Center for Cybersecurity - Cyber Center

The Center for Cybersecurity functions as a central hub for the Cybersecurity major and related programs

Offering student support, state-of-the-art equipment and a home for students studying in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

Cybersecurity-related programs

Our Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is approved as a National Security Agency (NSA) Validated Program of Study (PoS), and offers students with knowledge, skills and experiences for securing all assets in networks, including hardware, software, and information.

Northwest is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Northwest has demonstrated that it engages in significant community involvement, academic activities, and institutional practices in cybersecurity and has a B.S. in Cybersecurity that meets the requirements for a program of study. The NCAE-C program aims to promote and support quality academic programs of higher learning that help produce the nation’s cyber workforce.

Affiliated Faculty

Joni Adkins

Crystal Combs

Nathan Eloe

Zhengrui Qin

Cindy Tu

Gary Zhao

Student Activities

Our students are active in student organizations, including:

Cyber Defense Club, contact Dr. Zhengrui Qin
ACM student chapter, contact Dr. Charles Hoot
Upsilon Pi Epsilon, contact Dr. Ajay Bandi and Ms. Diana Linville

Northwest Missouri State University Cybersecurity News

Cyber Palooza: School of Science successfully held another cyber palooza, which attracted about 40 high school students. March 19, 2024.
Bearcat Cybersecurity Showcase Days: School of Science successfully held a cybersecurity showcase day, which attracted 9 high school students. Nov 30, 2023
Cyber Palooza: Due to the popularity and demand from schools, School of Science successfully held another cyber palooza, which again attracted more than 200 students from more than 20 high schools. Nov 28, 2023
Cyber Palooza: School of Science successfully held a cyber palooza after the covid pandemic, which attracted more than 200 students from more than 20 high schools. In this event, students were divided into 8 group and rotated with session topics such as cryptography, phishing, password cracking, Internet safety, Virtually reality, 3D printing, and hands-on coding. Nov 16, 2023

Global Cybersecurity News

Cybersecurity Awareness in Northwest Missouri State University

The Office of Information Technology keeps all cyber infrastructures secure, including sending out alerts and cybersecurity practice of conduct to faculty, staff and students.

Check Email Warning

Cybersecurity Competitions

Students in cybersecurity have opportunities to participate nationwide competitions in-person or virtually, where they can apply cybersecurity-related theories and methods learned in classes to real-world problems. Through these competitions, students can enhance their knowledge, expand their social networks, and eventually benefit their future careers.

Most well-known cybersecurity competitions are:

Advisory Board

Our advisory board provides valuable input to our curriculum, outreach, and long-term strategy.

Jack Hill, Senior Manager-NetDevOps, United Airlines
Charles Badami, Cybersecurity professional, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Bradley Taylor, Director, Advisory Blade at Bladestack.io
Devon Brown, Diplomatic Technology Officer, U.S. Department of State
Kevin Hutchison, Vice Present and CISO, Hy-Vee, Inc.
Scot DeWerth, CISSP, Senior Information Security Analyst, Gallup

Point of Contact

Dr. Zhengrui Qin
Associate Professor
zqin@nwmissouri.edu
660.562.1932