information security education assists businesses, government agencies, education institutions and industry in their information security needs, and serves as the first point of call for any information security emergency.
As a direct result of this new designation, The Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program has awarded UTC’s InfoSec Center $60,065 for a new scholarship and recruitment activities. With Dr. Kizza’s leadership, Dr. Andy Novobilski, Dr. Li Yang, Katherine Winters and The UTC Office of Grants and Research contributed to the success of securing the scholarships.
Scholarship recipient Alicia Rhodes, who will be a junior in the in the Computer Science program, is pursuing a degree in Computer Science: Information Systems Security and Assurance. She will participate in an internship with the DoD in the summer of ’09.
“This scholarship is a great opportunity that will help me focus more on my studies and achieving my college and career goals,” said Rhodes. “With the rising cost of tuition, being able to afford higher education is something every college student and their parents have to think about. My parents and I are very happy to know that it will be one less issue we have to worry about. I know I will work extra hard to show the DoD that it made the right choice in choosing a UTC student for this honor.”
The DoD reports that they had 140 students eligible to receive scholarships and 50 were selected nationwide. (This figure does not include returning students who had held scholarships in the previous year). In this competitive process, only 71 DoD scholarships were awarded nationwide, placing UTC among major institutions across the country to be successful in securing funds for this scholarship program.
Under the terms of the scholarship, Rhodes will work for the DoD for two years after she graduates. “It will be a great chance to expand my knowledge on information security and get a jump start on my career,” she said.
Rhodes is most appreciative of the talented faculty in the Department of Computer Science. “Working with Dr. Joseph Kizza last year to help him set up the Information Systems Security and Assurance concentration really gave me a great respect for him and his work. I have also had several classes with Dr. Kathy Winters. She is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She really knows her subject matter. She also takes the time to really get to know her students and she always makes time for them when she is able. Dr. Billy Harris and Dr. Dawn Ellis are also really phenomenal teachers. They really know their subject areas and are always ready to help their students. Everyone encouraged me to apply for the scholarship,” Rhodes said.
Winters and Dr. Joe Dumas, who served as acting head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering for the last year, attended the 2008 national Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education last summer in Dallas. The faculty members formally received the National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education designation.
