Cyber Center of Excellence
IRSC Cyber Security Institute
Indian River State College is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), certified by both the NSA and Homeland Security.
Student Spotlight
Robenson Forest – Cyber Graduate |
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Our Mission
The Cyber Security Institute (CSI) at Indian River State College is an academic research and training facility that is dedicated to educating all students and staff to be responsible leaders in the field by engaging in collaborative research, building community partnerships, and maintaining high ethical standards of Cyber Security practices and policies.
Vision and Goals
The Cyber Security Institute at IRSC will strive to provide excellence in Cyber Security education and training to all students, staff, and community in our local area.
- CSI will partner with other departments throughout the college to provide Cyber Security education and training.
- CSI will collaborate with industry partners and government agencies to address the need for Cyber Security workers.
- CSI will deliver instructional excellence to students to help provide the local workforce with responsible Cyber Security professionals.
- CSI will strengthen and establish partnerships within the community to provide Cyber Security education and training to those in need.
- CSI will continue to develop and expand our visibility throughout our local K-12 educational facilities to enhance Cyber Security education and awareness.
Our physical Cyber Center is located on our Massey Campus in the Kight Center for Emerging Technology. Students are welcome to visit our on-site center to get hands on experience with relevant cyber related technologies, connect with other students, and receive supplemental training from our Cyber Center lab managers.
Address
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, Florida 34981
Room V-116B
For any inquiries regarding our Cyber Center of Excellence, please contact the center's POC: Dr. Chad Calvert at ccalvert@irsc.edu or 772-336-6262.
Indian River State College offers several different degree and certificate pathways for those interested in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. Below you can find links to explore the degree/certification requirements and courses included:
Degree Paths
- Associate in Science Degree in Computer Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology Management and Cyber Security
Certificates
State & Technical Certificates
These certificates can be earned by successfully passing your required courses and following the guided pathway for your program.
- Computer Information Data Specialist
- Help Desk Support Technician
- Information Technology Support Specialist
- Computer Programming Specialist
Industry Certificates
Many of our courses are specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain specific industry certificates that are in high demand by local employers. After passing these courses, students earn college credit and can then schedule to take the industry exam in our local Pearson Vue testing center. Our courses prepare students for industry certifications such as:
- A+, Network+, and Security+ from CompTIA
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) from Cisco Systems Inc.
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) from EC-Council
- MTA (Microsoft Technical Associate) from Microsoft
- MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) from Microsoft
Advisory Board
To ensure that our programs are consistently offering students with quality and relevant educational training, we partner with local businesses to review our program offerings and offer insight into current employment needs within the industry. Our Industry Advisory Board meets biannually and consists of members from: St. Lucie Country Schools, Martin County Schools, Marti, County BOCC, City of Fort Pierce IT, Jupiter Medical Center, FPL, Dycom Industries.
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Chad Calvert (PoC for CAE) Dr. Chad Calvert is currently a professor in the Computer Science Department at IRSC. He also serves as the departments chair, as well as the PoC for the CAE-CD program at IRSC. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science from Florida Atlantic University and is currently working on completing his PhD at the same institution. Dr. Calvert’s research endeavors focus on analyzing network level attacks to develop mitigation approaches through the use of Data Mining and Machine Learning. His other work interests include Web Design, Game Programming, and Cybersecurity.
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Clifford Kemp Dr. Clifford Kemp has more than 14 years’ experience as an instructor teaching computer science courses, industry certifications, and cyber security at IRSC. He has spent 6 years supporting an enterprise wide network consisting of multiple sites. Dr. Kemp has acquired various certifications through Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, CIW, CWNP and recently the GCED from the Global Information Assurance, a partner of the SANS Institute. Cliff earned his Ph.D in Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, and his research focused on Data Mining and Network Intrusion Detection Systems.
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Tim Stroth Professor Stroth obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin in 1993, his Master of Science Degree in Mathematics at the University of North Dakota in 1995, and his Master of Science Degree in Computer Science at the University of North Dakota in 1997. Tim brings with him a plethora of knowledge and the enthusiasm needed to teach it all. Tim also manages the Cisco Virtual Training Environment, and is one of a few people to ever earn a perfect score on their Cisco certification exams.
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Georgiana Carvalho Dr. Georgiana Carvalho is currently an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at IRSC. She earned her MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science from University of Central Florida. She focused her doctoral research on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and worked in this field for several years as an ITS analyst for an engineering consulting corporation. She published more than 30 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings. She has more than 12 years’ teaching experience acquired through developing and teaching a variety of courses on programming, database applications, software engineering, system analysis and design. Her research interests are targeted towards broadening participation in computing and integrating computational thinking across all disciplines.
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Brian Bolhman Dr. Bolhman is currently a Master Instructor in the Computer Science Department at IRSC. He earned his PhD in Cybersecurity Management from Nova Southeastern University, and his MA in Information Technology Management from Webster University. Dr. Bolhman is an IT Subject Matter Expert with over 25 years of real-world business and information technology experience serving both public and private sector organizations
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Welcome to the world of cybersecurity! In today’s digital age, protecting sensitive information and securing networks and systems is of utmost importance. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance in your cybersecurity career, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to excel.
About the Cybersecurity Career
- Explain Cybersecurity Like I’m 5 (ELI5): Simplified explanations of cybersecurity concepts for beginners.
- Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?: Learn about the advantages and potential of a cybersecurity career.
- How to Start a Career in Cyber Security: Practical steps and guidance for beginning a career in cybersecurity.
- What Are the Top Programming Languages Used in Cybersecurity?: Learn about programming languages relevant to cybersecurity roles.
- What are some Different Cyber Security Specializations?: Discover the diverse world of cybersecurity specializations and the essential skills needed to excel in this rapidly evolving field.
Getting the Skills and Training Needed for Cybersecurity
- Free Beginners Cybersecurity Courses Online: Curated list of free online courses for beginners in cybersecurity.
- Cybersecurity Training: Online Programs, Video Courses, and More: Explore various training programs and resources to enhance your cybersecurity skills.
Navigating the Cybersecurity Job Market
- Cybersecurity Resume Writing Tips: Guidance and tips for crafting an effective cybersecurity resume.
- Networking for Cybersecurity Professionals: Importance of networking and building professional connections in cybersecurity.
- Transitioning from IT to Cybersecurity: Advice for professionals looking to transition from IT roles to cybersecurity careers.
Competitions
- Cyberpatriot: National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or STEM disciplines critical to our nation’s future.
- National Cyber League: Powered by Cyber Skyline, enables students to prepare and test themselves against practical cybersecurity challenges that they will likely face in the workforce
- International Cybersecurity Championships: Designed to attract top talent and raise global awareness of the power of games to upskill the cybersecurity industry.
CAE Community
- CAECommunity.org: Stay informed about the latest in the CAE Community
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Institutional Security Resources and Policies
Information regarding the institution’s Information Security policies can by found in our Policy Manual under Section 8000 Operations.
Information regarding the institution’s Accessibility and Privacy Policies can be found here.
For any inquiries regarding our Cyber Center of Excellence, please contact the center's POC: Dr. Chad Calvert at ccalvert@irsc.edu or 772-336-6262.
