New program, lab prepares students for cybersecurity careers

As data security becomes increasingly important to organizations worldwide, students at Grand Valley State University now have the opportunity to further their education in this growing field. 

A concentration in cybersecurity has been added to the computing and information systems master's degree program; classes will begin in fall 2017. New graduate and undergraduate courses will cover topics such as software engineering, privacy, systems security, and digital forensics and investigations.  

The new concentration may provide students security of their own — job security.

"Locally and nationally, there is a tremendous need for cybersecurity professionals," said Paul Plotkowski, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. "Our industry partners tell us these professionals need to be strong both theoretically and practically, and it is our hope that the graduates from this program will make an immediate impact on the operations of their future employers." 

A new lab that provides hands-on data security experience will complement the concentration and new courses. The Network and Security Lab, located in Mackinac Hall on the Allendale Campus, will allow students to simulate fake cyber attacks and learn how to defend against them. 

Paul Leidig, director of the School of Computing and Information Systems, said a focus on data security is needed now more than ever. 

"The more reliant on technology and computing we become, the more protection we'll need from viruses, hackers and other threats," Leidig said. "Students have expressed an interest in learning more about cybersecurity, so the lab and concentration in the master's program will provide the opportunity for them to enhance their skills in this area."

A group of professors helped design and organize the new space: Mostafa El-Said, associate professor and chair of information systems; Vijay Bhuse, assistant professor of computing and information systems; and Andrew Kalafut, associate professor of computing and information systems. 

Kalafut said the lab will provide students with critical insights into the minds of cyber attackers. 

"In order to know how to successfully defend against a hacker or virus, students must also learn how to attack a system. Students need to see both sides," he said.