In 2024, more than 5.5 billion accounts were breached globally. Notable breaches in 2024 included the exposure of up to 2.9 billion records in the National Public Data breach, a ransomware attack on CDK Global that resulted in $25 million in ransom payments, and attacks on Ascension health system, among others. As the digital world continues to evolve, more than 85% of organizations still report being short-staffed in cybersecurity expertise, while low security awareness continues to hinder IT teams across the industry.

The need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been more urgent. Cal State Fullerton’s College of Engineering & Computer Science is rising to meet this demand with a range of forward-looking programs, partnerships, and initiatives designed to provide students with the knowledge and experience they will need to excel in a variety of cybersecurity roles.

Cybersecurity is set to become a key focus area in the Engineering & Computer Science Innovation Hub, an innovative space designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge research, which will prepare Orange County’s future workforce for a broad range of highly skilled technical and management careers. Construction on the Hub’s first phase is set to begin in June 2025 with completion projected by fall 2027.

According to Mikhail Gofman, professor and director of the ECS Center for Cybersecurity, a strong focus on cybersecurity is both timely and necessary in light of industry and societal demands.

“In today’s digital age, every aspect of our lives is influenced by cybersecurity,” Gofman says. “With computing systems being omnipresent and constantly under threat, there is an urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The integration of a cyber range and a student-run data center within the Innovation Hub highlights CSUF’s commitment to hands-on training the next generation of cybersecurity experts.”

The Innovation Hub will provide students with direct access to state-of-the-art technologies and real-world problem-solving scenarios, equipping them with job-ready skills in a dynamically changing cyber landscape.

The Department of Computer Science at ECS currently offers a cybersecurity concentration that equips students with hands-on training in critical areas such as network security, cryptography, cloud security, and web security. Proficiency in these domains is vital for any cybersecurity career, notes Gofman.

“Additionally, we are aligning our curriculum with the National Centers of Academic Excellence standards, established by the NSA and DHS, which serve as the national benchmark for cybersecurity education,” he says. “This curriculum is widely recognized in the industry, and once our program receives NCAE accreditation, graduates will have a competitive edge in their job searches.”

ECS will soon introduce a cybersecurity minor to empower students to enhance their degrees with cybersecurity expertise. This minor will equip them with the skills and mindset necessary to incorporate cybersecurity as a critical component of their designs. Completing the minor will also enable students to align their knowledge toward some of the most sought-after industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and Cisco’s CCNA.

“Our long-term goal is to establish a dedicated cybersecurity presence in degree offerings,” Gofman says. “Our intention is to further progress into the development of a master’s degree in cybersecurity. This initiative, beginning with the introduction of the minor, will not only benefit their professional development but also help attract traditionally underrepresented groups in cybersecurity.”

In addition to academic offerings, ECS is spearheading the establishment of the Orange County Cyber Innovation Clinic (OCCIC), with a pilot program that launched in February 2025. This initiative allows students to gain invaluable real-world experience by providing cybersecurity services to small businesses and nonprofits in the community that lack the resources to address their cybersecurity challenges.

“Through this combination of rigorous academics and community engagement, we are preparing our students to excel in a rapidly evolving and highly demanding field,” Gofman says.

Students’ Role in Supporting Cybersecurity Efforts

For the past decade, the Offensive Security Society (OSS), a fully student-led initiative to foster cybersecurity education at CSUF, has played a critical role in moving the university’s cybersecurity efforts forward. The OSS has evolved from a small club into a major force on campus, providing students with opportunities for hands-on learning, skill-building, and industry engagement.

According to Colin Gigool, a computer science master’s student and president of OSS, the club’s activities complement the university’s cybersecurity education by giving students a platform to practice real-world skills, providing students with an accessible introduction to the field in a less intimidating way.

“We organize beginner-friendly workshops, host guest speaker events, and hold Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, where students can solve real-world cybersecurity problems and learn directly from industry professionals,” Gigool says.

As the organization celebrates its 10-year anniversary, Gigool reflects on the club’s significant achievements, including top rankings in national competitions and increased student engagement.

“In 2018, OSS achieved second place globally at the Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition,” he says. “This milestone, along with our continued growth and success in various cybersecurity challenges, showcases OSS’s impact on the broader CSUF cybersecurity community.”

Through collaborations with faculty, industry partners, and other student organizations, OSS is helping students navigate the complexities of the cybersecurity field, enhancing their technical and problem-solving skills. Gigool believes that OSS is essential for attracting highly motivated students to CSUF’s cybersecurity program.

Industry Collaboration: A Bridge to the Future

Cybersecurity programs at CSUF ECS also benefit from strong partnerships with industry leaders like Deloitte. Sean Peasley, a partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Global Cyber Cloud Leader, highlights the importance of industry collaboration in shaping the future of the cybersecurity workforce.

“Cybersecurity is a critical focus area for today’s workforce because cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more impactful,” Peasley says. “As businesses increasingly rely on digital technologies, protecting against data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents has become essential for operational resilience and long-term success.”

Peasley stresses that employers seek graduates with strong technical skills who demonstrate the ability to think beyond the confines of this technology.

“Employers look for new cybersecurity graduates with skills in network security, operating systems, programming languages, and cloud security,” he says. “Critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a commitment to continuous learning are also highly valued.”

Peasley believes that CSUF’s cybersecurity program plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic education and real-world cybersecurity challenges.

“CSUF’s cybersecurity program provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge and incorporates hands-on experiences through labs, simulations, and industry partnerships,” he says. “Looking ahead, the ECS Innovation Hub will further enhance this connection, offering students access to advanced research and collaboration with industry experts.”

Looking to the Future

The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The cybersecurity field is expanding rapidly, with nearly 4 million unfilled jobs worldwide and a projected 32% increase in cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. over the next decade.

“The cybersecurity industry is experiencing explosive growth, with the global market projected to reach almost $300 billion by 2028,” Peasley says.

CSUF is positioned to rise to meet societal cybersecurity needs through its ever-evolving, comprehensive educational approach at ECS, industry and community partnerships, hands-on training opportunities, student involvement in cybersecurity challenges and other OSS events, and the opportunities that will soon become possible through the ECS Innovation Hub.

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, CSUF remains dedicated to equipping the next generation of cybersecurity experts with the skills and knowledge they need to protect the industrial, national, and global digital infrastructure.