Introduction

The University of Kansas School of Engineering and the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department  received a 5-yr (2016-2020) grant from the National Science Foundation CyberCorps for Scholarships Service program to train students who choose the professional specialty of cyber security, and prepare them to succeed in challenging careers in government agencies, to enhance security of critical national information infrastructure. The scholarship gives undergraduate students up to two years of tuition (16 hours a semester for undergrads), professional development($4000/year), books($2,000/year), health insurance($3,000/year) and a stipend for living expenses of $22,400/year(paid monthly over 10 months).  Graduate students are eligible for two years and Ph.D. students are eligible for three years of tuition, professional development, insurance plus living expenses of $34,000. Also, students have the opportunity to participate in cutting edge research, regional and national cyber security competitions, and the program offers assistance to students in finding internships and job opportunities within the federal government.  

Throughout the evolution of information technology, security has always been a moving target. Enabled by emerging technologies, new business paradigms are built on cyber-connectivity and collaborative sharing, which in turn accelerate innovations in new computing and communication paradigms. Increasing governmental and societal dependence on these technologies has made information assurance and security more critical than ever before. Addressing this grand challenge requires not only theoretical advances and technical breakthroughs, but more importantly continuous production of well-trained cyber security professionals. Producing this workforce requires training programs that provide both quality education and applied research. For more than nine years, the University of Kansas has offered information assurance programs to help meet this need. The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security have designated KU’s Information and Telecommunication Technology Center (ITTC) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE/IAE). Jayhawk CyberCorps: Scholarships Service program further expands this existing infrastructure as part of KU’s continuing long-term commitment to cyber security education.