Purdue to Offer New Cybersecurity Academy

As cybersecurity concerns continue to grow, demand for cybersecurity experts runs in parallel. In response, Purdue University is partnering with design and development company Socratic Arts to offer the Cyber Academy.

The 30-week, immersive cybersecurity training program is designed to train candidates with basic computer skills and a desire to learn about cybersecurity.

“Purdue recognizes that cybersecurity is an exploding field vital to the nation and to society – and that there just are not enough trained people, at all levels, to fill jobs in this field,” said Gerry McCartney, executive vice president for Purdue Online.

Purdue says the online program was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Students in the program learn to identify, defend against and reverse engineer cyberattacks in a realistic, but fictional, context.

McCartney says will learn as if they were entry-level employees in cybersecurity operations for the military, government or business.

 “This partnership, among Purdue’s many other cybersecurity teaching and research efforts, can help address the challenge,” McCartney said.

The courses are not for college credit, but students receive certification upon completion, preparing them for entry-level cybersecurity jobs.