The digital frontier of the 21st century has shifted to cyberspace, making cybersecurity a crucial element for safeguarding our future. On Monday afternoon, Marshall University hosted a forum highlighting the expansive career opportunities in this vital sector.
Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, addressed the forum, noting the staggering scale of global cybercrime, which now spans trillions of dollars.
Easterly highlighted the role of international actors in cyber threats, particularly mentioning that “Chinese cyber threat actors are targeting our essential infrastructure—such as water, power, communications, and transportation systems—aimed at causing disruption and damage.”
Marshall University has recognized cybersecurity as one of six global challenges it seeks to address. Over the past six years, Marshall students have consistently ranked in the top decile for cybersecurity, and this year, the university achieved the top spot nationwide in digital forensics for the 13th time in 15 years, according to President Brad Smith. In response, the university is developing a second Academic Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity, as designated by the Department of Defense.
The university broke ground on this new facility last spring, which will feature 13 labs, academic spaces, and versatile areas on the first floor, as Smith detailed.
Easterly emphasized that this new center will be pivotal in cultivating the next generation of cyber professionals and advancing research in the field. The completion of Marshall’s cybersecurity facility is anticipated for 2026.
