University of Nevada Awarded $3M to Establish Scholarship Program for Cyber Defense

By beginning 2024 with a $3.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), UNLV is solidifying its position as a leading cybersecurity education provider and preparing the next generation of cyber defense experts.

Over the next five years, UNLV will establish a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, housed in the UNLV College of Engineering, to cultivate cybersecurity experts skilled in artificial intelligence and machine learning for service in federal and local government.

“Incorporating AI and machine learning into cybersecurity is vital as it allows us to proactively identify and combat complex cyber threats, thereby strengthening the protection of our nation’s critical digital infrastructure,” said Juyeon Jo, a project lead and computer science professor at UNLV. “This grant will empower us to educate students in these sophisticated fields, equipping them to bolster government sectors with cutting-edge cybersecurity defenses.”

The accolade is the most recent in a string of achievements for UNLV’s thriving cybersecurity program. The institution received three prizes in late 2023 to promote cybersecurity teaching and community programs, totaling over $3 million, from the National Security Agency, the Small Business Administration, and Google. These donations are intended to increase the work of UNLV’s Free Cyber Clinic, which Jo and computer science professor Yoohwan Kim co-led in 2021 to help small businesses in southern Nevada secure their cyber infrastructure.

In addition to the most recent NSF investment, UNLV has received over $6 million in funding in only six months to support its cybersecurity department, which is among the fastest-growing on campus.

“The NSF grant will significantly enhance our cybersecurity program, creating synergies with our existing initiatives, including the NSA’s GenCyber high school cybersecurity summer camp, the Department of Energy’s critical infrastructure cybersecurity using AI, and the Cyber Clinic for Small Businesses supported by the NSA, SBA, and Google.org,” said Jo. “This funding serves as a catalyst for comprehensive cybersecurity workforce development, bridging programs from high school to graduate training, and providing vital services like our cyber clinic for small businesses.”

One of just six programs nationwide to be approved in the most recent cycle, UNLV’s CyberCorps SFS program will draw and guide exceptional individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In order to strengthen the talent pipeline, it will also actively collaborate with nearby high schools and community colleges, with a focus on boosting the involvement of female and minority students in the cybersecurity field.

“It is critical that we unleash the enormous talent embedded in our communities and bring new, diverse perspectives into the nation’s cybersecurity workforce,” NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said in a statement. “NSF recognizes the persistent shortage of cybersecurity talent in the United States and strives to bridge this gap by providing diverse student populations with innovative and high-quality educational experiences. This investment reaffirms NSF’s commitment to developing a solid workforce of cybersecurity graduates with integrated AI skills, ready to tackle future cyber threats.”

In order to prepare graduates for an immediate effect in cybersecurity roles within federal or local government, the project will make use of UNLV’s current resources and experience. Stipends and full scholarships will be awarded to selected students. During their time at UNLV, they will also participate in a comprehensive cybersecurity and AI/ML training program that includes online courses, classroom instruction, and industry-recognized certifications. The goal of this program is to prepare selected students to identify, stop, and prevent cyberattacks using AI/ML techniques.

“AI and machine learning are getting more powerful and useful everyday,” said Kim. “By using them properly, we can develop better cybersecurity systems and protect our country more effectively from cyber attacks.”

Students will hone their practical skills by taking part in cyber competitions, attending conferences, finishing summer internships, and gaining practical experience through the Free Cyber Clinic, where they will work with local clients to reduce the risk of hacking, ransomware, phishing attacks, and other cybercrimes. Direct mentorship with committed research supervisors will enable independent research into urgent cybersecurity challenges.

“It’s a pivotal boost for UNLV’s cybersecurity program, enabling us to innovate and maintain our momentum in this rapidly evolving field,” said Jo.