About Center

Against ever evolving cyber-threats the need to graduate students skilled in the concepts and technologies of cyber security is becoming a critical responsibility of academic institutions in order to help preserve the sovereignty of the US and her allies. It is crucial that more undergraduate majors receive education and training that deepens their conceptual and practical understanding of issues in cyber security. In addition to educating computer professionals, undergraduate students of all disciplines should have the opportunity to be exposed to issues regarding computer security.

South Carolina State University’s Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity (CECS) aims to address this problem of the lack of awareness and participation in Cyber Security using a Multi-Tier Approach to Cyber Security Education, Training, and Awareness in the Undergraduate Curriculum (CSETA). South Carolina State University’s Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity located in the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics serves as the focal point for all cybersecurity academic activities.

The center point of contact is Dr. Nikunja Swain and may be reached at (803) 536-8675 or swain@scsu.edu.

Dr. Nikunja SwainDr. Nikunja Swain
Director of the Center

The vision of CECS is to create a successful model of institution wide reform of undergraduate Cybersecurity education and this reform will be based on our prior experience with the introduction of innovative teaching modules in a number of science, mathematics, and engineering Technology courses, faculty student seminar series, working in teams, use of simulation and K-12 student competitions. Our vision can be  summarized as follows:

  1. Assembling a diverse team of leaders from academia, business, industry, and professional organizations with experience and expertise in various aspects of Cybersecurity education to serve on an Advisory Board.
  2. Increase Cybersecurity capacity using a multi-tier approach.
  3. Leveraging interest in computing in the K-12 level through outreach activities.

The goals of this center are as follows:

  1. To assemble a diverse team of leaders from academia, business, industry, and professional organizations with experience and expertise in various aspects of Cybersecurity education.
  2. To enhance capacity for Cybersecurity education by introducing a Cybersecurity minor for all undergraduate majors at SC State University and other participating institutions.
  3. To enhance faculty capacity through faculty development workshops for selected faculty members at SC State including external grant funding opportunities.
  4. To increase awareness in Cybersecurity opportunities in the K-12 grade levels through outreach activities.
  5. To create external and internal teams for assessment and continuous improvement.

Upon completion of the CS in Cybersecurity program, graduates will have the ability to:

  • Discuss in depth the origins, nature, and current issues in cybersecurity and its related
    activities using precise terminology
  • Apply a range of cybersecurity concepts to mitigate risks in cybersecurity operations
  • Develop solutions for networking and security problems, balancing business concerns, technical issues and security.
  • Effectively communicate technical information verbally, in writing, and in presentations.
  • Use appropriate resources to stay abreast of the latest industry tools and techniques analyzing the impact on existing systems and applying to future situations.
  • Explain the concepts of confidentiality, availability and integrity in Information Assurance, including physical, software, devices, policies and people. Analyze these factors in an existing system and design implementations.