Center for Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development

Building South Carolina's Next Generation of Cyber Defenders

The Center for Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development brings together community outreach, real hands-on exercises, student research and workforce preparation. We work with our community and partners to guide students from their first exposure to cybersecurity to career-ready graduate.

About the Center

The CCEWD is part of Lander's Department of Applied Computing and brings together faculty, students, alumni, and industry and government partners to strengthen cybersecurity education and prepare graduates for the workforce.

Mission: To promote excellence in cybersecurity education, support student success through experiential learning, strengthen academic, industry, and government partnerships, and serve the community through outreach and awareness.

What We Do

• Community outreach: hands-on cybersecurity outreach that introduces local students and educators to the field.
• Real practice: cybersecurity majors get real hands-on exercises in network defense, penetration testing, and incident response.
• Career pathway: a BS in Cybersecurity that prepares graduates for real cybersecurity work roles.
• Workforce development: students and graduates connect with employers, internships, and jobs through the Center, our Advisory Board, and Lander’s Workforce and Career Development team.

Programs and Resources

Lander’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity prepares students for success in this high-demand field through a balanced foundation in both technical and non-technical areas. Offered both in-person and online, the program provides flexible pathways for traditional and non-traditional students. We offer two concentrations:

• Computer Information Systems - this concentration focuses on the technical application of cybersecurity. This path is perfect for students who want to build, defend, and investigate systems and networks.
• Political Science - this concentration emphasizes the legal, policy and regulatory dimensions of cybersecurity. This path is tailored for students interested in cyber law, policy, risk, and governance.

Programs Goals

By graduation, students in our cybersecurity program will meet these six goals:

• Goal 1 - Cybersecurity Fundamentals & Principles: Students will demonstrate an understanding of fundamental cybersecurity concepts, principles, and computing components.
• Goal 2 - Networking, Systems & Programming: Students will demonstrate the ability to design networks, administer operating systems, and write secure scripts/programs.
• Goal 3 - Cyber Defense & Digital Forensics: Students will demonstrate the ability to defend networks and conduct digital forensic investigations.
• Goal 4 - Cryptography: Students will demonstrate an understanding of cryptographic techniques used to protect information systems.
• Goal 5 - Cyber Law, Risk, Policy & Ethics: Students will demonstrate an understanding of cyber defense law, risk management, and ethical decision-making.
• Goal 6 - Applied Research & Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to complete self-directed research and communicate results to technical and non-technical audiences.

Cybersecurity Awareness Resources

The Center for Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development encourages members of the Lander University community and the public to take an active role in protecting themselves online. The following government and nonprofit resources provide authoritative guidance on recognizing scams, safeguarding personal information, and reporting cybercrime.

Government Resources

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Secure Our World: guidance on strong passwords, phishing, software updates, and multi-factor authentication. https://www.cisa.gov/
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Consumer Advice: current scam alerts and guidance on reporting fraud. https://consumer.ftc.gov/
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): reporting of internet crime and current scam warnings. https://www.ic3.gov/
• National Security Agency (NSA), Cybersecurity: guidance, advisories, and best practices for protecting systems and information, including mobile device and home network security. https://www.nsa.gov/Cybersecurity/

Nonprofit Resources

• Stay Safe Online (National Cybersecurity Alliance): practical guidance for individuals and organizations, including Cybersecurity Awareness Month materials. https://staysafeonline.org/
• Center for Internet Security (CIS): free cybersecurity tools, guides, and best practices. https://www.cisecurity.org/

Leadership and Advisory Board

Farha Ali
CCEWD Director
Department Chair, Applied Computing
864-388-8330  |  fali@lander.edu  |  Laura Lander Hall LL304

Computer Information Systems Faculty

N.M. Istiak Chowdhury

Bahar Uddin Mahmud

Biplab Poudel

Jiblal Upadhya

Our Advisory Board is made up of leaders who are close to Lander and to the communities we serve. They advise us on curriculum, industry trends, and student placement.