Cybersecurity at Capitol: what’s new in 2016

A decade and a half ago, a small college in Laurel, MD launched one of the nation’s first programs in cybersecurity. That college is now Capitol Technology University, and cyber continues to be one of its flagship disciplines, attracting students at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.

As the program gets ready to mark its 15^th anniversary this October, we asked chairperson Bill Butler for his thoughts on how the field – and Capitol’s program – is evolving.

What key developments are shaping cyber at Capitol?

There are three main trends that impact our program. One is cloud computing. We’re creating new courses tailored to this area, including one on virtualized infrastructure. A second big trend is the Internet of Things (IoT). Everybody’s talking about the IoT now and asking how it will affect us from a cybersecurity perspective. And the answer right now is that we don’t know. What we do know is that everything from your FitBit to your refrigerator is becoming a thing on the Internet, capturing data and reporting it to a database. What we, as educators, have to do is figure out how to understand these devices and their vulnerabilities, and understand how to protect them. They are very limited in their ability to protect themselves and the data that they capture. It’s a challenge and we are addressing that in our curriculum.

The third trend is the growth of Wireless 4G wireless networks. These are the wireless networks that your cell phone relies upon for connectivity. Until recently, manufacturers, app developers and consumers paid relatively little attention to security issues. That’s changing. Smart phones are, in effect, computers that fit in the palm of your hand. Like any other computer, they can be hacked. Malicious adversaries know this. There are devices out there that can capture your cell phone number and location, or compromise your cell phone in innumerable ways. Here, too, we are revamping parts of our curriculum to address this rapidly emerging threat.

This is a special year for the cybersecurity program. Will there be any activities to mark the occasion?

This is the fifteenth year of cybersecurity program here at Capitol. We were one of the first in the nation to recognize cybersecurity as a discipline, with a separate degree from computer science. In commemoration of the anniversary – which takes place in October -- we plan to bring back the founders of the program and recognize them for being so forward-thinking. Prior to October, we’ll have other events and activities as well. Cybersecurity has been the most successful degree program at Capitol over the past 20 years; our goal is to continue growing it and evolving it in response to the threats that are out there.

Fifteen years ago, we offered one of the only cybersecurity programs in the nation. Since then, the field has burgeoned and prospective students now have many options to choose from. How do we maintain our edge?

We’re different from our competitors. Our program is extremely practical and hands-on. Students who attend other programs may come out with a wealth of knowledge about cybersecurity, yet freeze up when confronted with real-world scenarios. Graduates of Capitol’s programs are ready to enter the real-world environment from day one because they’ve been trained for that from Day One.

This is a field where being able to do the job in crunch situations counts more than theoretical knowledge or the name-brand recognition of the school you went to. Employers in the field, whether public or private sector, are familiar with the caliber of Capitol graduates and that makes for a competitive edge for our students during the hiring process. Our strongest recruitment tool continues to be word of mouth. Alumni do amazing things at their work places and naturally everyone wants to know where they went to school.

At the master’s and doctoral levels, we offer online learning – again, with a difference. Our online platforms are live and synchronous. The class doesn’t consist simply of recorded lectures, slides and discussion threads, as is the case with some other schools. Our online classes are held in real time, the professor is there with you, live, and students have the opportunity to interact and ask questions. Our virtual labs, meanwhile, are distinguished by their practical and hands-on nature. Our programs are designed to be game changers, both for newcomers seeking entry to the field as well as experienced cybersecurity professionals looking to expand their career horizons.