GC Cyber News
January 2024
The Cyber Center welcomed students to our first scheduled classes in our newly renovated Cyber Security Labs on the Dallas Campus.
November 2023
Continuing Ed offered the first Cyber 101 Online Class. The course covered operating system basics for Windows and Linux and mobile device connectivity; computer hardware basics for personal computers, laptops, and other mobile devices; with an introduction to cybersecurity. The introduction to cybersecurity covered attacks, concepts, and techniques; protecting your data and privacy, protecting the organization and your future in cybersecurity.
October 2023
2023 marked 20 Years of Cybersecurity Awareness Month celebrated every October. The month-long event was created in 2004 as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
For cybersecurity awareness month, Savonne McNeill, Gaston College’s Chief Technology Services Officer, sent out weekly e-mails about cybersecurity to improve awareness. The topics included: the basics of cybersecurity culture, ransomware, office workstation security, and social media threats.
September 2023
The data drops were installed in the new labs making the labs ready for setup. The advanced networking and hardware classes assisted with the rollout of the new equipment. This was a great opportunity for students to gain the experience in setting up and putting together all our new equipment and computers.
Jimmy Warren, Networking and Cyber Defense instructor, and Jeffrey Guzman, Director of the Cyber Center, attended the RETR3AT Cyber Security Conference. Topics included deepfake, cloud security, how the NSA works to protect the nation, and cyber professionals.
August 2023
The Cyber Center welcomed Jeffery Guzman as the Director of the Cyber Center and as an instructor for Networking and Cyber Defense program. Jeff enjoys working with students and building out the courses that will make students successful in the job market.
June 2023
Kelly Hinson, Chair, and Angie Rudd, Instructor, added the CAE Cybersecurity Symposium in Seattle, Washington. During the event, attendees were given updates on projects and competitions in the cyber defense community. This event connects Gaston College with other community colleges and universities, and the government in a pursuit of the challenging world of cybersecurity.
March 2023
Dr. Dewey Dellinger and Jimmy Warren attended the spring convening of the Carolina Cyber Network. The sector groups Agriculture, Biotech, Finance, Healthcare, Critical Infrastructure & Manufacturing all met independently to discuss future goals of each sector. Presentation topics included:
- Cyberbit Demo
- RangeForce Demo
- Recruiting Corporate
- CCN Grant Funding
- Capture the Flag
The layout, design, and equipment plan for the labs was presented to college leadership for review and approval.
The Advanced Routing & Switching class went on a field trip to AvidXchange in Charlotte. AvidXchange combines three critical business processes in one platform, offering a complete solution for AP automation, payment services and invoice acceleration. They provide an automation software package and payment solution for middle market businesses and their suppliers.
September 2022
Dr. John Hauser, President of Gaston College, along with Instructor Jimmy Warren attended the Carolina Cyber Network hosted by Catawba Valley Community College. The Carolina Cyber Network educates teachers through professional development, and students through hands-on training as they explore cyber career options. The CCN collaborates with colleges and universities to share resources, best practices, and to support one another. The CNN engages corporations, economic sectors, and government as we appeal to their employment and cybersecurity needs.
April 2022
Dr. Lisa Albright-Jurs, Dean of Career and Technical Education, and Jimmy Warren, Cybersecurity instructor, represented Gaston College at the CCN hosted by Forsyth Technical Community College. The Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) is a comprehensive, innovative workforce development initiative among select North Carolina’s Cybersecurity educational institutions working together to meet the growing talent needs of North Carolina’s public agencies and private businesses. Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) and the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, both designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Education by the National Security Agency, teamed up to found and launch the CCN. The network also includes Blue Ridge, Catawba Valley, Cleveland Community College, Forsyth Tech, Gaston, Isothermal Community College, Johnston Community College, Richmond, Stanly, Caldwell, Piedmont, Wake Technical Community College, and Wayne Community Colleges along with NCA&T University and Elizabeth City State University.
March 2022
Gaston College receives major grant for cybersecurity education.
Gaston College has been awarded a $2 million grant from the State of North Carolina for cybersecurity education. Gaston College plans to expand cybersecurity education by renovating/creating cybersecurity labs on all three Gaston College campuses, with the focus on meeting the needs of manufacturing/advanced material development industry at the Textile Technology Center on Kimbrell Campus as well as the general cybersecurity knowledge and awareness of the Gaston College student population as a whole. Stay tuned as this endeavor begins to take shape.
January 2022
Gaston College Networking & Cyber Defense program news.
The A.A.S. program of study in Information Technology – Networking & Cyber Defense has been validated by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). The NCAE-C program is managed by the National Cryptologic School at the National Security Agency. It is quite an honor for the program of study to be validated. The process for the program to be validated took well over a year. The next step would be for the program to become a fully accredited Center of Academic Excellence (CAE), which the program will be pursuing. Jimmy Warren is the lead instructor in the Networking & Cyber Defense program and has been with the college for 36 years.
