Over his career, Professor Anteneh Girma has seen increasing cyber threats worldwide. As a cyber expert, he was thus elated when the UDC Department of Computer Science and Information Technology launched a four-year Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program in 2022.
“This degree will open several career paths for our graduates—including positions such as cybersecurity analysts, security consultants, network security engineers, incident responders and others,” said Girma, director of UDC’s Cybersecurity Program.
Amidst the growing demand for cybersecurity, technology is emerging as a powerful ally in the fight against cyber threats. The increasing risk of attacks, be it phishing, malware, or spoofing, is driving more people to rely on technological solutions. This reliance, in turn, is creating a significant need for experts who can harness technology to keep systems and data safe.
The UDC cybersecurity program currently has about 55 students. While most are in their Second and third year, Girma expects a few to graduate this spring. In addition, an estimated 90-100 dual-enrolled students from D.C. Public Schools are participating in the program through the Advanced Technical Center, a collaboration with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
The program has experienced a remarkable 90% growth each year since its inception, a trend UDC School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Devdas Shetty finds unsurprising.
“We expect this trend to continue and are planning to seek accreditation from ABET during their 2026 site visit,” said Shetty, referencing an accreditation board that reviews a host of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs.
A “meticulously designed and developed” master’s program in cybersecurity has also been approved by the UDC Board of Trustees and is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Education, Shetty says. He expects that will occur sometime this fall.
Students pursuing a cybersecurity degree at UDC gain comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals, practice and social impacts of cybersecurity. Topics covered in the program include network security and management, application and system security, reverse engineering and malware analysis, digital forensics, cyber law and ethical hacking, and cryptography. The program prepares students to serve as critical defenders against cyber threats and attacks in industries such as health care, government and business.
“Graduates of this program will go out into the world and create a safer digital environment, whether in their professional or personal lives,” Dr. Girma said.
Among the program’s current students is D.C. native Christopher Daniels. He chose cybersecurity because of his interest in technology and data systems, which grew from his six years of hands-on information technology experience in the military.
“During that time, I developed a strong technical foundation and learned the critical importance of securing information in high-stakes environments,” Daniels said. “My enjoyment of working with computers and technology made cybersecurity a natural choice, as it combines my skills, interests and desire to make a meaningful impact in the digital world.”
After graduating, Daniels hopes to work as a security operations center (SOC) analyst, where he can use his skills to monitor and respond to cybersecurity threats in real-time.
“Professor Girma has cultivated us for a career in cybersecurity through a comprehensive curriculum that combines hands-on technical training with theoretical knowledge of threat analysis, risk management and security protocols,” Daniels said. “Additionally, opportunities like labs and simulations provide me with the practical skills needed to excel as a SOC analyst and beyond.”
First-year student Benedict Villaruz, who also grew up in the District, decided to pursue a cybersecurity degree after receiving a strong recommendation from one of his teachers at Jackson-Reed High School.
“My teacher’s praise for the university’s affordability and a close-knit community was true,” Villaruz said. “The welcoming nature of the people here and the approachability of the professors have made my experience truly remarkable.”
UDC faculty members specializing in cybersecurity have secured multiple grants to enhance the program since its inception. These include a $135,000 Microsoft Impact 2020 Award for “Capacity Building in Cyber Security and Computer Engineering” (principal investigator: Computer Science Professor Thabet Kacem); a $399,924 grant from the National Science Foundation (principal investigator: Girma) to increase cybersecurity research engagement and address the needs of cyber workforce development; and a $125,000 DMV Outreach & Partnerships, Google.org Education grant for “Capacity Building and Enhancement of Cyber Security Education at UDC” (principal investigator: Girma).
Computer science professor and Department Chair Dong Hyun Jeong is optimistic about what his students will achieve during their time at UDC.
“The graduates of this program will have great opportunities to positively impact cybersecurity,” he said. “Protecting the integrity of digital systems and working on the front lines of keeping sensitive information secure can be very fulfilling. We are excited to see the contributions our graduates will make in the future.”
To learn more about the cybersecurity program, please contact Cybersecurity Program Director Anteneh Girma.