WPI to Offer Training Aimed at Bolstering Nation’s Cybersecurity Defenses

WPI is part of a coalition of universities, colleges and cybersecurity organizations offering educational programs aimed at improving the country’s software security. 

Funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), the Strengthen Workforce Education for Excellence in Programming Securely program, or SWEEPS, will offer online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs to software developers to improve security in computer coding. 

WPI Computer Science Professors Jun Dai and Xiaoyan (Sherry) Sun will administer the program at WPI. 

“The increasing frequency of large-scale cyberattacks reinforces the need for more experts in secure programming,” Sun said. “After developers go through the SWEEPS program, they will be more capable of implementing security best practices in every aspect of their coding practice.”

SWEEPS offers online training for students and professionals at all stages of their career, from entry-level developers to experienced IT professionals. Participants accepted into the program will receive full scholarships from the grant to cover enrollment costs. The program serves U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a priority to applicants with military or first responder backgrounds. Dai estimated around 160 of the program’s projected 700 participants will complete virtual workshops, boot camps, and full 1-to-2-year certificate programs through WPI. Instruction will include: 

• Key concepts and principles of secure programming, including common security misconceptions and proactive security practices
• The latest data security standards and how to reduce security vulnerabilities that leave software, systems and infrastructure open to cyberattacks 
• Compliance and legal requirements in secure programming and cybersecurity 
• Advanced security topics, including hands-on analysis of vulnerabilities, exploits and defense mechanisms 

The University of California, Davis and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will join WPI in offering the SWEEPS program. The program is also supported by:

• California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
• Cosumnes River College
• DARK Enterprises, Inc.
• StrongAuth, Inc. 

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School. Go here for more information on SWEEPS.