STEM

Cybersecurity Education in NC Gets Funding Boost

• By Rhea Kelly
• 03/26/21

In order to accelerate education programs in cybersecurity, computer science, privacy and artificial intelligence, Cisco is donating more than $600,000 in both capital and resources to multiple institutions in North Carolina. The goal: To help bridge the digital divide and build up the pipeline of cybersecurity talent in the state.

"By connecting our own researchers and developers with academia, governments, customers, and industry partners we hope to facilitate the collaboration and exploration of new and promising talent and technologies with strong societal, technological, and business impact," explained Anthony Grieco, VP and trust strategy officer for Cisco, in a blog post. "We must give young people in our communities the proper exposure to these pertinent global challenges and arm them with new skillsets throughout their educational journeys."

Among the programs receiving support:

• A new Secure Computing Institute at North Carolina State University, which will serve as "a focal point for research and education efforts in cybersecurity and privacy at the university to support the cybersecurity education needs of industry and government," Grieco said;
• Several cybersecurity initiatives at North Carolina Central University, including scholarship funding, a new cybersecurity minor and a cybersecurity certificate program;
• Formal and informal "engagement activities" for K-12 teachers in development at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, "targeted to under-resourced and underrepresented groups in cybersecurity, computer science and artificial intelligence";
• A 10-week Duke University summer coding program for undergraduate students that provides project-based learning experiences and mentoring from tech professionals; and
• A number of initiatives in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's College of Engineering, including undergraduate scholarships, hackathons, coding-related instruction and participation in the annual Women in Cybersecurity Conference.

"Cybersecurity is a team sport," said Grieco. "When a community rises, we all rise. We are honored to support these important programs, ensuring that the next generation of talent has cybersecurity expertise and is a priority for all."