Digital forensics majors identified as new cyber talent

Four Bloomsburg University digital forensics majors now have their eyes set on working for the Department of Defense as a result of earning a DoD Cyber Scholarship for this school year. Each cyber scholar receives full tuition, fees, a book allowance, and a stipend for living expense in exchange for civilian service at a DoD Agency upon graduation.

“We’re very proud of our digital forensics curriculum and the students we educate,” said Curt Jones, chairman of the mathematical and digital sciences department. “These scholarships are the result of these students’ ability and education provided by our professors. They’re only possible because of our designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education that Dr. Barrett obtained for us. Her excellent work in this area has now led to six students receiving these highly coveted scholarships.”

DoD’s Cybersecurity Scholarship Program is designed to increase the number of qualified students entering the fields of information assurance, information technology, and cybersecurity to meet the DoD’s increasing dependence on cybersecurity for war fighting and the security of its information infrastructure. “The scholarship award an excellent testament to the caliber of our digital forensic students,” said Diane Barrett, associate professor of mathematical and digital sciences. “It also demonstrates the high quality of the digital forensics curriculum and faculty expertise. This is an exceptional opportunity for our students to make a difference in the effort to secure the digital assets of our country.” Due to the sensitivity of the jobs within DoD, student names are being withheld.

BU is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education with a focus in the area of digital forensics. The CAE designation, jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, recognizes that Bloomsburg’s digital forensics program has met stringent criteria in regard to its digital forensics curriculum, faculty and research, as well as demonstrated an institution-wide commitment to information assurance practices and cyber defense education. Students attending CAE designated schools become eligible to apply for related scholarships and grants through the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.
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