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Cybersecurity Center

Ivy Tech Cybersecurity Center

Welcome to the Ivy Tech cybersecurity Center

As a result of meeting the rigorous requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ivy Tech Community College has earned the Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity designation in Cyber Defense education.

Institutions that have received this designation have made a commitment to fulfilling the mission of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by:

  • Establishing standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence,
  • Including competency development among students and faculty,
  • Valuing community outreach and leadership in professional development,
  • Integrating cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines,
  • Actively engaging in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

CAE-designated institutions must complete validation of a Program of Study, which is a series of courses and experiences that a student can reasonably accomplish in the course of attaining a degree or certificate.

Learn more about the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

program sponsors

NSA and Homeland Security Logos

Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Seal

Cybersecurity at Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech is proud to offer CAE-designated Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity/Information Assurance and Accelerated Associate of Applied Science at the Columbus Cyber Academy degrees. 

The College also offers non-CAE-designated options as well, including:

cybersecurity competitions

Midwest Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

National Collegiate Cyber League

U.S. Cyber Challenge

 

Cybersecurity Center Resources

  • Jobs

    Below are resources to locate job opportunities in cybersecurity.

    Internships

    Visit the Ivy+ Career Link website for information on internships that may be available.

    Apprenticeships

    Apprenticeships offer the unique opportunity for students to earn an income through an employer while earning a degree while reducing or eliminating college debt.

    • Individuals are encouraged to complete this interest form to learn about apprenticeship opportunities.
    • US Department of Labor IT/Cyber Apprenticeship program has an IT/Cyber Apprenticeship program for companies
  • Scholarships for Students Pursuing Cybersecurity

    See below for information about scholarship opportunities that may be available to students pursuing cybersecurity education.

    • SWSIS is a partnership of Applied Computer Security Associates (ACSA) and CRA-WP. Its long-term goal is to contribute to increasing the representation of women in the information security workforce. ACSA founded the SWSIS scholarship program in 2011 and joined forces with CRA-WP in 2014 to lead the selection process. As of 2018, SWSIS scholarships have been awarded to over 75 women studying information security.
    • The Center for Cyber Safety and Education (Center), formerly (ISC)² Foundation, is a non-profit charitable trust committed to making the cyber world a safer place for everyone. We work to ensure that people across the globe have a positive and safe experience online through our educational programs, scholarships, and research.
    • Women & Hi Tech may have scholarship opportunities available to interested students. 
    • Ivy Tech scholarships may be available to students based on need and merit. Those who are interested are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Joining a community of fellow professionals or students expand and reinforce your learning through new ideas and concepts. Below are resources for those who are interested in engaging in the cybersecurity community on a deeper level. 

    Indiana Organizations

    National Organizations

    • Women in Cybersecurity
    • National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies
    • National Cybersecurity Training & Education Center
    • The National Cyber League (NCL) was founded in 2011, the NCL provides a virtual training ground for collegiate students to develop and practice their cyber security skills using next generation simulated environments. It’s a year-round endeavor with regular seasonal events.
    • National Cyberwatch Center is a consortium of higher education institutions, businesses, and government agencies focused on collaborative efforts to advance Information Security education/research and strengthen the national cybersecurity workforce
    • NICE The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a partnership between government, academia, and the private sector focused on cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. The mission of NICE is to energize and promote a robust network and an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. NICE fulfills this mission by coordinating with government, academic, and industry partners to build on existing successful programs, facilitate change and innovation, and bring leadership and vision to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals helping to keep our Nation secure.
    • The Cyber Career Pathways Tool presents a new and interactive way to explore work roles within the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.
    • National Cybersecurity Framework – The Framework, which was created through collaboration between industry and government, consists of standards, guidelines, and practices to promote the protection of critical infrastructure. The prioritized, flexible, repeatable, and cost-effective approach of the Framework helps owners and operators of critical infrastructure to manage cybersecurity-related risk.
    • CSSIA – National Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance. The Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) National Resource Center. Since 2003, CSSIA has provided students with real-world learning experiences in information assurance and network security through several program improvement supportive initiatives.
    • ISSA National ISSA is the community of choice for international cybersecurity professionals dedicated to advancing individual growth, managing technology risk and protecting critical information and infrastructure.
    • IEEE Cybersecurity
    • CAE Community is a community of Universities and Community Colleges that have distinguished themselves as Centers of Academic Excellence to the DHS and NSA.
    • CAE2Y – Information about becoming a Center of Academic Excellence 2-Year (CAE2Y). A new reality and opportunity for community colleges. This institutional award is established by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CyberWatch. Community colleges that have established a robust information assurance (IA) program and have successfully mapped their security courses to two of the Committee on National Security Systems training standards.
    • Cyber Degrees EDU – A resource to learn about studying Cybersecurity, requirements and job growth careers guide.
  • Key Industry Associations & Certifications

    Those who are pursuing a career in cybersecurity are encouraged to learn more about and obtain industry accepted certifications to validate their knowledge and enhance their career opportunities.

    • CompTIA – The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. We are a vendor-neutral, independent source of information on a wide range of technology topics, including cybersecurity; education, training, and certification of the global tech workforce; new and emerging technologies; legislation and policies affecting the industry and workforce data, development, and trends.
    • EC-Council – The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, also known as EC-Council, is the world’s largest cyber security technical certification body. We operate in 145 countries globally and we are the owner and developer of the world-famous Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (C|HFI), Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), License Penetration Testing (Practical) programs, among others. We are proud to have trained and certified over 200,000 information security professionals globally that have influenced the cyber security mindset of countless organizations worldwide.
    • ISACA – ISACA has served our professional community for more than 50 years. The association was incorporated as the EDP Auditors Association in 1969 by a small group of individuals who recognized a need for a centralized source of information and guidance in the new field of electronic data processing audit. Today, ISACA serves 150,000 professionals in 188 countries, who span several roles in assurance, governance, risk, and information security. Today, information technology professionals in the fields of governance, control, risk, security, and audit/assurance drive strategy in their organizations, and ISACA facilitates the transformative change needed to compete as individuals and enterprises.
    • International Information System Security Certification (ISC)² – (ISC)² is an international, nonprofit membership association for information security leaders like you. We’re committed to helping our members learn, grow, and thrive. Nearly 280,000 members, associates, and candidates strong, we empower professionals who touch every aspect of information security. We can help you make an impact in your career and advance our industry through our globally recognized certifications, our vast networking and collaboration opportunities, and our professional development Institute and leadership tools. We’re also committed to educating the public through our support of The Center for Cyber Safety and Education.
    • Global Information Assurance Certification – GIAC develops and administers premier, professional information security certifications. More than 40 cybersecurity certifications align with SANS training and ensure mastery in critical, specialized infosec domains. GIAC certifications provide the highest and most rigorous assurance of cybersecurity knowledge and skill available to industry, government, and military clients around the world. Since our founding in 1999, GIAC’s mission has been to provide verification of critically needed cybersecurity skills to practitioners and employers, proving that professionals and prospective hires have the necessary knowledge and abilities to get the job done.
  • Monitoring Is Key

    Monitoring for vulnerabilities and making key audiences aware of such vulnerabilities is a critical part of the cybersecurity profession—and of course finding solutions to secure the vulnerabilities once they're identified.

    At Ivy Tech, we work to make our community aware of the vulnerabilities we face to set a strong example and give our students additional exposure to real-world situations.

    View CVE Vulnerabilities on Twitter

  • Below are resources for students who are interested in the field of cybersecurity.

    • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
    • Infraguard
    • National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
    • Krebs on Security

    • Ivy Tech Community College ranked 9th in the National Cyber League 2023 Spring Season and 7th at a National Level in the Cyber Power Rankings.
         
      Schools were ranked based on their top team performance, their top student's performance, and the aggregate individual performance of their students.
         
      We were represented by "TheHackStreetBoys@ Ivy Tech Community College MUTC" in the competition.
         
      Thank you to the leadership and support of our faculty member Joseph Bodden. Kudos to our students Connor Haeck, Breyson Hendren, Brandon Stewart, Stephen Ross, David London, John De la Cruz, Ian Nickum, and Casey Love for accomplishing such an incredible feat.

Cybersecurity center point of contact

Pam Schmelz, Department Chair, Information Technology
pschmelz@ivytech.edu
812-374-5214

Cybersecurity center faculty

Kenyatte V Simuel, Statewide Lead Chair for Cybersecurity
ksimuel@ivytech.edu
812-414-5517
   
Pam Schmelz, Department Chair, Information Technology
pschmelz@ivytech.edu
812-374-5214

advisory board members

  • Crystal Christy, Director of IS Security, Norton Healthcare
  • Randall Frietzsche, Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Denver Health
  • Tom Ganus, President, Midwest Computer Solutions Inc.

  • Walter Grudzinski, Director of Global Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
  • Bill Linder, Assistant Manager Information Technology Systems, Rightway Fasteners
  • Scott Mayes, Director of Information Technology, Bartholomew County

ACCELERATED IT TRAINING

Non-credit classes for adult students

Learn new skills and build your resume to qualify for a new or better job in the rapidly growing field of IT. Custom training can be developed for employers too!