The project s funding will be used for cybersecurity research and development for underrepresented undergraduates and early-career faculty members as well as the creation of cybersecurity education…

The University of North Texas (UNT) received a 5-year, $999,688 Cooperative Agreement award from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate's Scientific Leadership Awards (CFDA 97.062) program. The funding will support cybersecurity research and development, as well as the creation of educational pathways for underrepresented undergraduates, early-career faculty, and community college students. Specific efforts include summer research opportunities in areas such as cyber-ethics, privacy, blockchain, and machine learning, as well as the development of novel software tools and the design of modern cybersecurity courses and certificate programs. The project aims to enhance cybersecurity skills and establish a transfer pathway from community colleges to UNT's 4-year cybersecurity program.

The project s funding will be used for cybersecurity research and development for underrepresented undergraduates and early-career faculty members as well as the creation of cybersecurity education pathways for community colleges and certificate programs to enhance cybersecurity skills. The project will also provide summer research opportunities for undergraduates in areas such as cyber-ethics, privacy, trust and fraud investigation, blockchain, cyber datamining and machine learning, and web application and game development. Faculty, including early career junior members, will research cyber data analytics, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), malware analysis, software assurance, and mobility with critical cyberinfrastructures including energy, agriculture, and healthcare services. The research team will develop novel software tools with algorithms, prototypes, models, and maintenance. The team will also design modern cybersecurity courses and certificate program for all stem students in the department of information science. The research team will create a pathway for community college students to transfer to the four-year program at UNT – providing opportunities for RE-skilling or up-skilling towards cybersecurity careers after completing an associate degree at their community college.