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 towards cyberattacks.
This all began in August 2023 when Gov. Jim Justice signed House Bill 117 into regulation. The invoice allotted his $45 million to Marshall University to start development 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 gives a level in cybersecurity, however faculty officers say the brand new institute will deal with designing infrastructure to defend towards cyberattacks. The curriculum evolves as new threats emerge.
According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, greater than 880,000 felony expenses have been filed in 2023 on account of cyberattacks. Also, a cyberattack could have completely stolen $12.5 billion from him.
Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, mentioned 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 will increase the inhabitants that we will faucet into. There’s a whole lot of expertise in West Virginia, there’s a whole lot of expertise within the Midwest. That’s what we need to reap,” Skinner mentioned.
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 a few of the advantages that your entire state of West Virginia will acquire from this new cybersecurity company.
“What it provides us is worldwide attraction to our state just because we now have one of the best coaching in cybersecurity and important infrastructure. But for me, West Virginia I’m extraordinarily proud to be the chief right here,” mentioned Senator Capito.
The Cybersecurity Institute could have 13 laboratories for college kids, college, and authorities. The new constructing will even embrace devoted school rooms and convention rooms to additional educate group members in regards to the ever-growing risk of cyberattacks.
Marshall University President Brad Smith mentioned the advantages of the brand new institute won’t solely apply to present Marshall University college students.
“The beauty of the Cybersecurity Institute is that it turns into a useful resource for the group, college students, alumni, business, and naturally the federal government. So college students who full this program can come again and leverage their belongings to proceed their training. It provides us the chance to do this,” Smith mentioned.
Construction of the cybersecurity lab is scheduled to be accomplished within the fall of 2026, faculty officers mentioned.