Cybersecurity, Education, Research & Outreach Center

About the Center

Cybersecurity has become a global concern requiring utmost attention from all sectors in academia, government and industry. Despite the growing demand and tremendous job opportunities in cybersecurity, there is a significant shortage of skilled professionals regionally, nationally, and globally.

One of the missions of the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech is:

“To graduate innovative engineers who solve technological challenges to meet societal needs.”

In this regard, the Tennessee Tech Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center (CEROC) was established in Summer 2015 with in an effort to integrate university wide existing activities and initiatives in cybersecurity education, research and outreach. In October 2015, we were designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) through academic year 2021.  Our current CAE-CD designation expires in 2028.

The goal of these programs is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in IA/CD and producing a growing number of professionals with IA/CD expertise in various disciplines.

CEROC is unique in the state of Tennessee by emphasizing integration of education, research and outreach. At CEROC, our mission is not only to produce security conscious students to enter the computing workforce but also to create a pipeline of cyber defenders and researchers by educating them with a standard cybersecurity curriculum that integrates original research of our faculty in this area. As a part of its commitment, CEROC serves as one of the primary cybersecurity resources for different academic, government, and business institutions in the state and the region.

CEROC is home to the first CyberCorps SFS program in the state of Tennessee and the 8th largest (in terms of successful placements) in the nation.  CEROC has also participated in the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program (now Cybersecurity Service Academy) since 2018.  Fall 2022 saw the introduction of the Golden Eagle Cyber Certificate dual enrollment program for K12 high schools.  The program now boasts four course offerings and 12 graduations.  With the Tennessee GenCyber on Wheels program, CEROC continues a tradition with the program that dates back to 2016.

CEROC Goals:

• To provide quality cybersecurity education - one of the essential skill sets for the 21st century;
• To supply adequately trained students in cybersecurity workforce pipeline;
• To facilitate and advance research in trending areas in cybersecurity;
• To increase public awareness of information assurance and cybersecurity;
• To promote and disseminate cybersecurity educational and research artifacts and experience in the academic community;
• To share expertise with partners in collaborative initiatives in cybersecurity workforce development and research.