CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (Renewal): Enhancing Cybersecurity Research and Education in Puerto Rico

Polytechnic University Of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR

Investigators

Abstract

This CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) project renewal will enable Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) to continue supporting the needs of national security and an increasingly technological society. The main goals of the PUPR-SFS program are: 1) increase the number of qualified students pursuing cybersecurity; and 2) engage students in professional activities such as internships, development of workshops, and other outreach activities that provide synergistic interactions through various activities in cybersecurity. This project will attract students to enter academic programs in Computer Science and Engineering in Cybersecurity and help to alleviate the nationwide shortage of qualified professionals in these areas. Through its support for undergraduate and graduate students this PUPR-SFS project will increase research findings and improve education in multiple technology areas relevant to cybersecurity. PUPR is already involved in critical research in areas such as Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence such as Machine Learning, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Computer Forensics, Intrusion Detection, and Cryptography. The project will help increase the knowledge base in security topics that are of national concern. Another goal is to engage students in professional activities such as internships, workshop development, and other outreach activities that provide synergistic interactions through various activities in cybersecurity. These activities will also include initiatives within the university that will enrich students' academic experiences, such as job fairs, symposiums, "Capture the Flag" competitions, and attendance at international refereed conferences. The project team will meet periodically with students to monitor progress in courses, research, and any other educational activities required of students. Expected outcomes will be evaluated periodically using a Program Evaluation Plan consisting of internal and external evaluations (with an experienced external evaluator). The plan assures that formative and summative evaluations are consistent with the program's expected outcomes, and, if required, corrective actions are taken in a timely manner. This project is supported by the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which funds proposals establishing or continuing scholarship programs in cybersecurity and aligns with the U.S. National Cyber Strategy to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce. Following graduation, scholarship recipients are required to work in cybersecurity for a federal, state, local, or tribal Government organization for the same duration as their scholarship support. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.