Cyber Center

Welcome to the Valencia College Cyber Center!

Valencia College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

About Us

In 2007, Valencia College was awarded an NSF ATE grant entitled: "Computer Engineering Technology Security Curriculum Expansion and Enhancement," DUE-0703070, for the project period October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2013. This ATE project developed and implemented a cybersecurity specialization within the Network Engineering Technology Associate in Science degree program.

Valencia College launched the Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Associate in Science degree specialization in 2010 and has successfully developed curriculum, faculty, and articulation. The following state-approved technical certificates have also been developed: Cybersecurity (30 college credits), and Digital Forensics (32 college credits).

Awards

In 2013, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recognized Valencia College as a National Center of Academic Excellent in Information Assurance Education 2 Year program (CAE2Y). Since then, Valencia College has been engaged with the community and industry partners in several meaningful ways to promote cybersecurity awareness and to strengthen the pipeline for cybersecurity professionals.

Since its inception, the program has taken a hands-on approach, using portable labs deployable in virtual and remote-access environments. Program courses cover the exam blueprint for some of the top cybersecurity and digital forensics industry certifications including: Access Data Certified Examiner, Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH), and CompTIA Security +.

The program has expanded educational resources to K-12 institutions through the delivery various workshops and summer camps. The program was also successful at building an effective education pipeline model with 4-year programs, including the Cybersecurity program at University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the Cybersecurity program at University of Maine at Augusta (UMA).

Furthermore, in 2018 Valencia College’s Network Engineering Technology program was named a winner of the inaugural Siemens-Aspen Community College STEM Award by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Siemens Foundation. The Network Engineering Technology program was one of eight community college programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), recognized for providing outstanding preparation for high-demand jobs in information technology.

For all inquiries please contact Dr. Jessica Chisholm by email at jchisholm2@valenciacollege.edu, or by phone at (407) 582-1614.