Cybersecurity: Growing a premier degree program at Durham Tech

October is Cybersecurity Month, and it began at Durham Tech with a lunch-and-learn with Susan Cropp of the FBI on “Biosecurity from a Law Enforcement Perspective.”  

“Of course we bring in top-notch presenters,” said Scott Neal, Cybersecurity, Net and Support Program instructor.  “Durham Tech aspires to be the best community -- dare I say best college in teaching IT. We are building a culture right now. We are growing a premier associate degree program. We employ instructors who are specialists in their fields, and we are completely online, so our program is accessible to anyone.” 

There are two key areas students in Cybersecurity need to learn about: the highly technical skills needed, and how administrative and policy-maker roles factor in. 

“Durham Tech is forward thinking,” said Kim Green, who also is an instructor in the Cybersecurity, Net and Support Program. “We are involved with the community college system, and we talk with other institutions and glean the best of the best to bring into our growing program. We are just scratching the surface of what we can and will offer.” 

The instructors at Durham Tech are specialists in their field, with many being specialists in several IT fields. 

Youssef Jouad, an instructor in the IT-Data Center, Software and Web Development Program, teaches an AI class, has his master's in data science and leads lectures throughout local communities. 

“Our classes are taught by people who know what they are talking about, by people who watch trends and react to them, by instructors who want to grow our program and our students,” Jouad said. 

Jouad’s first AI class was made up of between 25 and 30 students who are a composite of the Cybersecurity Program, which has all types of students. 

“We have the traditional graduates and some students with a military background all the way to seniors who want to be a part of the understanding of the field and work in cutting-edge jobs,” Green said. 

Durham Tech realizes the Cybersecurity field is fast paced, growing and changing constantly. As Green put it, “The field is time-centered. Staying on top of what is on top must be the case. Being able to do this means our students are on the forefront and able to grow in their learning.” 

The AI course has a conceptual side, but also leans heavily into technical terminology. 

“Conceptual learning ensures the students can walk into a room of AI experts and speak intelligently and understand the conversation,” Jouad said. “The terminology side is key to understanding how the engine works.” 

As the Cybersecurity Program builds its culture, recruits more students and continues to be easily accessible, the program will continue to evolve. 

“We are Durham Tech. We do great things here. We take the Cybersecurity Program seriously and personally,” Green said. “The program will continue to be on the forefront with the college system.”