DSU to start cyber training center, add more investment

From staff reports

Dakota State University has received a three-year grant of $480,000 to help start a cyber training center — and that’s looking like just the start of new investments for the Madison university.

It’s promoting a significant announcement this weekend as it opens the Beacom Institute of Technology, the first new academic building on campus in 30 years.

“The announcement will unveil a plan that will firmly position Dakota State University at the forefront of the national stage in regard to cybersecurity,” the school said in a statement.

Building namesake and Premier Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom, along with company owner Denny Sanford, are scheduled to be at the Aug. 20 event.

The grant, which is through the National Science Foundation, was submitted by professors Wayne Pauli and Yong Wang, who saw the challenges presented by a skill set gap with certain members of the cybersecurity workforce, individuals such as professors, post-doctoral students and researchers.

Professors Wayne Pauli and Yong Wang

The new training center will help by providing a scalable, online training program designed to resolve the cybersecurity skills gap while working to secure the national defense.

The three-year award begins Sept. 1.

“The special thing about this project,” Wang said, “is that it focuses on advanced scientific cyber infrastructure. This will benefit researchers or faculty working in academia by helping them increase their cybersecurity skills and develop their expertise in these areas.”

Specific training materials will include a variety of cybersecurity topics such as compliance or identity management. It will be free to participants.

The center will use Amazon Web Service to established a hands-on lab.

“Just think of the impact we can have online from a virtual standpoint,” Pauli said. “We’re going to positively impact the whole cybersecurity industry and give people an opportunity to learn.”

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DSU to start cyber training center, add more investment

Dakota State University has received a three-year grant of $480,000 to help start a cyber training center — and that’s looking like just the start of new investments for the Madison university.

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