UConn to launch new cybersecurity center with federal funding

April 15, 2024

35 2 minutes read

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UConn is one of just six universities that will receive $2.5 million over the next two years to conduct innovative research and develop cybersecurity trainings.

STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut is getting federal funding for a new cybersecurity program, set to launch in May.

UConn is one of just six universities that will receive $2.5 million over the next two years to conduct innovative research and develop cybersecurity trainings.

“We are really excited to get this you know, initiative ongoing,” said Junbo Zhao, a professor in UConn’s Engineering Innovation Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the new cybersecurity center.

The Northeast University Cybersecurity Center for Advanced and Resilient Energy Delivery, or CyberCARED, will be funded over the next two years by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response.

The goal is to address gaps in energy security research and provide cybersecurity education programs.

“For the renewable energy sector, there are a lot of new devices coming new communication digitization, so we have seen significant challenges for our region,” Zhao said. “So for that, we really need to educate people.”

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UConn will be partnering with five other universities in the region – the University of Rhode Island, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, University of Vermont, Central Connecticut State University and New York University, as well as industry partners like Eversource, the National Renewable Energy Lab, Raytheon technologies Research Center and Gridmetrics.

“It’s not going to like, start from scratch,” continued Zhao. “It’s really, we’re going to put experts all together to have a nice platform.”

CyberCARED will be based out of UConn’s Eversource Energy Center, inside the innovation partnership building on the Storrs campus.

The program will develop curriculum and courses, offer certification for students and industry professionals, and eventually even a major.

“We have almost like 20 plus industry members on board, so it’s a huge initiative and they are even more coming to me and say, ‘Hey, what about this initiative? Can I join?’” Zhao said. “They are pretty interested in knowing more and how they can work together with us.”

Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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