Institute for Cyber Operations

The mission of the Institute for Cyber Operations 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.

UNG wins award for technology innovation

UNG won an award from the Atlanta Technology Association of Georgia for its technology efforts to support students in the Mike Cottrell College of Business.

Districts honored for cyber education efforts

The CyberStart America in Georgia Task Force has honored the top 10 school districts in Georgia in terms of signing up students to play CyberStart America.

Sultan-Dadon visits UNG to explore collaboration

Israeli Consul General explores collaboration

Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, visited UNG Feb. 13 to learn about UNG's cybersecurity and military programs and discuss potential collaboration.

Payne, Abegaz will present in Tel Aviv

UNG faculty members Dr. Tamirat Abegaz and Dr. Bryson Payne will present their research at the Cybertech Global Tel Aviv conference in Israel.

Georgia shares model for CyberStart America

The state of Georgia is sharing its successful CyberStart America recruiting model, which is led by UNG, with leaders in Texas, Virginia, Florida, and Alabama.

The Institute wishes to thank our Gold Sponsors for 2020, Truist, Inc. and Georgia Power. Their support makes our nationally-ranked student competition teams, student conferences and certification training possible.

Cybersecurity Outreach

UNG Cyber Hawks – The UNG Cyber Hawks competition teams meet every Wednesday at noon in the Cyber Range, Cottrell Center 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.
Cyber Leadership 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.
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)
UNG National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA) - This Academy will lift the veil of secrecy on the hidden world of intelligence, exploring the history, challenges, and controversies. It will provide a context for understanding the vital role intelligence has played in our nation’s history and continues to play today. The information presented during the Academy will provide foundational knowledge of intelligence for further study at tertiary institutions, setting the stage for possible careers in the field. The Academy’s instructors include academia, practitioners, and guest speakers from the CIA, FBI, and the former Soviet Union KGB.