Center for Secure and Dependable Systems
Point of Contact: Dr. Jim Alves-Foss
The Idaho State Board of Education established the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems (CSDS) at the University of Idaho in response to the overwhelming need for computer-related security education and research.
In May 1999, the National Security Agency designated the University of Idaho as one of the initial seven National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense education, partly in recognition of CSDS's efforts in promoting information security education and research.
In 2001, the National Science Foundation created the Scholarship for Service (SFS, aka CyberCorps®) program and the University of Idaho was one of the first four schools in the nation to host a scholarship program specifically for students focusing on Cyber Defense and Information Assurance studies.
CSDS comprises nine Computer Science faculty, one Computer Science emeritus, three Business faculty, two Sociology faculty, five Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty, one Civil & Environmental Engineering faculty, associates at INL, PNNL, Navy, HP, an average of 30 students and 3,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in the Janssen Engineering Building.
Completely self-funded, the center brings together collaborative research efforts and serves as an educational focal point for the design, development, analysis, and use of technologies that result in secure and dependable computing systems. CSDS is one of the centers in the College of Engineering at the University of Idaho. Read a full overview of the University of Idaho's Cyber Defense curriculum on our Education page.
CSDS is a proud member of the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection (I3P).
Cybersecurity Training/Awareness
Cyber Defense Education
The University of Idaho houses a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Point of Contact:
Dr. Jim Alves-Foss
U of I Cybersecurity in the News
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Posted 2/6/2023 6:50:00 PM
All 10 University of Idaho College of Engineering students in a federal cybersecurity scholarship are headed to top jobs. Read more
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U of I Launches Cybersecurity Master’s Program, Expanding Degree Offerings to Meet Skyrocketing Demand
Posted 6/16/2021 4:52:00 PM
Cybersecurity job openings in Idaho have increased 160% since 2015, and U of I is adding to its degree offerings to meet state and national demand. Read more
Johnson, Roberson Part of Team Named 2020 Top Innovators for Cybersecurity Research
Posted 2/17/2021 10:40:00 PM
Brian Johnson and Dakota Roberson are part of a research and design team named by Public Utilities Fortnightly as one of the Top Innovators 2020. Read more
New U of I Degree Program Works to Fill Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals
Posted 1/13/2021 12:44:00 AM
This story was produced by Doug Nadvornick of Spokane Public Radio and published on Jan. 10, 2021. This article is reposted with permission. Read more
Vandal Theory Podcast: Michael Haney — Idaho Educates Cybersecurity Experts
Posted 11/30/2020 8:00:00 AM
Meet Michael Haney, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Idaho. Computer hackers are always developing new tricks, and businesses hire professional cybersecurity experts to protect their important data. But there are not enough experts to go around. Idaho has now gone all in to educate the next wave of cybersecurity experts, and Michael is leading the charge. Read more
U of I Launches Idaho's First Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree
Posted 6/16/2020 5:13:00 PM
The University of Idaho College of Engineering is launching Idaho's first bachelor's degree program in cybersecurity, open to students this fall. Read more
SEL and U of I Launch $2.5M Cybersecurity Partnership
Posted 4/29/2020 4:23:00 PM
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and the U of I College of Engineering gives cybersecurity education and research a boost. Read more