Marshall Magazine Summer 2022

I f you talk to the experts at the newly formed Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security, you’ll quickly learn that cybersecurity is more than a buzzword. It’s a critical issue that affects everyone in the world. “Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology problem,” said John Sammons, chair of Marshall’s Department of Cyber Forensics and Security and director of the Cyber Forensics and Security graduate program. “It’s a business problem and a political problem. It’s a public health problem and a national security problem. Technology has permeated every aspect of society — everything frommedical care to banking, from buying a hamburger to getting gas. We are totally dependent on it, which makes us extremely vulnerable. We see this problem playing out on the news nearly every evening.” In October 2021, the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security was created to address these concerns, bringing together hardware and software engineers, forensic scientists, cybersecurity practitioners and policy experts to take on emerging cyberthreats on the local, national and even international level. The academic component of the ICS combines four degree programs and two colleges, the College of Science and the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, with support from the College of Business and others. It’s already making an impact, said ICS Director Dr. David Dampier. The ICS has partnered with multiple govern ment agencies and nonprofits, including OperationUnderground Railroad, which fights child sex trafficking in the U.S. and abroad; the West Virginia Intelligence

The Institute for Cyber Security’s academic programs are very practitioner focused, with as much hands-on, skills-based experience as possible. Among other external agencies, the institute provides assistance to the West Virginia State Police’s southern digital forensics lab. Above: Jacob Hewitt, a graduate student, works under the direction of Josh Brunty. Below: Students log lots of computer time in their studies. From left are Jacob Hewitt; Alisha Joseph; Bill Gardner; Brittany Belcher, project manager; and John McFee, graduate student.

By Katherine Pyles Photos by Rick Lee

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