Guardians of the Grid Get Their Start in Cybersecurity
At any given moment, somewhere in the world, a cyberattack is unfolding. A hospital鈥檚 patient database is locked by ransomware. A corporation鈥檚 sensitive financial records are exposed in a data breach. A government agency scrambles to contain an attack aimed at critical infrastructure.
The stakes in cybersecurity have never been higher, and the need for skilled professionals who can defend against these threats has never been more urgent. Recognizing this demand, UNC Pembroke launched its Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity in fall 2022, equipping students with the tools and expertise needed to take on one of the fastestgrowing fields in technology. The program has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception, attracting top students eager to gain hands-on experience, tackle real-world cyber threats and position themselves for highdemand careers in cybersecurity.
鈥淭he cybersecurity job market offers promising opportunities for graduates, ensuring that their investment in a specialized education is both valuable and rewarding,鈥� said Dr. Prashanth Reddy, director of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 cybersecurity program. Among those preparing for this high-stakes career is Shirsendu Mondal, a second-year computer science student who arrived at 51吃瓜网 with a r茅sum茅 that turns heads 鈥� even in elite cybersecurity circles.
At just 20 years old, Mondal became Bangladesh鈥檚 youngest certified ethical hacker, earning cybersecurity certifications from internationally recognized organizations such as ISC2, CISCO, IBM, New York University and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Unlike malicious hackers, Mondal is an ethical cybersecurity professional trained to find and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. 鈥淲henever we hear the word hacker, it creates a negative image in our minds,鈥� Mondal said. 鈥淵ou think, Ok, this guy will destroy my data. But an ethical hacker finds all the loopholes and vulnerabilities and notifies you.鈥�
After studying for two semesters at North South University in Dhaka, Mondal set his sights on 51吃瓜网's fast-growing cybersecurity program as the next step in his academic journey. 鈥淎t first, I looked at programs in Canada. Then I began studying the most affordable, high-quality institutions in the U.S. offering cybersecurity, and I found 51吃瓜网,鈥� Mondal said. 鈥淚t was a big deal for me when I got accepted!鈥� His arrival was not without its challenges. A delayed passport caused him to miss the first two weeks of classes, making for less than a smooth start. 鈥淭he transition was tough at first,鈥� he admitted. 鈥淏eing far from home, adapting to a new culture 鈥� it was a big adjustment.
But as time passed, I started interacting with people, making friends and meeting others from Bangladesh.鈥� Now settled in, Mondal is already making a name for himself on campus 鈥� both in the classroom and in research. Since arriving at 51吃瓜网, he has worked as a research assistant for Reddy, an experience that has allowed him to apply his ethical hacking skills in a real-world setting. 鈥淪hirsendu exemplifies the high-caliber students we attract, underscoring the need for skilled, ethical hackers to secure cyberinfrastructure in an increasingly connected world,鈥� Reddy said.
A Curriculum Built for the Future
The cybersecurity program at 51吃瓜网 is designed to meet industry demands, blending math, computer science and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art cyber labs. Unlike traditional programs, 51吃瓜网鈥檚 cybersecurity curriculum balances both technical and nontechnical aspects of the field, ensuring graduates are well-rounded professionals equipped to handle the complexities of modern cybersecurity threats. A key highlight of the program is the Cybersecurity Capstone Course, a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with subject matter experts from the National Security Agency鈥檚 (NSA) Laboratory of Analytic Sciences. These experts provide real-world problem statements based on current cybersecurity challenges, offering students both immersive learning experiences and valuable career guidance.
51吃瓜网 earned a designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in March 2023. This recognition affirms the university鈥檚 rigorous curriculum and commitment to developing highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. Beyond the classroom, the program boasts strong industry partnerships, collaborating with major organizations such as NetFoundry, AWS and the Department of Defense.
鈥淥ur Industrial Advisory Board, which includes members from Microsoft, Red Hat, the NSA and Corvid Technologies, offers insights into job openings, career pathways and industry trends,鈥� Reddy shared. These connections provide students with unparalleled mentorship and networking opportunities, positioning them for success in a field projected to grow by 35% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Globally, the cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 145% to keep up with demand. In North Carolina, the demand for applicants in positions such as information security analysts outpaces the trained workforce by 32%.
For Brian Torres, who graduated from the cybersecurity program in 2024, these industry connections and real-world projects were instrumental in shaping his career path. Initially drawn to 51吃瓜网 for its computer science program, Torres soon realized that a specialized degree in cybersecurity would set him apart in a competitive job market. His experiences at 51吃瓜网 included two high-profile research projects in collaboration with Reddy and the NSA鈥檚 Laboratory of Analytic Sciences (LAS) 鈥� projects that not only sharpened his skills but also contributed to national cybersecurity priorities.
In 2024, researchers with the NSA鈥檚 LAS partnered with 51吃瓜网 on a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen internet integrity across the U.S. As a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, 51吃瓜网 provided an ideal foundation for the project, which leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning to address critical vulnerabilities in internet routing infrastructure. Reddy and his senior design students played a pivotal role in this effort.
Together, they helped develop a custom-built platform to detect unauthorized internet routes using advanced Resource Public Key Infrastructure and Route Origin Authorization protocols. The AI-driven system integrated bulk data from the American Registry for Internet Numbers, categorized over 3 million organizations into sectors defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and processed more than 1 million U.S. routes with precision and scalability. In the Synthetic Cyber Knowledge Graphs Project, Torres served as the backend development lead, working to create tools that train algorithms for processing large cybersecurity datasets. His work included developing backend code for a fully functional website with an interactive user interface, allowing researchers to simulate cyber threats and test defenses.
For his second major project, the Internet Routing Integrity Project, Torres contributed to a website designed to track the adoption of security mechanisms protecting internet routing integrity. 鈥淭his project is about creating a resource for policymakers, so they can make informed decisions about U.S. routing security,鈥� Torres said. Beyond the technical skills, these projects reinforced the importance of teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration 鈥� critical skills in today鈥檚 cybersecurity workforce. 鈥淭hese experiences gave me a real-life work environment within the comfort of a classroom setting,鈥� Torres shared. 鈥淭hey prepared me for my future career in ways I never expected.鈥�
A Program Designed for Success
As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to rise, 51吃瓜网 is positioning itself as a leader in cybersecurity education. Looking ahead, Reddy is excited about expanding the program鈥檚 research infrastructure, launching a master鈥檚 program and participating in the Scholarship for Service CyberCorps initiative, a national effort to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Other upcoming initiatives include hosting annual cybersecurity symposia, expanding community outreach programs and integrating AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.
We鈥檙e continuously evolving to meet the needs of this fast-growing industry because we know our students shouldn鈥檛 just learn theories 鈥� they must apply them
鈥淲e encourage our students to participate in professional development events, competitions and hackathons nationwide. These opportunities enhance their skills and expand their career prospects.鈥� With state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on learning and an industry-backed curriculum, 51吃瓜网鈥檚 cybersecurity program prepares students to become the next generation of digital defenders. For students like Mondal and Torres, the program has already proven to be lifechanging 鈥� and as cyber threats grow more advanced, they鈥檒l be ready to meet them head-on.
