HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WOWK) – Marshall University broke floor on Friday for its Cybersecurity Institute. This is an addition to the Huntington campus that serves as a coaching floor to arrange college students to defend in opposition to cyberattacks.
This all began in August 2023 when Gov. Jim Justice signed House Bill 117 into legislation. The invoice allotted his $45 million to Marshall University to start building of a brand new analysis institute. In addition to this, the US Department of Defense contributed $5 million to fund this system final 12 months, and plans to contribute $14 million this 12 months and $15 million in 2025.
Marshall University already provides a level in cybersecurity, however faculty officers say the brand new institute will deal with designing infrastructure to defend in opposition to cyberattacks. The curriculum evolves as new threats emerge.
According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, greater than 880,000 prison expenses had been filed in 2023 attributable to cyberattacks. Also, a cyberattack could have price him $12.5 billion ceaselessly.
Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, stated Marshall University was chosen due to its excessive nationwide rankings in cyber assault programs.
“We’re shut sufficient to the Washington, D.C. space, however not too shut. So we are able to increase the inhabitants that we are able to faucet into. There’s lots of expertise in West Virginia, there’s lots of expertise within the Midwest. That’s what we wish to reap,” Skinner stated.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) helped break floor on the development web site and has been concerned with the mission from the start. She shared her personal ideas on among the advantages that your complete state of West Virginia will acquire from this new cybersecurity company.
“What it offers us is worldwide attraction to our state just because we’ve the very best coaching in cybersecurity and important infrastructure. But for me, West Virginia I’m extraordinarily proud to be the chief right here,” stated Senator Capito.
The Cybersecurity Institute may have 13 laboratories for college students, college, and authorities. The new constructing may even embody devoted lecture rooms and assembly rooms to additional educate neighborhood members in regards to the ever-growing risk of cyberattacks.
Marshall University President Brad Smith stated the advantages of the brand new institute is not going to solely apply to present Marshall University college students.
“The wonderful factor in regards to the Cybersecurity Institute is that it turns into a useful resource for the neighborhood, for college students, for alumni, for business, and naturally for presidency. So we’ve college students who’ve gone by way of this program who can come again and leverage their property and educate themselves. It offers us the chance to proceed to do this,” Smith stated.
Construction of the cybersecurity lab is scheduled to be accomplished within the fall of 2026, faculty officers stated.