Radford University Offers Cybersecurity Programs at New College
Radford University partners with New College Institute (NCI) to provide cybersecurity programs with exclusive opportunities onsite at NCI to prepare working professionals for multiple cyber defense certifications. Radford University’s cybersecurity program, Innovative Mobile Personalized Accelerated Competency Training, or IMPACT, was designated in 2016 as a Center of Academic Excellence in cyber defense by both the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
IMPACT, or, Innovative Mobile Personalized Accelerated Competency Training, is a competency-based education (CBE) program that is training working professionals for high-demand professions in cybersecurity, geospatial intelligence, and education throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
The IMPACT program is a competency-based education model, which focuses on teaching specific job-related skills that are needed to perform critical cyber defense tasks for companies. The program will primarily be delivered online in a self-paced manner along with onsite seminars at NCI. Participants will earn 18 credit hours within twelve months. IMPACT faculty will also prepare participants for multiple industry-recognized cyber defense certifications including CompTIA Security+, CISCO CCENT, CompTIA Network+, SANS GCIH (Certified Incident Handler), SANS GPEN (Pen Tester), and CISSP.
IMPACT classes will begin at NCI September 1. An information luncheon will be provided at NCI Wednesday, July 11 from 12:00 to 1:00. Representatives from the IMPACT program will review the program and answer questions. Representatives from the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board will also be in attendance to review options for employer reimbursement for the IMPACT program. The luncheon is free, but RSVPs are required. Please contact Ruby Jones at 276–403–5605 or rjones@newcollegeinstitute.org.
Approximately 78 million cyberattacks were launched against companies or local governments within the commonwealth last year, according to state data. In 200 of those cases, a data breach was reported. An estimated 36,000 jobs are open in cybersecurity across 650 companies within the state.
