New York’s Cornell University and Illinois State University are both getting cash infusions for their cybersecurity programs. Cornell University will receive $2.5 million in federal funds and Illinois State is getting $3 million from State Farm Insurance.
Cornell’s $2.5 million grant comes from the National Science Foundation and will go toward the development of new cybersecurity software. The security software will be built with Viaduct security solutions. Viaduct creates security guarantees in the form of machine-checkable security proofs. The project will demonstrate end-to-end synthesis based on universal composability as a practical way to build secure systems.
Cornell researchers will also be expected to demonstrate their solution and offer tutorials.
Illinois State University will use its money to create an endowed chair position that will provide leadership for the newly-created major in cybersecurity in the School of Information Technology, as well as funding for program enhancements and renovation of existing space to strengthen the learning environment for students.
In addition to overseeing the new program, the chair will be responsible for maintaining the school’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Illinois State University is the first university in Illinois with a cybersecurity major. The major will be available to students in fall 2017 and includes courses focused on defensive security, offensive security, and a combination of security incident and event management with forensics.
