Our University Organized a Meeting-Discussion on Cyber Security Issues with Representatives of the National CyberWatch Center, USA
The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov opened a meeting-discussion with the National CyberWatch Center, USA. The meeting was a continuation of the Fulbright and Fulbright Bulgaria Programme - Cybersecurity in Universities. As a Fellow of the Programme last year, the Rector exchanged experiences with universities in the USA and had the opportunity to work together with researchers of one of the leaders in cybersecurity education – the National CyberWatch Center.
The objective of the event is to foster the global collaboration in advancing cybersecurity science for practice and education.
Along with Prof. Dimitrov welcoming words were addressed by Dr. David Tobey from the Prince George Community College, Executive Director and Principal Investigator at the National CyberWatch Center, USA /in the picture below on the left/.
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Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov pointed out that the University's long-standing cooperation with Fulbright has been extremely fruitful and he hopes it will continue to expand. He presented the UNWE as the largest business university in Southeastern Europe having 20 000 students studying in 53 Bachelor`s, 90 Master`s and 45 doctoral degree programmes. "This year our university celebrates its 103 Anniversary of its foundation and in September we will open 4 new specialities in the field of management, organization and standards related to cyber security: Cyber Security and e-Governance, Computer Processing and Data Analysis, Pedagogy of Education in Economics and Informatics and Applied Linguistics, and we have the support of the Ministry of e-Governance. We actively work to ensure a high level of cybersecurity, as our university is highly digitalized. We have 21 online services for students, including the application and admission are possible online", emphasized Prof. Dimitrov.
As Head of the National and Regional Security Department, he introduced the Department's team and the Doctoral students in the hall, pointing out that the Department was celebrating its 30th Anniversary of its establishment and outlined that its team strives to provide high-quality training in many areas of security, including cybersecurity, and had a programme on Cybersecurity Management where prominent experts in the field are lecturers.
As one of the leading security experts Prof. Dimitrov focused on the current trends in the development of security: "People think that cybersecurity is only hardware and software but from my personal experience I have found out that it is related to many other systems essential for our whole social life, so people should be familiar with the topic, especially in the modern conditions of highly developed digital communication and digital work environment", emphasized Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov.
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Dr. David Tobey introduced his team pointing out that the meeting was attended by specialists in all dimensions of cybersecurity as a scientific field. He said that he hoped to have a serious dialogue about the challenges facing society as technology continues to evolve at an accelerating pace. "We won't be secure as a society until we achieve each of us individually being secure", pointed out Dr. David Tobey. "We rely on you to share your experience as security and cybersecurity scholars and lecturers so that we can learn from your methods and practices in teaching and research to improve and enhance the quality of our cybersecurity education."
The meeting was organized by the National and Regional Security Department. In it took part Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, Vice Dean for Quality and International Cooperation of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty and Scientific Secretary of the National and Regional Security Department, Prof. Dr. Tsvetan Tsvetkov, Chief Assist. Dr. Nedko Tagarev, young scientists, cyber security specialists from the University and guests.
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The guests from the United States also shared their experience, observations and practices in the cybersecurity training process. The National CyberWatch Center was represented by Colleen Dionne McDaniel-Graham - Student, Prince Georges Community College / Andrew Thomas Rozema - Grand Rapids Community College Center / James Gruich - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College / Andrew Sep - Student Penn State University / Zayira Jordan - Universidad Politécnica / Kameran Evans - KSE Consulting / Joseph Michael Squillace - Penn State University.
The National CyberWatch Center leads a policy of collaboration as coordinating a broad national network including students, schools, individuals, and businesses.
As a leader in cybersecurity education and workforce development the role of the National CyberWatch Center includes:
- Advocating for the role of community colleges and universities in cybersecurity education and workforce development;
- Building cybersecurity education and workforce development programmes;
- Collaborating with educational institutions, businesses, government entities, and professional organizations to strengthen cybersecurity education, workforce development, and research programmes;
- Coordinating joint education, workforce development and research programmes in the field of cyber security;
- Promoting models for impact in education and workforce development.
