The Center for Security Studies at University of Maryland Global Campus provides educational resources, networking, and career training opportunities for students pursuing security studies—and works with industry and government to meet the cybersecurity and homeland security needs of our nation. Members of CSS include distinguished faculty members, chairs, program directors, academic directors, and other experts. They participate in national-level efforts to educate leaders and make significant progress in the information assurance and homeland security fields by
- Conducting applied research
- Providing advisory and consulting services
- Assembling and delivering specialized courses
- Developing innovative teaching tools such as remote access laboratories, network testbeds, interactive learning objects, and simulations
- Hosting conferences, colloquia, workshops, and webcasts on the cutting edge of cybersecurity and homeland security topics
- Partnering with industry and government to develop new programs and deliveries in the areas of information assurance and homeland security
- Establishing and administering scholarships and fellowships supported by individuals and public and private-sector organizations
About the Center
The Center for Security Studies is designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Education for the MS in cybersecurity technology.
For 2021, UMGC is validating the MS in cybersecurity management and policy program by submitting elements to the NSA and DHS pertaining to the academic program of study, including curriculum, student-related information, faculty profiles and qualifications, continuous improvement information, and NICE Framework crosswalk alignment.
For more information, please contact Dr. Loyce Best Pailen, UMGC's CAE point-of-contact, at css@umgc.edu.
What We Offer
Learn about the Center for Security Studies faculty, staff, events, programs, and more.
Cybersecurity Designations
UMGC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the DC3 Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance.
Helpful UMGC Cybersecurity Information
The Center for Security Studies holds conferences and events and collects information for cybersecurity scholarship programs. Periodically, we will post this information to the website. Be sure to check back for updates.
Eligible cybersecurity students are encouraged to apply to the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s 2024-2025 Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program.
This initiative supports students who are pursuing an education in programs that have been identified by the Secretary of Higher Education as being directly relevant to cybersecurity. The application deadline is July 15, 2024.
To view the full list of eligibility requirements and begin your application, visit the MHEC website.
The National Security Agency (NSA) will host the third annual Future Computing Summer Internship opportunity from June 10, 2024 to August 9, 2024 at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences in Catonsville, Maryland.
The Advanced Computing Systems Research Program (ACS) in the NSA Research Directorate has joined their counterparts in the High-Performance Computing Solutions (HPCS) and Operations (OPS) organizations to provide a select number of undergraduate students with this exciting nine-week internship opportunity.
During this internship, students will:
- Receive an $800 weekly stipend in addition to travel, lodging and meals
- Perform hands-on technical work on NSA future computing projects
- Work in small groups under NSA technical experts’ mentorship
- Partner with peers from other academic institutions
- Learn about the NSA, its mission, people, career opportunities and more
This internship experience is ideal for students who will be completing their junior year (Spring 2025 graduates), and is well-suited for students in math, computer science, computer engineering, or related STEM fields. Students graduating later than Spring 2025 are also welcome to apply.
Applications are open from October 30, 2023 to January 3, 2024. Please inform your students about this internship opportunity. Additional details can be found here.
Please note: Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Eligible cybersecurity students are encouraged to apply to the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative. Gain valuable work experience in both the public and private sectors and kickstart your career as a cybersecurity leader. The last application deadline was November 8, 2023, but you are encouraged to check back frequently for news of the next application cycle.
The U.S. Department of Defense's Cyber Service Academy scholarship program offers eligible cybersecurity students an opportunity to earn a full scholarship. The next application deadline is February 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Read about the three winners of the 2020–2021 scholarship—Olubusayo Ladelokum, Jalynn Middleton, and Michael Tillini—whose work focuses on the intersection of digital technology and cybersecurity.
Each October, UMGC and CSS celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which raises awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our nation and ensures that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.
UMGC and CSS recognize this month in conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). We are proud to support this essential online safety, awareness, and education initiative and will continue to engage you monthly with relevant cybersecurity awareness and cybersecurity career topics.
UMGC's Center for Security Studies, in collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education, recently hosted a webinar for Maryland school counselors regarding cybersecurity careers. The webinar, "Cybersecurity Careers for Everyone," was an informative look at the many employment opportunities that a cybersecurity degree can provide to students.
The guests included Mark Loepker, Education Program Manager at the Cyber Center for Education & Innovation, and Jeffrey Smith, Targeted Populations Grant Program Manager at the Maryland Department of Labor.
View a recording of the webinar or access a .pdf version of the presentation.
If you are an ISC(2) National Capital Region member, you may be eligible for two scholarship opportunities offered by the organization.
UMGC now offers NETLAB+, a remote-access learning platform for hands-on experience in virtual network environments. This platform features professional development tools for cybersecurity teachers, faculty and curriculum developers.