DESCRIPTION

The Texas Cybersecurity Clinic is a two-semester sequence that first equips students with the technical and business skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst (semester 1) and then partners them in (supervised) teams with a small local business, municipal government, nonprofit to render pro bono cybersecurity services (semester 2). During the first semester, students will learn key cybersecurity defense concepts and skills, such as vulnerability assessment, network configuration and security, access controls, authorization techniques, responding to a cyberattack, business planning, and penetration testing. Students will also learn how to form an effective cybersecurity operations team and communicate with organization and business leaders and employees about essential cybersecurity controls and functions. By the conclusion of this course, students will be prepared to work within their assigned teams to assess, design, and render a cybersecurity improvement project plan for their client organization next semester.

COURSE NOTES

The Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic is a two-semester sequence that first equips students with the technical and business skills of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst (semester 1) and then partners them in (supervised) teams with a small business, public sector organization, or nonprofit to render pro bono cybersecurity services (semester 2). During the first semester, students will learn key cybersecurity defense concepts and skills, such as risk assessment, network configuration and security, access controls, responding to a cyberattack, business planning, and penetration testing. Students will also learn how to form an effective cybersecurity consulting team and communicate with organization leaders and employees about essential cybersecurity controls and functions. By the conclusion of this course, students will be prepared to work within their assigned teams to assess, design, and render a cybersecurity improvement project plan for their assigned clinic client organization next semester.

PREREQUISITES

Upper-division standing.

Acceptance into to the Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic course sequence.

RESTRICTIONS

Participation is limited to a small number of exceptional undergraduate students from any college or school. Strong candidates will be able to commit to two semesters of coursework and possess proven teamwork skills, an interest in learning and applying the technical aspects of cybersecurity, and a commitment to improving cyber resilience in Austin. No prior cybersecurity knowledge or experience required. See https://www.strausscenter.org/cybersecurity/apply-here-cyber-clinic for more information on applying to the Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic.