Leveraging plymouth states programs in computer science, criminal justice, and psychology, plymouth is planning to develop a cybersecurity program

This $1,000,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Congressionally-Identified Projects program (CFDA 11.617) will enable Plymouth State University to develop a new cybersecurity program. The funding will be used to establish a cyber range, create two new teaching spaces with equipment and software, develop the curriculum based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and hire a full-time cybersecurity professor and adjunct instructors. The goal is to produce highly skilled cybersecurity practitioners who can contribute to the growth of the field and the regional economy in New England. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

Activities

Specific areas of investment for which requested funding would be applied are:curriculum development on the nice framework and program development researchbuild a cyber rangefund two new teaching spaces that will include computers, network components and furniture, software licensing and cloud provisioning.market programfunding to support the first three years of instructors. A cybersecurity practitioner will be hired full-time as a professor of practice and will oversee the content of the program. In addition, a number of adjunct professors will be hired.

Expected outcomes

Plymouth state graduates will have hands-on experience through the planned NIST-specified cyber range and will provide new hampshire and new england with an employee base skilled in this highly desired field? Ultimately creating additional business opportunities for the region.

Intended beneficiaries

The cybersecurity program will generate highly skilled practitioners who have earning potential and will contribute to the growth of the field, along with the local and regional new england economies. NIST will benefit from greater awareness and adoption of the NIST cybersecurity frameworksubrecipient activities: the applicant intends to supplement their staff via contractor services, as needed.