CCRI Cybersecurity Advisory Board Meeting - March 12, 2025

Agenda

  • Welcome and Member Introductions
  • CAE Redesignation Update
    • New reporting structure and
    • Work Roles and Competencies
  • Program Changes
    • Outcomes
  • Articulation Updates
    • RIC
    • RWU
  • Other Updates
    • Cyber Club and Competitions
    • Cyber Saturdays
    • CCRI Foundation Grant
    • May 1st Cyber Night
    • May 20th High School Event
    • Status of Cyber Range
  • Summer Camp
  • Discussion

 

Advisory Board Meeting Minute
March 12, 2025
2PM

Members present:

Mike Kelly, William Keough, Molly Donohue Magee, Dr. Frank Tweedie, Anthony Hanos, Patrick Colantonio, Kevin Crawford, Karen Allen, (Virtual) Jenna Matisewski, Mike Steinmetz, Liz Del Sesto

Mike welcomed everyone and members introduced themselves.

Mike briefed the group on the updates regarding CAE redesignation. The redesignation process is transitioning to a competency-based framework, placing a stronger emphasis on hands-on requirements. CCRI has been redesignated until 2028. Input from the Board may be essential as we work on mapping competencies to the NIST standards.

Mike distributed the revised program outcomes, which are now more precise and tailored, offering greater specificity compared to the previous, more general outcomes. This helps them align more directly to the KU’s required by the NSA.

Mike introduced the upcoming Pathways to Cyber Readiness certificate, approved by the OPC 3/19/25 and set to launch in Fall 2025. He provided a chart outlining pathway options for new students and those holding certifications or other credentials, demonstrating how they can transition to another degree or certificate program if they determine that cybersecurity isn’t the best fit for their goals.

Articulation updates include a 2 + 2 agreement with both RIC and RWU. The agreement with RIC has been finalized and is currently in place, while the RWU agreement is pending signatures. The articulation agreements with URI and JWU are already established. JWU and RIC are in the process of developing a transfer system modeled after URI's JAA program. Additionally, JWU offers percentage-based incentives to encourage students to consider a transfer to their institution.

Our cyber club is comprised of a diverse group of students who meet weekly to engage in a wide range of activities, including campus-wide events, community outreach initiatives, CCRI’s Cybersecurity Night, competitions, and hosting guest speakers.

Anthony discussed Cyber Saturdays highlighting the growing attendance and increasing student investment observed each week at the Newport Campus. His efforts are supported by Joe Bransfield of NUWC and George Huey from Microsoft. Currently, over 15 students, comprising both CCRI students and P-TECH students from Rogers High School, regularly attend these Saturday sessions. There is an interest in establishing a similar Cyber Saturday program in Warwick. Additionally, an open house was recently conducted to introduce this initiative to Rogers High School students and their parents.

Adding a weekly schedule that shows the activities and topics for each session has provided a great new way to improve Cyber Saturdays. This helps students know what to expect, making it easier for them to prepare and get involved.

Mike discussed the CCRI Foundation Grant he was awarded, which enabled him to purchase Raspberry Pi devices. These devices can be utilized for various purposes, such as Cyber Saturdays, club activities, summer camps and other engagements.

Our annual Cybersecurity Night is set for Thursday, May 1. JWU may bring their Cyber Club to join the event. CCRI is making efforts to strengthen alumni participation by leveraging tools like LinkedIn to reconnect with graduates. The evening will feature Mike Tetreault Chief of Cyber for Region 1, New England, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Louis DiPalma, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee as guest speakers. The event begins at 5:30, with our Cyber Club hosting a puzzle activity, the Rhode Island Computer Museum, and Anthony and his P-TECH students from Rogers High presenting on various topics.

On May 20, we’re excited to host a brand-new event: Cyber Exploration Day. This event will initially focus on engaging high school students from Aquidneck Island. The day will include three rotations featuring activities led by URI, the CCRI Cyber Club, and a Capture the Flag demonstration on the Cyber Range.

Mike provided updates on the status of the Cyber Range. The Perkins grant for this year, covering through June 30, and the second portion, spanning July 1, 2025, to June 2026, have both been approved. A proposal has also been submitted to Van Beuren, and approval is pending. These grants will both support training and development initiatives utilizing the Cyber Range. Molly remarked that VanBuren is a great fit to support our goals and initiatives.

Anthony is seeking funding to host his Cyber Patriots Camp this summer, which will include exciting elements like a robotics component and an escape room activity.

DISCUSSION

Patrick mentioned the advantage of the LinkedIn Navigator (annual fee version) is that the system will follow LinkedIn members which might make it easier to locate and connect with graduates. He asked if an alumni event could be a possibility.

Frank talked about Cyber Awareness Training, constructing a Cyber Range, and collaborating with CCRI on range exercises and lab challenges for students. He also expressed interest in organizing Cyber Saturdays at JWU.

Mike Steinmetz asked about the types of speakers we need and whether there is a job matching program currently available at CCRI.

Anthony is focused on arranging staffing and securing funding for the Summer Camp. He mentioned reconnecting with SENEDIA, having previously met with them before the pandemic. Additionally, he expressed interest in involving CCRI students in supporting the Summer Camp.

Molly mentioned that Senedia can provide internship opportunities for the Summer Camp and also for Cyber Range work. She also mentioned the Senedia Scholarships for both 2- and 4-year students in STEM and the five Jim Langevin scholarships at $2k each. Molly encouraged reaching out to Senedia to request speakers for on-site.

Will noted that Bally's priorities lie with networking and IT talent. Kevin added that there are Networking /Computer Support pathways in the Computer Studies Department.

Kevin mentioned that we are partners with CompTIA and we will be using their LMS. We are shifting from Cengage to TestOut.

The meeting adjourned approximately at 3:30PM.

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