CyberCorps Scholarship for Service: Preparing a Diverse Next-Generation Workforce Through Integrated Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Scholar Experience

迫切需要网络安全和人工智能(AI)方面的技术专家致力于在政府角色中服务。这些人可以提供知识渊博和面向未来的指导，在保护国防和资源的同时促进整个社会的增长。博伊西州立大学(BSU)的CyberCorps®服务奖学金(SFS)项目将帮助满足这一需求，将17名学者培养成准备在公共部门组织服务的网络安全专业人员。北卡罗来纳州立大学计算机科学系为网络安全和人工智能本科生、硕士和博士生提供最先进的技术指导和持续的实践研究体验。学者们将掌握必要的知识和技能来保护人工智能系统，同时利用人工智能在伦理上提高网络安全系统的效率和效力。该项目与联邦网络安全研究和发展战略计划保持一致，该战略计划将人工智能、教育和劳动力发展(EWD)作为关键领域。该项目旨在实现以下目标：1)招募对网络安全感兴趣的不同队列；2)在人工智能和网络安全的交叉点上培养学者的能力；3)促进参与、确保留住和促进就业。项目团队将系统地利用当代学习科学和提高成绩的方法。此外，该项目团队将与爱达荷州的其他社区和四年制大学以及现有的波士顿州立大学网络安全项目合作，以吸引和留住学者。该项目将强调改善网络安全中任职人数不足的群体和具有不同生活经历的群体的成员的参与情况。除了课程、研讨会和指导支持，学者们还将参加各种活动，包括在北卡罗来纳州立大学普适网络安全研究所的实习和动手培训。该项目得到了CyberCorps®服务奖学金(SFS)计划的支持，该计划为设立或继续开展网络安全奖学金计划的提案提供资金，并与美国国家网络战略保持一致，以培养一支优秀的网络安全队伍。毕业后，奖学金获得者被要求在联邦、州、地方或部落政府组织的网络安全工作中工作，时间与他们的奖学金支持相同。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

There is an urgent need for technical experts in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) committed to serving in government roles. These individuals can provide knowledgeable and future-oriented guidance that protects national defense and resources while facilitating growth across society. The CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) project at Boise State University (BSU) will help to meet that need by nurturing a diverse cohort of 17 scholars into cybersecurity professionals ready to serve in public sector organizations. BSU’s Computer Science department provides state-of-the-art technical instruction and continuous hands-on research experiences for Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD level cybersecurity and AI students. Scholars will be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to safeguard AI systems while leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity systems' efficiency and effectiveness ethically. The project is aligned with the Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan, which highlights AI and Education and Workforce Development (EWD) as key areas.This project aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) recruit a diverse cohort interested in serving in cybersecurity, 2) build scholars’ competencies at the Intersection of AI and cybersecurity, and 3) foster engagement, ensure retention, and facilitate employment. The project team will systemically engage contemporary learning science and performance-improving methods. In addition, the project team will partner with other Idaho community and four-year colleges, and existing BSU cybersecurity programs to attract and retain scholars. The project will emphasize improving the participation of members of groups underrepresented in cybersecurity and those with diverse life experiences. In addition to coursework, seminars, and mentoring support, scholars will participate in various activities, including internships and hands-on training in BSU’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity. This project is supported by the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which funds proposals establishing or continuing scholarship programs in cybersecurity and aligns with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce. Following graduation, scholarship recipients are required to work in cybersecurity for a federal, state, local, or tribal Government organization for the same duration as their scholarship support.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.