Champlain College Named ‘Best Cyber Security Higher Education Program’ by SC Magazine

Champlain College has been awarded the 2013 SC Award U.S. for exemplary professional leadership in information-technology (IT) security. The gold award, recognizing Champlain's professional leadership as the "Best Cyber Security Higher Education Program" was presented on Feb. 26, at the 2013 SC Awards U.S. Ceremony in San Francisco.

The 2013 Professional Award winners were chosen by a panel of esteemed security professionals from the private and public sector, hand-picked by SC Magazine's editorial team for their information security leadership and knowledge. When determining the winner, the panel conducted in-depth analysis and considered many factors such as applicable research, analyst reports, and/or product reviews to narrow down the field of hundreds of submissions to just the top finalists. Through this comprehensive analysis Champlain College, was determined as this year's winner in Cyber Security Higher Education.

SC Magazine is proud to recognize Champlain College as a leader in the information security industry," said Illena Armstrong, VP of editorial, SC Magazine. "Champlain College and its Computer and Digital Forensics programs is a great model for the entire information security industry and their efforts have earned them the 2013 SC Awards Professional Award."

Through its on-campus, online and graduate degree programs, Champlain offers more than 35 computer forensics and digital investigation courses - more than any other college in the country, according to Jonathan T. Rajewski, co-director of the U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation (LCDI) and an assistant professor in Champlain's Division of Information Technology & Sciences. "Students can jump into digital forensic courses immediately, taking advantage of leading-edge courses, like mobile device forensics, network forensics, file systems forensics, and many more," he noted.

Champlain College President David F. Finney said the LCDI provides a high-tech educational setting and a fully equipped, secure digital forensics lab to bring professional investigators and law enforcement officers together with Champlain's computer and digital forensics students to work on gathering digital evidence from computer hard drives, smartphones and other digital media storage devices. "We are honored by this award from SC Magazine and the recognition it brings to our technology degree programs and the successes of the people who helped build this innovation educational experience. With the LCDI and other internship opportunities, Champlain students are able to work on real-world projects in a supervised environment - enhancing their education and increasing the digital forensic capacity of Vermont law enforcement," Finney said.

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) helped secure the funding for the Center and described its value at the dedication ceremony in November 2011. "Champlain College is building a real-world classroom that gives students careers skills for the 21st century, gives Vermont's law enforcement agencies a revolutionary digital forensics resource, and that once again shows Champlain College's incredible ability to innovate and implement cutting-edge learning programs," Leahy said, "This is a program that already has proven itself invaluable in putting criminals behind bars."

Cyber security courses are developed and taught by experts who bring current industry best practices and techniques to the classroom. The LCDI enables students to get hands-on experience with active investigations, gaining valuable real-world experience, including developing and writing response plans. "We stride to provide students an amazing learning experience. This recognition is very humbling and I hope it results in additional internship/ employment opportunities for our current students. Our graduates have a great track record for securing employment and I look forward to hearing how this award creates additional opportunities," Rajewski said.

Champlain graduates are extremely well prepared to create and manage ever-evolving risk management plans, the program directors say. More than 90 percent of graduates have job offers within 30 days of graduation, and many even well before graduation. Champlain students are highly encouraged to participate in internships and the college offers assistance in those placements.

The National Institute of Justice identified Champlain's digital forensics degrees as Model Electronic Crime and Digital Investigation Programs, and the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security designated Champlain as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. Champlain has held these honors since 2004 and 2007 respectively.

The SC Awards, now in its 16th year, are the clear global leader for IT security professionals and products that fend off the myriad security threats in today's corporate world. The annual awards showcase the best solutions, services and professionals while recognizing achievement and technical excellence. SC Magazine distinguishes the achievements of the security professionals in the field, the innovations happening in the vendor and service provider communities and the fervent work of government, commercial and nonprofits. For more information and a detailed list of categories and winners, please visit www.scmagazineus.com/awards.

About SC Magazine

SC Magazine provides IT security professionals with in-depth and unbiased information through timely news, comprehensive analysis, cutting-edge features, contributions from thought leaders and the best, most extensive collection of product reviews in the business. By offering a consolidated view of IT security through independent product tests and well-researched editorial content that provides the contextual backdrop for how these IT security tools will address larger demands put on businesses today, SC Magazine enables IT security pros to make the right security decisions for their companies. The brand's portfolio includes the SC World Conference and Expo, SC Congress Canada, SC Magazine Awards, SC Directory, SC Magazine Newswire and SC Magazine IT Security Executives Forums.

For more information or photos: Stephen Mease, Public Information and News Director Champlain College, smease@champlain.edu or 802-865-6432.