UMass Lowell Expands Cybersecurity Training

01/17/2019

Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell is rolling out new options for training in cybersecurity starting this week. 

The university – a leader in information technology, security and criminal justice education and research – is introducing a new online program for information technology professionals who want to update their skills on the latest standards in cybersecurity on their own or for employers who want to ensure their workforce and operations are fully prepared to counter any threats. 

The program features a series of online courses that cover specific topics in cybersecurity, all focused around the newest government guidelines to protect small, medium and large operations. UMass Lowell’s online programs in information technology and criminal justice are in the top 10 in the nation, according to the new U.S. News & World Report rankings released this week.

UMass Lowell has been designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research in recognition of its cybersecurity research and academic programs. 

“This program is particularly timely given the heightened threats businesses and communities face from cyber criminals and terrorists. The university is excited to offer this cybersecurity training program online, where we can increase access to the program for business and technology professionals,” said Steven Tello, vice provost for innovation and workforce development. “These self-paced, online workshops leverage our expertise in information and security technology, along with 20-plus years of experience in developing and offering online programs to professionals from around the nation. 

The curriculum for the series was developed by Larry Wilson, an internationally recognized expert in the field of cybersecurity who has been named among the most influential people in the field. Wilson, former chief information security officer of the UMass President’s Office, developed, implemented and managed the University of Massachusetts Information Security Policy and other important cybersecurity measures, all based on the NCSF Controls Factory he created to operationalize the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. 

Those strengths come together in the new cybersecurity training program. The first workshop in the series, “NIST Framework Basics,” launched Monday. The four-hour, self-paced course consists of nine modules on key areas of cybersecurity using the NIST Framework. The next start dates are Mondays, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 11 and March 25. 

The next course, “NIST Cyber Factory,” which looks at best practices in designing and building a cybersecurity program, starts on Monday, Feb. 4 and will also be available on multiple dates. Also online and self-paced, the course takes approximately eight to 10 hours to complete.

“NIST Cyber Labs,” the third course in the series, launches on Monday, April 8 and features an advanced, self-paced online lab and exercise approach. 

These courses can be taken together or individually to customize training for individuals or groups. In addition to these offerings, more will be introduced in the months to come. 

Full details on all courses, including how to register, is available at https://gps.uml.edu/cybersecurity/. 

In addition to the online training option, UMass Lowell will host “Is Your Business Secure?”, a cybersecurity workshop for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m. at UMass Lowell’s Haverhill Campus, located at Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St. 

Speakers at the event are scheduled to include Wilson, tech entrepreneur Reinier Moquete of data science and cybersecurity group Advoqt and Bill Chase, a retired FBI agent who is now Sheehan, Schiavoni, Jutras and Magliocchetti Attorneys at Law, which specializes in cybersecurity compliance.

Details on the workshop, including registration, directions and parking, are available at https://gps.uml.edu/cybersecurity/haverhill-workshop.cfm.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu