In today’s ever-changing technological environment, cybersecurity has become critical to daily life. As a result, BYU received a grant in the amount of more than $3 million for scholarships to cybersecurity students.
The National Science Foundation gave BYU’s cybersecurity program a five-year, $3.7 million grant known as the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service, which recognizes students’ technical talent, moral purity, leadership, and second-language skills. This funding has only been given to six schools across the country.
Derek Hansen, an information technology and cybersecurity professor, stated that “many” federal agencies pushed BYU to apply for the award because they want more BYU students to work for their organizations. He stated that BYU is recognized in the cybersecurity business for graduating students with “high ethical standards, technical rigor, international experience, and overall maturity.”
The cybersecurity program is based under the university’s electrical and computer engineering department. BYU said that alumni of the program have worked for the National Security Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other military divisions.
“Some of the best cybersecurity professional development happens in government jobs because they are the only ones with legal authority, access to top-secret information, and specialized tools at their disposal,” said Hansen.
The money is intended to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity workforce while also improving students’ academic experiences.
“We think our program is one of the best in the nation and this grant will help us gain more recognition and visibility as one of the top destinations for cybersecurity talent,” Hansen said in a statement. “This new grant will pave the way for some of our brightest students to work in government jobs protecting our citizens’ data from those with malevolent intent.”
The scholarship covers tuition and provides a living stipend of $27,000 for undergraduates and $37,000 for graduate students. Recipients will also get $6,000 for books, certifications, and attendance at seminars providing specialized training and individualized introductions to government entities.
Students who earn the scholarship must complete summer internships with government organizations and work for a federal agency or research lab after graduation for at least the same number of years as they obtained the grant. Otherwise, they must reimburse the award money, according to the institution.
Professor Albert Tay, who helped win the award for BYU, stated that it will provide cybersecurity students “with greater and unparalleled opportunities for both academic and professional advancement.”
According to the statement, the National Security Agency has designated BYU as a “center of academic excellence in cyber defense” for nearly 12 years. Originally a concentration in the information technology major, the cybersecurity major was established in 2018 and has developed year after year.
Emmie Hall, a BYU cybersecurity student, said she is interested in applying for the scholarship because it will allow her to focus on her studies and participate in extracurricular activities.
“Working for the government is a solid career path where I’d get to explore a lot of different aspects of cybersecurity in a capacity that you can’t get anywhere else,” Hall said in a statement.
