Designation by NSA, DHS Applies to Research, Education Programs
The 葫芦影业鈥檚 educational and research programs in cybersecurity and
cyber defense have been recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department
of Homeland Security.
UH first received the 鈥淐enter of Academic Excellence鈥� designation for its education programs in 2007, after the creation of the Center for Information Security Research and Education. This is the first time it has received the research designation.
UH is one of 28 universities in the United States, including three in Texas, with the dual designation.
UH was recently designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
for both cybersecurity education and research. At the Designation Ceremony (from left),
Leonard Reinsfelder, Deputy Director for Education and Training, NSA; Arthur Conklin,
Associate Professor, UH College of Technology; T. Randall Lee, Associate Dean for
Research, UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Stephen Huang, UH Professor
of Computer Science; Lynne Clark, Chief of the National Information Assurance Education
and Training Program, NSA; and Jacqueline Sullivan, Acting Program Lead for the DHS
National Cybersecurity Training and Education Program.The recognition, good for six years, offers a stamp of approval for education and
research into a rapidly changing field. Cybersecurity issues, from crime to espionage,
have gained attention as society has grown more dependent on computers and the Internet.
The work involves faculty from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics鈥� Department
of Computer Science and the College of Technology.
Stephen Huang, professor of computer science, said the research designation reflects the strength of UH research in cybersecurity and related areas, led by faculty in the computer science department.
鈥淒esignation as an NSA Center of Excellence for Research is a prerequisite for several federal funding opportunities, including National Science Foundation and Department of Defense scholarships and capacity building grants,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese additional opportunities will provide a boost to our cybersecurity research and education.鈥�
The research review covered the Ph.D. curriculum, the number of doctoral degrees awarded and both the research publications and grant awards for faculty working in the cybersecurity field.
The computer science department emphasizes research that addresses contemporary societal problems, said department chairman Jaspal Subhlok, noting that cybersecurity is one of the nation鈥檚 biggest challenges.
鈥淐omputer science researchers, with expertise spanning cryptography, data analytics, biometrics, image processing and natural language processing, are collaborating to address the big challenge of cybersecurity,鈥� Subhlok said. 鈥淭hey are developing innovative solutions to detect intruders into critical infrastructures, prevent phishing attacks, fight bioterrorists and authenticate authorship of documents.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a scarier world today than it鈥檚 ever been, because hackers have figured out how to monetize cyber-crime,鈥� said Arthur Conklin, associate professor of Information and Logistics Technology and director of the Center for Information Security Research and Education.
The education programs covered by the designation also include a two-year, professional master鈥檚 degree program in information systems security, offered by the College of Technology. Ray Cline, chairman of the Information Logistics and Technology department, said the program has grown from eight students in 2007 to more than 50 now.
The master鈥檚 degree is in high demand from employers 鈥� 鈥淔or qualified personnel, it鈥檚 zero percent unemployment,鈥� Cline said 鈥� but completing it isn鈥檛 easy. Cline said that in addition to technical skills, the curriculum focuses on ethical standards required for the field. Students are required to sign a pledge every semester agreeing to the standards.
鈥淭hese programs offer Houston-area companies world-class opportunities in cybersecurity education,鈥� Conklin said. 鈥淥ur graduates go on to work in the security operations of some of the world鈥檚 largest consulting firms, banks, energy companies and software developers.鈥�
- Jeannie Kever, University Media Relations