Leading Innovation through Green High-Tech Engineering, Sustainability & Security (LIGHTES^2)

随着对跨行业和市政当局网络攻击可能性的关注日益增长，对网络安全培训人员的需求从未像现在这样大，以保护国家的信息系统、网络和基础设施。网络安全职位的增长速度是所有其他IT职位总和的两倍，这一点很明显。与此同时，国家信息基础设施的潜在脆弱性对国家能源基础设施的可持续性产生了影响。作为回应，该ATE项目将i)参与设计和创建一个从高中到大学的网络安全无缝衔接的新途径，ii)加强其现有的可持续性项目。该项目的具体目标是：1)提高发展和培训网络安全领域先进技术劳动力的能力；2)为STEM学生创建基于探究的无缝学习途径，关注从高中到大学的弱势学生的参与；3)吸引和扩大少数民族和非传统学生参与学院的网络安全和可持续发展项目；4)促进工业、高等教育、中学之间的区域合作。网络安全学位将包括堆叠认证，允许传统学生和专业人士返回大学灵活地进入和退出课程，并在“堆叠”这些认证的同时获得认证，或者按照传统方式完成课程，并在两年后获得学位和认证。因此，该计划将有利于新学生和现有的专业人士寻求提升他们的技能，并获得额外的学术和职场证书。

As attention to the potential for cyber-attacks across industries and municipalities has grown, the need for individuals trained in cybersecurity to protect the nation's information systems, networks, and infrastructure has never been greater. This is evident in cybersecurity jobs growing at twice the rate of all other IT jobs combined. At the same time the potential vulnerabilities in the nation's information infrastructure carry implications for the sustainability of the nation's energy infrastructure. In response, this ATE project will i) engage in the design and creation a new seamless pathway from high school through college in cybersecurity and ii) enhance its existing sustainability programs. Specific goals of this project are to: 1) increase the capacity to grow and train an advanced technological workforce in cybersecurity; 2) create a seamless pathway for inquiry-based learning for STEM students, with attention to increased participation of underrepresented students, from high school through college; 3) engage and expand the number of minority and non-traditional students in cybersecurity and sustainability programs at the College; and 4) foster regional collaboration among industry, higher education, secondary schools. The cybersecurity degree will include stacked certifications, permitting both traditional students and professionals returning to college to enter and exit the program flexibly and to obtain certifications while "stacking" those certifications towards the degree, or to complete the program traditionally and exit after two years with a degree and the certifications. Thus, the program will benefit both new students and existing professionals looking to upgrade their skills and obtain additional academic and workplace credentials.