Center for Cyber Operations Education

The mission of the Center for Cyber Operations Education at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is to develop highly capable cyber professionals and leaders for the private, non-profit, military, and government sectors. We accomplish this through innovative co-curricular opportunities, interdisciplinary research in emerging threats and solutions, relevant community outreach, and fostering a sustainable ecosystem to support cyber operations education. UNG is designated by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). With this designation, UNG is able to offer the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.

UNG is also designated as a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia, one of six federally designated Senior Military Colleges in the nation.

Cybersecurity Outreach

• UNG Cyber Hawks – The UNG Cyber Hawks competition teams meet every Wednesday at noon in NOC 109. We practice for the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (SECCDC), the National Cyber League (NCL), NSA Codebreaker Challenge and similar cyber defense/cyber operations/cybersecurity events, and we discuss cybersecurity with guest speakers. Visitors who are interested in learning more about cybersecurity are welcome to attend.
• Guest Lectures – Dr. Tamirat Abegaz is a Certified Ethical Hacker, former Programmer with the African Union, and speaks on Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Dr. Payne is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and Certified Ethical Hacker and speaks regularly at civic organizations and K-12 schools on computer science, cybersecurity, and technology education. To request a guest lecture, email cs@ung.edu.
• Cyber Leader Development Program – In collaboration with the Army Cyber Institute, UNG’s Cyber Leader Development Program offers Cadets majoring or minoring in Cyber-related disciplines the opportunity to participate in up to 100 hours per year of academic and co-curricular Cyber activities, including courses, conferences, certifications, and competitions, leading to the Army Skills Identifier SI-C1 (Cyber) upon commissioning. See CPT Caitlin Hirsch (caitlin.hirsch@ung.edu) for more information or to join the CLDP.
• Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program - A scholarship-for-service program that provides full tuition, fees and books plus a stipend for $25,000 for living expenses to juniors and seniors in a cyber-related degree program ($30,000 for Master’s in a cyber degree or concentration)