UAlbany, Center for Internet Security Collaboration Prepares Students for Cybersecurity Careers
By Mike Nolan
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 28, 2025) — The University at Albany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is teaming up with a local industry leader to prepare the next generation of cyber defenders.
Over the last two years, CEHC and the Center for Internet Security, an East Greenbush–based nonprofit that helps organizations protect themselves from cyber threats, have collaborated to bring real-world expertise directly into the classroom.
Through the collaboration, Center for Internet Security professionals are teaching cybersecurity courses at UAlbany, sharing their insights and the skills needed to defend against today’s increasingly complex digital threats.
"We are lucky to have the Center for Internet Security right here in our backyard,” said Ariel Pinto, professor and chair of CEHC’s Cybersecurity Department. “Knowing how much they have to offer, we started to talk about how to bring their knowledge and expertise to campus. We felt the best way to do that was to have them connect directly with students in the classroom.”
Bringing Industry into the Classroom
Chief Information Security Officer Sean Atkinson is one of the two Center for Internet Security employees teaching at UAlbany this semester.
Atkinson’s courses, open to both undergraduate and graduate students, are focused on designing and implementing strategies and technologies to detect and mitigate security risks and vulnerabilities in computer and networked systems.
His courses challenge students to find, analyze, and discuss real-world cases related to network security.
"My classes have materials and a structured approach, but there are always break off conversations,” Atkinson said. “I try to challenge the class to think more critically versus just using technology to fight cyber threats. What are the implications, overhead, operational costs? What will it take to monitor these things? I want them to really start to think of the practical implementation of being a cybersecurity professional.”
Atkinson says teaching these courses help students get career ready. It also makes them aware of the cyber tools offered by the Center for Internet Security.
"This is a passion of mine. It's not something I have to do, but it's something I want to do,” said Atkinson, who has been teaching locally for more than a decade. “It really fulfills something in me to work with the students, providing my own experiences and making them aware of the products and the services we offer that can help them in their careers.”
Jason Ashong, a recent alum and now master’s student in CEHC’s cybersecurity and risk program, was in Atkinson’s class as an undergraduate. He is taking another course with Atkinson this semester.
Ashong was hired by the Center for Internet Security in May as an IT support specialist.
“Sean’s class taught me about how different cybersecurity frameworks and technologies are utilized in the real world,” said Ashong. “The experience was invaluable and has led me to start my career with his company while finishing my graduate degree.”
Preparing Future Cyber Leaders
Pinto says the cybersecurity department plans to continue to grow its relationship with the Center for Internet Security, along with other local organizations.
TIAA, a private provider of financial retirement services, leads a capstone course at CEHC that explores how financial services institutions can best protect sensitive data. The Electrical Power Research Institute, a non-profit energy research and development organization, shares learning materials for a cybersecurity research course available to sophomores and juniors.
Faction Networks, a cybersecurity start-up based in Troy, announced this week that it is also collaborating with CEHC on cybersecurity testing and verification, research and development of new models for cyber insurance, and talent development and recruiting.
"The long-term vision for us is to inject materials and content from industry leaders into the classroom, even in the courses being taught by our faculty,” Pinto said. “It’s all about giving students real-world experience and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to be successful.”
CEHC was recently designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Defense.
To receive the designation, institutions must be certified for excellence in cybersecurity education and graduate students who can meet the increasing demands of the U.S. government’s cybersecurity workforce.
The designation was awarded to CEHC’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program for the next five academic years.