Cyber Security to be presented at MHCC Board meeting

A proposal to add a networking and cyber security degree will be presented at the MHCC District board meeting Wednesday.

Computer information systems instructor Wayne Machuca, who is helping to design the curriculum, said the cyber security proposal refers to a new degree that may be available at MHCC in the fall. He said the program is the result of an increase in nation-wide cyber attacks that prompted The Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative.

In the 2008 a 10-part cyber security initiative was established. The initiative is posted on the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov. Initiative eight is titled “Expand cyber education.” In the description of initiative eight, the document says, “In order to effectively ensure our continued technical advantage and future cybersecurity, we must develop a technologically-skilled and cyber-savvy workforce and an effective pipeline of future employees.”

Machuca said, “A component of this initiative is for college education programs, and the National Security Association has granted funding for training at a community college level.”

He also said when MHCC begins this program, “it will be the first in Oregon and we will be the only center of academic excellence as a two-year institution.” He said, “There is a certification that NSA will grant a school once they’ve met specific guidelines, which includes hundreds of points. Once completed the certification will allow MHCC to market itself as a center for academic excellence.”

Machuca said information systems instructor Paul Morris is working on obtaining the academic excellence certification.

Asked what specific outcomes students should expect upon completion of the program, Machuca said, “A lot of people think of cyber security as a homeland security issue, and it is, but what Paul and I are doing is taking all of the components of cyber security and making them appropriate to businesses in our community.

“MHCC has a strong business orientation, especially when it comes to medical practices. We are adjusting the curriculum to teach students skills used at a national level and breaking them down to help protect technology in rural business and medical clinics.”

The program is in the “notice of intent” stage with the State of Oregon and Machuca said the school expects the program to be approved over the summer, which would make the program available by fall 2012.

Asked of his hopes for the new degree, Machuca said, “We need cyber warriors to defend us. This program will help train them.”

Rod Barker, dean of business and information systems, is scheduled to present the program proposal at the 6 p.m. board meeting 11 Wednesday.