Sen. Cory Gardner recently met with College of Business representatives to discuss the Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program and key cybersecurity initiatives at UCCS.
Gardner initiated the meeting to learn more about UCCS cyber programs and research and to identify ways that his office could support these initiatives to help position Colorado Springs as a leader in cyber policy.
“I think when we look at our city, where we are, and the unique opportunities between defense contractors and business, we can be the national epicenter for cybersecurity policy initiatives,” said Gurvirender Tejay, Ph.D. and associate professor of information systems, in discussing the potential of cybersecurity in Colorado Springs with Gardner.
A strong proponent of cybersecurity policy, Gardner is the co-founder of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. He is also a member of the bipartisan Internet of Things Working Group within the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The meeting attendees shared opportunities for collaboration between Senator Gardner’s office and UCCS. Gardner expressed interest in hosting cyber policy hearings at UCCS to provide additional visibility to cybersecurity programs and initiatives in Colorado. Additionally, Gardner and his staff provided contacts and recommendations to support the development of C-CAP over the next four years.
“We are very excited to have support for the C-CAP program not only from the Department of Labor, but also from Senator Gardner,” said Robert Block, Ph.D. and associate dean of the College of Business. “His inputs will help us refine our program and deliver a key cybersecurity skill development apprenticeship program for not only the state of Colorado, but nationwide.”
The meeting attendees included Gardner; Block; Tejay; Karen Markel, Ph.D. and dean of the College of Business; Bridget Guerrero, program director for the Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program; Jennifer Furda, director of partnerships and governmental affairs at UCCS; Heba Abdelaat, military legislative assistant for the U.S. Senate; and Andy Merritt, state director for Gardner.
The UCCS College of Business continues to be a leading institution for cybersecurity education and training. Earlier this year, the college was awarded nearly $6 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to fund the Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program, or C-CAP, to train workers for mid-level and advance-level cybersecurity roles. They also received $3.35 million from the U.S. National Security Agency to serve as a strategic partner for a consortium of educational institutions to educate, train and develop 1,500 faculty in cybersecurity. The College of Business recently launched undergraduate and graduate degree emphases and certificate programs in cybersecurity management. In fall 2021, it will launch an executive doctor of business administration in cybersecurity management to develop scholar-practitioners who will be skilled in practice-focused research in cybersecurity at corporate levels. To learn more about cybersecurity education and training in the College of Business, please visit business.uccs.edu/cybersecurity.
About the UCCS College of Business
The College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. Learn more about the College of Business at UCCS.
About Cybersecurity at UCCS
UCCS is a recognized cybersecurity education leader in the region, awarding hundreds of degrees each year in cybersecurity fields at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. UCCS cybersecurity programs train security professionals who work to ensure the nation’s security, support faculty research and strategic cybersecurity partnerships with industry, government, military and academic institutions, including the U.S. Space Force and the National Cybersecurity Center. Due to generous Colorado state funding of cybersecurity education, UCCS students are eligible for significant financial aid towards security degree scholarships. Learn more about Cybersecurity Programs at UCCS.