"FIU and UAlbany Researchers Team Up to Launch $1.5 Million Virtual Cybersecurity Institute"
An interdisciplinary group of researchers from Florida International University and the University at Albany will co-lead a new $1.5 million virtual institute aimed at training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals for military and civilian leadership positions. The Virtual Institute of Cyber Operation and Research (VICOR) seeks to advance the US Department of Defense's (DoD) Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ (VICEROY) initiative, which establishes cyber institutes through higher education partners across the US. It is supported by the Griffiss Institute and an international network of academic, government, and industry partners. Heather Hage, the president and CEO of the Griffiss Institute, a nonprofit talent and technology accelerator for DoD, emphasizes the need for a series of robust Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs to prepare today's students for future cyber careers. Funding for VICOR will be used to build the cyber operational skills of students through hands-on learning and research opportunities. Through funding, scholarships will also be provided for 60 students selected for the program. In addition to coursework, the institute will organize career fairs, cybersecurity seminars, and an annual undergraduate research conference. VICOR will also offer networking and mentorship opportunities with industry partners and access to state-of-the-art labs. The institute's approach is to provide a unique experiential learning environment tailored to match the workforce demands of the DoD, armed services, and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) partners. It is set to officially launch in June 2022. This article continues to discuss the support and goals of VICOR.