Attorney general funds $1 million cyber security expansion at Little Rock University

From The Arkansas Lawyer:

Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a $1 million grant Thursday to establish new research and education resources for students majoring in cybersecurity at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Using unrestricted lawsuit settlement funds, Griffin said the upcoming Center for Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) will be an opportunity for the university to develop its niche and commit to the long term.

“What happens in this cyber university will be helpful for Walmart, Tyson and Murphy USA, the massive companies that will be residing in Magnolia over one of the largest – if not the largest – lithium deposits in the world,” Griffin said. “We have a huge opportunity, folks.”

Griffin was joined by UA Little Rock Provost Ann Bain and Associate Professor of Computer Science Philip Huff for Thursday’s announcement, which took place on campus in front of several faculty, staff and students. Officials have not said when the project will be completed.

The new center will allow students the space to work on sensitive projects in partnership with community leaders, law enforcement and industry mentors, Huff said.

Philip Huff, associate professor of computer science at UA Little Rock, interacts with Attorney General Tim Griffin following the announcement of a $1 million grant to expand the cybersecurity program on Oct. 31, 2024.

“It will also allow us to expand our operations to match growing demand with plans to include more students and provide more hands-on service learning opportunities through our cyber security planning,” said Huh. “We are deeply committed to advancing cybersecurity education, not only for the future of our students, but also for the protection and prosperity of Arkansas.”

More than 100 students are currently enrolled in the university’s cybersecurity program, which is a recognized National Center of Academic Excellence in the field, Huff said.

One of those students, Cameron Jackson, attended Thursday’s announcement and said afterward that it’s important to have infrastructure in place to identify cyber risks.

The university’s cybersecurity program launched four years ago, and Jackson is part of the first class to graduate, he said. Jackson plans to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity at UA Little Rock, which he said means he will likely use the CORE Center in the future.

Jackson said his current courses include studying risk management for local businesses, which results in a security plan that identifies his strengths and weaknesses related to potential cyber attacks.

Cybersecurity student Cameron Jackson poses for a photo following a funding announcement at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock on Oct. 31, 2024.

“In case there is an attack, you want to have a plan,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to hit a building with no exits. It’s a matter of making sure everything is in place, and if something were to happen, you’re there.”

Jackson also noted the importance of establishing resources to protect the older generation, who he said get attacked and tricked “all the time.”

Bain acknowledged that the funding will help “educate and train the cyber experts who will protect our state’s infrastructure, businesses and communities for years to come.”

Griffin said he hopes the university will “redouble” its relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense, which has provided the school with a number of grants over the years.

“There’s a practical role for UALR as a leader in cybersecurity that touches all of our homes — there’s (also) a national security role,” Griffin said. “If you think all countries behave the same in cyberspace, you’re wrong.”