| National
Science Foundation Funds New Cyber Security Curriculum; MATC Participates
with 7 Midwest Colleges in $3 Million Award
The National Science Foundation has awarded Madison Area Technical (MATC)
a 4-year grant to develop new curriculum and offer classes in cyber security
to help develop and educate information technology security professionals.
MATC represents Wisconsin as one of seven colleges in a five-state region
(Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin) participating in this
$3 million grant, which will create the first comprehensive information
technology security center in the Midwest.
MATC will serve as a cyber
security training center for its district residents, as well as high school
and college teachers throughout Wisconsin, as a partner in the new Center
for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA). Moraine Valley
Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois, is the lead institution on
the grant, which includes the following additional partners: Inver Hills
Community College (Minnesota), Lakeland Community College (Ohio), Rock
Valley College (Illinois), University of Illinois at Springfield (Illinois),
and Washtenaw Community College (Michigan).
MATC will receive about $210,000
to develop and offer classes as part of a new 16-credit CIS-Information
Security Certificate that will be launched fall semester 2004. The certificate’s
six courses are designed to be completed in three semesters and will provide
comprehensive instruction to networking students and professionals who
want to expand their skills in computer security. The certificate will
provide hands-on training in designing, planning and executing a vulnerability
assessment on a computer network. Coursework will cover topics such as
IT security awareness, data confidentiality, network security and legal
and ethical issues associated with computer systems security.
“With the increasing
proliferation of viruses, spyware, worms and hacker intrusions, organizations
today have a need like never before to ensure top-notch security skills
among their IT professionals,” states Kenneth McCullough, MATC’s
Computer Information Systems
department lead instructor. “Unfortunately, many organizations recognized
this need only after experiencing security issues that resulted in lost
productivity or compromised data. We foresee
excellent career growth for individuals who specialize in computer systems
security and our new certificate will help local IT professionals and
employers meet this emerging need.”
The salaries for IT security
professionals range from $38,000 to $145,000, depending upon qualifications
and experience. To be admitted into MATC’s new CIS-Information Security
Certificate individuals must be in at least the second year of MATC’s
CIS-Network Specialist Program, have earned a CCNA (Ciscso Certified Network
Associate) or have at least two year of practical experience in the networking
field. The certificate prepares students for one of the Certified Information
System Security Professional (CISSP) certification exams, two of the CISCO
Certified Security Professional (CCSP) exams, and the Security + Certification.
The total cost of the new certificate is estimated at $1,500 for tuition,
fees and books.
MATC’s Computer Information
Systems (CIS) Department is recognized as a leading provider of training
opportunities for upgrading the skills of current IT professionals. In
addition to certificates and training for professionals in the field,
MATC offers four associate degree programs designed for entrance into
the field. More information about MATC’s CIS offerings, including
the new CIS-Information Security Certificate, is available by calling
(608) 246-6003.
MATC is a national leader among
2-year colleges for receiving NSF grants. The NSF grant for CyberSecurity
marks the first time the college has been funded to develop a computer
information technology initiative. MATC has received a total of $4.3 million
in NSF awards over the past nine years to enhance MATC programs, scholarships
and/or develop awareness for science and technology education among middle
and high school students and educators in areas such as electron microscopy,
biotechnology, metrology, renewable energy and engineering.
MATC is one of the largest
of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges. It provides
a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult
basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as
customized employee training. MATC provides training in more than 100
career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas and
certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college offers instruction
through five campuses and various other locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
August 11, 2003
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