Alabama A&M one of 15 HBCUs to participate in cybersecurity education initiative

279439797 10158221819242046 5669875865953021032 n — Alabama A&M University is one of 11 HBCUs to try a cybersecurity education program. (AAMU)

The need for cybersecurity advancements has never been more important than it is today, which is why Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering announced a new collaboration to support cybersecurity education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Of the 15 HBCUs in the program for this cybersecurity education initiative is Alabama A&M University. Check out what the program involves and how AAMU students will benefit.

What schools are participating in the cybersecurity program

AMIE Computer — The HBCU Cybersecurity Industry Collaboration Initiative Pilot aims to build curriculum capacity within HBCU engineering schools. (Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering)

The initiative’s pilot incorporates expertise and support from Abbott, Microsoft and Raytheon Technologies with the goal of aligning business needs to the pilot schools’ cybersecurity curricula and research capabilities. The four HBCU pilot engineering schools of the 15 member schools of the Council of HBCU Engineering Deans are Hampton University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, and Virginia State University.

The pilot will run through the end of 2022 with the goal of extending the initiative to the remaining 11 ABET-accredited HBCU Schools of Engineering in the future:

Alabama A&M University
Florida A&M University
Howard University
Jackson State University
Morgan State University
Norfolk State University
Southern University
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of the District of Columbia

What the program means for students

278756632 10158196018817046 8876973294157576513 n 1 — The initiative’s pilot incorporates expertise and support from Abbott, Microsoft and Raytheon Technologies with the goal of aligning business needs to the pilot schools’ cybersecurity curricula and research capabilities. (AAMU)

The HBCU Cybersecurity Industry Collaboration Initiative Pilot aims to build curriculum capacity within HBCU engineering schools, positioning them as premier national academic institutions for cybersecurity, while creating a strong workforce of students well-prepared for the world’s essential cybersecurity careers.

The initiative expects to support HBCUs through curriculum development, research collaboration, faculty support and other resources. Right now, there are nearly 600,000 open cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. and experts anticipate there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs open globally by 2025.

The 15 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited HBCU Schools of Engineering produce more than 30 percent of the African-American engineers in the U.S. while representing less than 3 percent of the engineering universities in the U.S. Data from the U.S.

Department of Labor show Blacks and African-Americans make up only 11.8 percent of information security analysts in the U.S.

“Our hope is that the initiative will enhance cybersecurity programming at HBCUs, helping connect students, especially African-American students, with opportunities to pursue cybersecurity certifications and degrees. This effort couldn’t come at a more critical time. The U.S. greatly needs skilled cybersecurity workers. HBCU Engineering Schools represent a rich pipeline of untapped, diverse talent.”
Veronica L. Nelson, AMIE executive director

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