MADISON, S.D. (KELO) — President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce. Dakota State University offers areas of cyber science for students to study.
Campus isn’t too busy at Dakota State University Monday. The semester ended on Friday. But within a few short months, students will be busy once again with classes, especially at the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences.
“In the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, we have over 1,200 students in our cyber science programs, so that’s computer science, cyber operations, and network security. And every year between 12 percent and 15 percent, we see an increase in students coming into those programs,” associate Dean of Beacom College, associate professor of digital forensics, Ashley Podhradsky said.
Dick Hanson is the Dean of the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences and says the executive order is good news.
“First, the fact that the president issued an order around cybersecurity is really good; that needs to happen. Secondly, the order calls for several specific things, and one that is very good is the adoption of NICE standards for cybersecurity education,” Hanson said.
Hanson says it shows that the president is bringing this topic to the attention of the nation.
“We’re reinforcing the need for cybersecurity education; that’s a very important thing and it’s getting more important everyday so I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Hanson said.
According to President Trump, there are more than 300,000 cybersecurity job vacancies in the workforce.
“Our university and other universities across the country have to increase the students in their cybersecurity programs and strengthen their programs,” Podhradsky said.
Hanson says Dakota State University has undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels of programs offered in cybersecurity.
Review the Executive Order online
