In January 2003, a $300,000 DCED Workforce Leadership 2+2+2 Grant was awarded to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU), a National Security Agency (NSA) designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and recognized by the Department of Homeland Security.
The program was a collaborative effort between ESU, Northampton Community College (NCC), Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI), and Backbone Security, one of the leading computer security companies in the country.
The grant provided the resources for these partners to develop a seamless Computer Security curriculum with multiple entry and exit points for the three educational levels.
The curriculum supports a two-track system: an Operational Track for students planning to exit the program after two or four years and enter the computer security workforce, and an Academic Track for students interested in completing all six years of the program, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Security.
The grant also funded a four-day computer Security Camp in June 2004, in which 32 students from six area high schools learned about computer security issues and techniques and visited the computer security labs in Backbone Security, MCTI, NCC, and ESU.
FY 2003 - 2004
In January 2004, a $100,000 Expansion Grant was awarded to broaden the project to include the individual high schools in Monroe County – East Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain, and Stroudsburg – as well as Delaware Valley High School, located in adjacent Pike County.
The goals of the expanded program were two fold: • To increase the population feeding into the computer security “workforce
pipeline” in northeast Pennsylvania
• To provide a model for school districts across the Commonwealth looking for
ways to introduce computer security programs
The initial course offering at MCTI attracted 33 students who completed one or more Computer Security courses.
Northampton Community College developed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Security which was introduced in the fall of 2004. Thirty-eight students participated in the initial course offerings, earning a total of more than 20 certifications.
Articulation agreements were developed among all partners. The agreement between MCTI and NCC serves as a model for the high schools which participated in the expanded 2+2+2 program. An Academic Passport articulation agreement exists between NCC and East Stroudsburg University, and ESU already had in place a complete curriculum for a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Security, leading to National Security Agency certifications NSTISSI 4011 and 4012.
FY 2004 - 2005
In April 2005, a second Expansion Grant totaling $90,000 was awarded to the 2+2+2 Integrated Computer Security Curriculum Program.
These funds were used to further develop curricula for each school district as well as create a more robust collaborative environment between the program partners.
This expansion grant also funded an increase in marketing and program awareness for schools, their students and parents.
This grant was designed to offer educational resources and training necessary to expand and improve the supply of available, trained employees to fill positions in the Computer Security field.
FY 2005 - 2006
In 2006, a third expansion grant totaling $80,000 was awarded to the 2+2+2 Integrated Computer Security Curriculum Program.
In addition to supporting the existing program offerings, these funds are currently being used to develop and produce the first on-line distance education course in Computer Security at ESU.
This automated, undergraduate three credit course will include self-scoring test modules and programmatic content as well as videotaped classroom lectures. Content from this on-line course will also be used as modules and in curriculum development at the High School and Community College partners.
This course, upon completion of the distance education format, will be available to all East Stroudsburg University (ESU) and Northampton Community College (NCC) students, and available to select high school students – to earn three undergraduate credits at ESU.
The 2+2+2 Computer Security Program provides unique opportunities for students at three educational levels – high school, community college and four-year university – to prepare for a career in the field of Computer Security.
The program has been designed for maximum flexibility. Students may enter the program at MCTI, area high schools, NCC, or ESU. They may exit the program and enter the computer security workforce after completing the curriculum at MCTI, NCC, or ESU. High school students on the Academic Track may progress either to NCC or directly to ESU.
FY 2006 - 2007
Following the development, implementation and success of the 2+2+2 Integrated Computer Security Curriculum Project, it became evident that there was a critical need to create a Computer Security Career Recruitment and Internship Program to support industry needs.
Unlike familiar job sectors including education and business, career counselors are not equipped with the appropriate information to accurately inform and advise students who are interested in pursuing careers in this critical workforce shortage area on computer security careers
In addition, businesses, at large, do not have a clear understanding of their computer security workforce needs. The proposed 2+2+2 Workforce Leadership Grant for $80,000 will support the creation of a Computer Security Career Recruitment and Internship Program.
This program will develop and evaluate curriculum to align with computer security workforce needs. It will establish a methodology for the development of careers and internships in computer security across industry sectors with special emphasis on the finance and healthcare industries.
It will also focus on providing students with information concerning computer security careers that are available at the high school, community college and university level.
The project is designed specifically to:
• Identify the computer security needs of industry
• Assess the level of knowledge/training necessary for the positions
• Develop and evaluate curriculum to align industry needs with the Integrated
Computer Security Curriculum
• Identify internship opportunities for students
• Create Comprehensive Computer Security Career Guidance Programs at the
high school, community college and university levels
• Create pipelines and career ladders that will generate a highly-skilled
computer security workforce
Funding
Year 1
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
DCED
$300,000
$100,000
$90,000
$80,000
$80,000
Matching funds (indicate amount and sources)
$143,000
Program Partners
$50,000
Labor &
Industry
Partners (list)
Secondary
MCTI, East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Pocono Mountain, Pleasant Valley and Delaware Valley School Districts
5 School Districts and MCTI
5 School Districts and MCTI
5 School Districts and MCTI
5 School Districts and MCTI
5 School Districts and MCTI
2 Year Post-Secondary
Northampton Community College
NCC
NCC
NCC
NCC
NCC
4 Year Post-Secondary
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
ESU
ESU
ESU
ESU
ESU
Business/Industry
Backbone Security
TelCove
Printing Craftsmen
Gateway
enterasys
Right Reason Technologies, Inc.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Economic Development Organizations
DCED
ESU Center for Research and Economic Development
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Community Development Organizations
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce
X
X
X
X
X
Workforce Development Partners
Workforce investment Board
Careerlink
WEDnetPA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Other
IU #20
X
X
X
X
X
Impact
Top 3 Accomplishments
# of students enrolled (by educational level)
High School (MCTI)
College (NCC and ESU)
Graduate (ESU)
33
76
5
99
160
6
30
309
10
31
320
11
250
350
12
# graduates (by educational level)
High School (MCTI)
College (NCC and ESU)
Graduate (ESU)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
# of articulation agreements in place
MCTI and NCC,NCC and ESU
2
2
2
2
2
# of courses offered
High School (MCTI)
College (NCC and ESU)
Graduate (ESU)
11
21
n/a
17
27
n/a
23
27
n/a
23
28
n/a
23
28
n/a
# of credits available
High School (MCTI)
College (NCC and ESU)
Graduate (ESU)
n/a
n/a
n/a
94
n/a
n/a
94
n/a
n/a
97
n/a
n/a
100
n/a
YEAR ONE (03-04)
1. Creation of Computer Security Labs at MCTI, NCC and ESU
2. Articulation Agreements in place
3. Summer Camp
4. New Computer Security Program MCTI
YEAR TWO (04-05)
1. Development of the Associate of Applied Science Degree at NCC
2. Received the Governor’s Achievement Award
3. Teacher, Staff Training, and Curricula and Lesson Plans
YEAR THREE (05-06)
1. Training Sessions and Presentations at Middle and High Schools (27 sessions, 880 students)
2. 206% increase in students taking computer security courses related to the 2+2+2 program
3. Establishment of a distinct Computer Security Curriculum at MCTI
YEAR FOUR (06-07)-
1. Creation of the first on-line distance education course in Computer Security at ESU (CPSC105)
2. Development of on-line shared course content
3. Masters Degree in Computer Security at ESU is being developed
YEAR FIVE (07-08)
1. Development of an Internship Program
2. IT Industry Needs
Assessment
3. Five year Program
Evaluation
