Sen. Gillibrand Promotes Federal Cybersecurity Scholarship Program at UAlbany
By Mike Nolan
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 10, 2023) — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the University at Albany on Friday to promote federal cyber security scholarships that grant students from eligible institutions significant financial aid in return for public service.
UAlbany is one of 19 institutions in New York eligible for the existing DoD’s Cyber Scholarship Program, as well as the in-development Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, because of the University’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) by the National Security Agency. The designation recognizes institutions for significant contributions toward meeting the national demand for cyber defense research. UAlbany is in the process of applying for certification for its students to participate in both programs.
Gillibrand included funding in the 2023 federal budget to create scholarships for university students enrolled in cyber-related programs at institutions that have an NCAE-C designation. The scholarships cover expenses such as tuition, books, lab fees, and a stipend to cover room and board, in return for service in the Department of Defense post-graduation.
The number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide grew 350 percent between 2013 and 2021, from 1 million to 3.5 million, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The industry researcher predicts that the same number of jobs will remain open in 2025.
“There are nearly 40,000 unfilled public-sector cybersecurity positions, leaving our country with a severe shortage of cyber personnel needed to protect ourselves from adversaries like Russia,” Gillibrand said. “The Cyber Service Academy will create a pipeline for a talented, highly-trained cyber workforce, granting one year of free college for every year of subsequent public service. The University at Albany is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, and I encourage students to apply, earn free college and serve your country.”
“With more frequent and severe cyber attacks threatening the nation’s infrastructure, the urgency to strengthen the U.S. cybersecurity workforce has never been greater,” added UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “As one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation, UAlbany has innovative academic programs to recruit talented students interested in both cybersecurity and serving their country. The scholarships Sen. Gillibrand has fought for will provide critical financial support to ensure all students have equitable access to these important careers.”
Closing the Cyber Gap
UAlbany’s School of Business has been home to New York’s first four-year digital forensics program since 2013. The program, selected for the NCAE-C designation in 2018, prepares students to meet the information forensics and security needs of public and private companies across all sectors of the economy.
The University’s first-in-the-nation College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is also leading the way in meeting the demand for cyber professionals. Last year, CEHC launched a new standalone undergraduate program in cybersecurity.
In addition, the Graduate School at UAlbany offers a master’s degree program in digital forensics and cybersecurity, which includes a fully online option. The University’s newly established College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science.
“I would like to recognize and thank Sen. Gillibrand for her vision and leadership in this area,” said CEHC Dean Robert Griffin, who offered welcome remarks on Friday. “The additional financial support provided by these scholarships will drive talented students, who may have otherwise been unable to afford a college education, to pursue a degree in a related cyber field and subsequently put that degree to good use filling existing gaps in the federal cyber workforce.”
“With hundreds of thousands of unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the country today, and the demand for trained cybersecurity professionals growing rapidly, we need to establish reliable pipelines of talent into the cyber profession,” added School of Business Interim Dean Kevin Williams. “The Cyber Service Academy scholarship program that the senator has created will provide incentives for our students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and fill these critical jobs.”
The Cyber Service Academy Scholarship
Gillibrand created the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program through her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Successful applicants will serve in roles throughout the Department of Defense for a period equivalent to the length of their scholarship. Areas of study include cybersecurity, cyber operations, digital and multimedia forensics, computer crime investigations, and more.
Interested students should visit www.gillibrand.senate.gov/cyberacademy and click on the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program link to apply.
Friday’s press conference also included remarks from State Assemblymember Pat Fahy and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan about the importance of protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure at all levels of government.
Faculty from CEHC and the School of Business and students interested in cybersecurity careers also attended.
Photos: Patrick Dodson