SRU introduces Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing

Nitin Sukhija, Slippery Rock University assistant professor of computer science, discusses the cybersecurity program at the University’s council of trustees meeting in June. The program was later approved and part of its implementation is the creation of a Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing, an online resource that Sukhija is directing.

Oct. 17, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University's Computer Science Department, as part of its recently approved bachelor's degree program in cybersecurity, is introducing a Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing, to be known as "C2AC."

The C2AC is an online resource at sru.edu/c2ac that helps address cybersecurity and computing concerns through collaborative research and interdisciplinary academic efforts related to several topics, including distributed computing, network administration, cryptography, secure coding, malware behavior, security governance and more.

The Center includes news and events, links to program offerings and other University resources to connect students and faculty across the entire campus to opportunities for research and other collaborations.

"The goal is to have a dynamic center where people can talk about current and upcoming security and computing issues and access information that will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration," said Nitin Sukhija, assistant professor of computer science and director of the C2AC. "We're excited to make enhancements like this that will strengthen our new cybersecurity degree program and cybersecurity awareness on campus."

Sukhija said the C2AC will continue to add information and features in the coming months. The cybersecurity bachelor's degree program will start in fall 2019. The program will seek designation from the Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, which is a program sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to reduce vulnerability in national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise.

"The cybersecurity program at SRU continues to evolve in response to increased enrollment of the current concentration, increased demands of the workforce and the need to offer students comprehensive knowledge of security and technical skills required in the cybersecurity domain," Sukhija said. "The additional of the Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing continues this evolution."

For more information about the C2AC, contact Sukhija at: 724.738.2143 or nitin.sukhija@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu