Champlain College Named Best Cybersecurity Higher Education Program

Champlain College was selected as the Best Cybersecurity Higher Education Program in this year’s SC Magazine Excellence Awards. Champlain is a nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity and digital forensics education, providing a career-focused, industry-specific curriculum to develop successful cybersecurity professionals.

“Recent cybersecurity breaches and emerging threats have amplified demand for skilled cyber professionals. Meeting this need requires hands-on cybersecurity and digital forensics education to arm the next generation of professionals against dynamic threats,” said Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, President, Champlain College. “Our approach is proven—in 2019, 100% of our on-campus Computer Networking & Cybersecurity graduates were employed in the field within six months. Our online Master of Science in Information Security is our fastest growing online program and students are making huge career gains as a result of their studies. I want to extend my appreciation to our dynamic faculty who bring a wealth of personal passion and indispensable, real-world experience to their teaching.”

In non-Covid times Champlain sends its cybersecurity and digital forensics students to industry conferences across the country. Pictured here: Champlain students attending the Women in Cybersecurity Conference, which brings together women in cybersecurity from academia, research, and industry to share knowledge, experience, networking, and mentoring.

Champlain offers more than 14 cybersecurity and computer forensics degrees and certificates, and constantly evolves its on-campus, online and graduate degree programs to align with industry trends. Its digital investigation courses meet criteria established by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the college is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CDE) by the NSA.

“We’re responsible for tomorrow’s cyber workforce. Our courses are taught and developed by active cyber practitioners, exposing students to real-world experiences, current tools and crucial considerations, like ethics,” said Kathleen Hyde, MCIS, MBA, Chair of Cybersecurity Programs for Champlain College Online.

“Because Champlain College’s students dive right into their programs, they receive more training and are fully prepared to start developing professional risk management plans as soon as they enter the field,” says SC Magazine in their award announcement.

Champlain’s programs for developing workforce-ready students include the Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity. The learning laboratory provides government, business, and nonprofit clients with world-class cybersecurity and digital investigation services and gives undergraduate students tangible experience through actual investigations and threat mitigation strategies.