For over 20 years JMU has been designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as one of the original seven National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity Education. The Program of Study used for the designation is JMU’s Master of Science in Computer Science with a Concentration in Cybersecurity. This is due to our well-respected programs in Cybersecurity and our faculty’s outstanding work in these areas.
The faculty involved in these programs have long been interested in working together to focus our research and outreach efforts in Forensics and Information Security. In the fall of 2013 the Center for Forensics and Information Security was founded. The Center was founded in the hope of bringing together students and faculty members interested in the fields of Digital Forensics and Information Security.
Mission
The Center for Forensics and Information Security seeks to expand the study of Digital Forensics and Information Security to help produce more qualified professionals in these areas of vital importance to the nation’s security.
Goals
- To introduce students to the fields of Digital Forensics and Information Security.
- To encourage students to pursue the studies of Digital Forensics and Information Security
- To support faculty research projects in Digital Forensics and Information Security by bringing together individuals with common research interests and establishing contacts with external partners.
Executive Advisory Council
The Executive Advisory Council (EAC) serves to provide external feedback to STEM areas at JMU from professionals working in science and technology-related fields. The EAC brings together a variety of perspectives, including those from industry, government, small businesses, and non-profits.
Faculty
- Brett Tjaden, Director and Point of Contact
- Mohamed S. Aboutabl
- Florian Buchholz
- Hossain M. Heydari
- Michael S. Kirkpatrick
- Xunhua (Steve) Wang
Cybersecurity Resources for Students
Internal Security News
- April 2023: JMU CDC places 4th in Summit CTF
- March 2023: JMU CDC places 13th in Information Security Talent Search
- February 2023: JMU CDC places 13th in Mid Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition
- February 2023: JMU CDC places 7th in Commonwealth Cyber Fusion
- November 2022: JMU CDC Competes in CyberBit ICL Collegiate Cup
External Security News
- May 2023 U.S. Government Neutralizes Russia's Most Sophisticated Snake Cyber Espionage Tool
- April 2023 Pakistani Hackers Use Linux Malware Poseidon to Target Indian Government Agencies
- March 2023 Multiple Hacker Groups Exploit 3-Year-Old Vulnerability to Breach U.S. Federal Agency
- February 2023 Researchers Uncover Obfuscated Malicious Code in PyPI Python Packages
