Cybersecurity Analytic Center

Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. (Wikipedia)

Related career opportunity data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (see https://www.bls.gov/)

The cybersecurity concentration and the center programs will expose students to a broad set of cybersecurity principles, challenges and strategic technologies including secure IT architectures, software, networks, data analytics, AI and cloud services. 

The Cybersecurity Analytic Center offers the following programs: 

• Cybersecurity Concentration and Certificate
• Workshops, Projects and Competitions
• Cyber Lab services
• Scholarships, Internships and free resources
• Research Projects

See the Cybersecurity Program Page for more information.

The Cybersecurity Concentration is part of the Computer Information Systems major in the School of Business (See Cybersecurity Concentration).

1. Get on the CAC email distribution list.
2. Follow the CAC on Social media:  Instagram (@hu_cerc) & Linkedln (HUCERC)
3. Send questions to cerc@howard.edu.

The CAC will announce scholarship opportunities as they become available. Join the CAC email list and social media channels to receive announcements (Instagram and Linkedln).

The Cyber Lab is both a physical location and a virtual infrastructure that supports cybersecurity student learning.

The physical space (Rm426 School of Business) is a collaboration workspace used for hands-on classroom instruction, workshops and club meetings. The lab is equipped with furniture, AV, Wifi and special devices for student projects.

The virtual infrastructure includes cloud services, a research server, cyber range labs and a curated portfolio of online resources for students of all skill levels (e.g., picoCTF, CyberStart, TryHackMe, etc.).

First step, join the Cybersecurity center and the Cyber Club to connect with the HU cyber community  and to get access to free resources.

For independent learning, the Cybersecurity center recommends that students pursue free or low cost learning opportunities to build up their pre-requisite skills in data, networks, web, operating systems and cyber.

• Pre-security Learning Path (40 hrs easy; Tryhackme.com)
• Introduction to Cybersecurity (24hrs easy; Tryhackme.com)
• Absolute Beginner (60 hrs easy; TryHackme.com)
• Googl Cybersecurity Certificate (6 months; Coursera)

The cybersecurity concentration and center activities help students develop their critical thinking, analysis and hands-on skills in the following domain areas: 

1. Cyber Principles, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Attacks
2. Cryptography
3. IT Foundations  (Data, Operating Systems/Linux, Network, Software, Hardware)
4. Network/Web Traffic Analysis
5. Virtualization and Cloud
6. Programming and Scripting
7. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
8. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
9. Security Architectures and Operations 
10. Penetration Test (Scan, Enumerate, Password Crack, Exploit, etc)
11. Vulnerability Analysis & Incident Response
12. Forensics

Yes, the Cybersecurity Center will provide support for students to pursue research topics of interest.  See the Cybersecurity Center research page for more info.

In addition to cyber concentration courses, students may want to consider the following certificate courses based on their interests and resources: 

Cybersecurity

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Coursera – 6 months)
• ISC2  Certified in Cybersecurity (free)
•  

Data Analytics, Data Science & Machine Learning

• Google Data Analytics Certificate (Coursera – 6 months)
• Google Advanced Data Analytics (Coursera – 6 months)
• Nuts & Bolts of Machine Learning Course  (Coursera –  30 hrs)

Python and IT Infrastructures

• Getting Started with Python Course (Coursera – 30 hrs)
• Google IT Automation with Python Certificate (Coursera – 6 months)
   

Computer with Intel i3 or equivalent power plus 8 GB RAM and 500 GB storage (or more) 

* Note: Apple devices with M1 (silicon) chips do not support the free versions of virtualization software. Contact CERC@howard.com for information on getting a free licensed copy of VMWare.