Cybersecurity News

WWU Earns CAE-CD Designation

Western Washington University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE -CD).  This CAE designation indicates that Western has met the rigorous requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA), and is committed to producing cybersecurity professionals that will reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure.

Western is proud to become the 11^th CAE institution of higher education in Washington State.  Students can choose to pursue Western’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at one of our three locations: Bellingham, Poulsbo, or Kirkland. 

WWU BS in Cybersecurity coming to Kirkland location

Western will be extending the Cybersecurity program to the Kirkland location of Lake Washington Institute of Technology beginning in Fall 2023.* This unique academic program between WWU and the partner Washington community and technical colleges culminates in a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.  Students follow a 2+2 program pathway completing the first two years to earn an articulated cybersecurity transfer degree at one of our partner colleges, and then the  last two years at one of Western’s Cybersecurity locations in Bellingham, Poulsbo or the new Kirkland location.

This high demand program prepares students for a career in preventing and responding to internet security breaches that threaten businesses, corporations, and the government.  Western Cybersecurity graduates have gone on to work for companies such as Amazon Web Services, Premera Blue Cross, and CI Security.

*pending NWCCU/DOE approval

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WWU and Local Colleges lead the way in Cybersecurity training

"Educational institutions in Whatcom County — with major support from the tech industry — are stepping up to ensure the availability of a trained workforce to battle the ever-expanding onslaught of cyber attacks businesses and institutions will face in the coming decades." Read More Here: Whatcom County Takes on Cybersecurity

WWU Added as New Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network Partner

"The command intends to use the AEN to support and enhance four primary lines of effort (LOE): future workforce, applied cyber research, applied analytics, and strategic issues. These LOEs are intended to serve as an investment in creating a robust and accessible pool of qualified cyber professionals. With our academic partners, we can shape our cyber workforce while supporting the command’s mission."  Read More Here: CYBERCOM Announces Academic Engagement Network Partners

Western Cybersecurity Students help protect local governments

Western Cybersecurity students get hands-on experience by analyzing data collected through the Pisces Project- a pro bono security monitoring service for local governments.  Read more here: Cybersecurity in Kitsap is done by students thanks to Pisces program through Western 

Western Places 1st in 2019 CyberForce Competition

In November 2019, the WWU Cyber Defense Team competed at PNNL in Richland in the Department of Energy Cyberforce Competition.  This nationwide competition included over 100 teams from around the world.  PNNL hosted 18 of the teams, including 14 from Washington (the highest number from any state).  Western place 10th nationwide, 2nd in the Region, and 1st in Washington State.  This was the second year in a row Western placed 1st in Washington.  The team has been preparing for this competition since before fall quarter. Team members are: Joshua Stuifbergen (team captain), Charles Lewis, Ben Paros, Chase Warren, Jack Stratton, Grant Barton.

Spotlight: Cybersecurity Student Kim Huynh

2019 has been a busy year for Western Cybersecurity Student, Kim Huynh.  She started Western’s chapter of Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) and won the WiCyS National Student Chapter Leadership Award, all while carrying a full course load and interning at Premera Blue Cross.  Read more about Kim here: WWU Student Kim Huynh Wins National Cybersecurity Award

Western Places 1st in 2018 CyberForce Competition

Congratulations to WWU's Cyber Competition Team: Emerson Powers, Jack Stratton, Miranda Skar, Ky Tran, Kevin Virk, and Kyle Pak.

In early December 2018, they travelled to PNNL in Richland to compete at the Department of Energy CyberForce Competition. Competing against 70+ teams nationwide at 7 National Laboratories, Western placed first for Washington State (of 12 teams), second for the Pacific Northwest National Lab (of 16 teams, behind OSU), and sixth nationally. 

"How do you break that?"

Western Cybersecurity students get hands-on experience through Cyber Range Poulsbo, the PISCES Project, and studies of real-world organizations. Read more in the Kitsap Sun article:  'How do you break that?': Inside Western Washington's new cybersecurity program in Poulsbo

Teachers and Middle-Schoolers attend Western's Summer Cybercamp

Five local teachers and 23 middle-schoolers attended Western's week-long Cybercamp in Poulsbo in July 2018.  One day was spent at the SEA Discovery Center, performing experiments in a marine environment and securing their data transmissions. Read more: Western Washington University exposes kids, teachers to cybersecurity through camp