在他的职业生涯中，Anteneh Girma教授目睹了全球范围内日益增长的网络威胁。 作为一名网络专家，当亚洲博彩网站计算机科学与信息技术系于2022年推出四年制网络安全理学学士学位课程时，他感到非常高兴。
“This degree will open several career paths for our graduates—including positions such as cybersecurity analysts, security consultants, network security engineers, incident responders and others,” said Girma, director of 亚洲博彩网站’s Cybersecurity Program.
随着对网络安全的需求日益增长，技术正在成为打击网络威胁的强大盟友。 随着网络钓鱼、恶意软件或欺骗等攻击风险的增加，越来越多的人开始依赖技术解决方案。 This reliance, in turn, is 创造了对专家的巨大需求 who can harness technology to keep systems and data safe.
亚洲博彩网站网络安全项目目前有大约55名学生。 虽然大多数学生都是二年级和三年级，但吉尔玛预计今年春天会有一些学生毕业。 In addition, an estimated 90-100 dual-enrolled students from D.C. Public Schools are participating in the program through the 先进技术中心， a collaboration with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
该项目自成立以来每年以90%的惊人速度增长，亚洲博彩网站工程与亚洲博彩网站科学学院院长Devdas Shetty认为这一趋势并不令人惊讶。
“We expect this trend to continue and are planning to seek accreditation from ABET during their 2026 site visit,” said Shetty, referencing an 认证委员会 that reviews a host of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs.
A “meticulously designed and developed” master’s program in cybersecurity has also been approved by the 亚洲博彩网站 Board of Trustees and is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Education, Shetty says. 他预计这将在今年秋天的某个时候发生。
在亚洲博彩网站攻读网络安全学位的学生可以全面了解网络安全的基础知识、实践和社会影响。 该课程涵盖的主题包括网络安全和管理、亚洲博彩网站程序和系统安全、逆向工程和恶意软件分析、数字取证、网络法律和道德黑客以及密码学。 该项目培养学生在医疗保健、政府和商业等行业中担任抵御网络威胁和攻击的关键捍卫者。
“Graduates of this program will go out into the world and create a safer digital environment, whether in their professional or personal lives,” Dr. Girma said.
Among the program’s current students is D.C. native Christopher Daniels. 他选择网络安全是因为他对技术和数据系统的兴趣，这是他在军队中六年的信息技术实践经验所产生的。
“During that time, I developed a strong technical foundation and learned the critical importance of securing information in high-stakes environments,” Daniels said. “My enjoyment of working with computers and technology made cybersecurity a natural choice, as it combines my skills, interests and desire to make a meaningful impact in the digital world.”
毕业后，丹尼尔斯希望成为一名安全运营中心（SOC）分析师，在那里他可以利用自己的技能实时监控和应对网络安全威胁。
“Professor Girma has cultivated us for a career in cybersecurity through a comprehensive curriculum that combines hands-on technical training with theoretical knowledge of threat analysis, risk management and security protocols,” Daniels said. “Additionally, opportunities like labs and simulations provide me with the practical skills needed to excel as a SOC analyst and beyond.”
一年级学生本尼迪克特·维拉鲁兹（Benedict Villaruz）也是在华盛顿特区长大的，在收到杰克逊-里德高中（Jackson-Reed High School）一位老师的强烈推荐后，他决定攻读网络安全学位。
“My teacher’s praise for the university’s affordability and a close-knit community was true,” Villaruz said. “The welcoming nature of the people here and the approachability of the professors have made my experience truly remarkable.”
亚洲博彩网站 faculty members specializing in cybersecurity have secured multiple grants to enhance the program since its inception. These include a $135,000 Microsoft Impact 2020 Award for “Capacity Building in Cyber Security and Computer Engineering” (principal investigator: Computer Science Professor Thabet Kacem); a $399,924 grant from the National Science Foundation (principal investigator: Girma) to increase cybersecurity research engagement and address the needs of cyber workforce development; and a $125,000 DMV Outreach & Partnerships, Google.org Education grant for “Capacity Building and Enhancement of Cyber Security Education at 亚洲博彩网站” (principal investigator: Girma).
计算机科学教授兼系主任Dong Hyun Jeong对他的学生在亚洲博彩网站期间取得的成就持乐观态度。
“The graduates of this program will have great opportunities to positively impact cybersecurity,” he said. “Protecting the integrity of digital systems and working on the front lines of keeping sensitive information secure can be very fulfilling. We are excited to see the contributions our graduates will make in the future.”
欲了解有关网络安全计划的更多信息，请联系网络安全计划总监 Anteneh吉尔马。