Welcome to The Citadel DOD Cyber Institute!
The Citadel Department of Defense Cyber Institute (CDCI) was established to address the critical national security need for a skilled and capable cybersecurity workforce. The Department of Defense (DoD) is facing a significant shortage of qualified cyber professionals, both military and civilian, with over 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions nationwide. In response, The Citadel, along with the nation’s five Senior Military Colleges, has each been awarded approximately $1.5 million in federal funding to establish cybersecurity institutes as part of a national pilot program.
The mission of the CDCI is to develop principled leaders who are experts in cybersecurity, equipped with the advanced technical skills, knowledge, and practical experience necessary to immediately contribute to the DoD’s cyber workforce upon graduation.
News and Events
Cyber Leaders Development Program (CLDP)
Citadel cadets selected for the CLDP will pursue a major in Cyber Operations or a major in Computer Science with a minor in Cybersecurity, or a major in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science. Each year, 20 cadets will be selected for CLDP. Selected students will receive a stipend, participate in experiential learning, outreach activities and cyber defense competitions and pursue training on Network+/ Security+ Certifications.
Cyber Lab
A Cyber Lab with the NetLab+ framework and VMware vCloud Director will be implemented where students, through hands-on projects, will develop cyber-competency skills with Network+, and Security+. Cyber Lab will be used for outreach activities for K-12 programs and SC National Guard / State Guard. The CDCI will complement and leverage college-wide resources and expertise from the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences, Center for Cyber, Intelligence and Secure Studies, STEM Center of Excellence, Academic Support Center and The Citadel Career Center.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Citizen
- Citadel Student
- Capable of being granted a Top-Secret security clearance
- Enrolled in a cybersecurity-related field of study (any of the three tracks- a major in Cyber Operations or a major in Computer Science with a minor in Cybersecurity, or a major in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science)
Evaluation Criteria
- Major
- GPA
- Actively engaged with Citadel Cyber Club / Cyber Competitions
- Interest in DoD employment
- Leadership experience
Contact
Shankar M. Banik, PhD
Director
Citadel DoD Cyber Institute (CDCI)
p: (843) 953-5039 f: (843) 953-7391
baniks1@citadel.edu
Linda J. Riedel, COL SCARNG
Deputy Director of Internships & Defense Relations
Citadel DoD Cyber Institute (CDCI)
p: (843) 953-5302 f: (843) 953-7391
riedell1@citadel.edu
William A. Johnson, PhD
Deputy Director of Academic Programs
Citadel DoD Cyber Institute (CDCI)
p: (843) 953-7883 f: (843) 953-7391
wjohns12@citadel.edu
Malory H. Saunders-Gooding
Project Manager
Citadel DoD Cyber Institute (CDCI)
p: (843) 953-2885 f: (843) 953-7391
msaunde4@citadel.edu
Jaret Navarro
Cyber Security Manager
Citadel DoD Cyber Institute (CDCI)
p: (843) 953-4241 f: (843) 953-7391
jnavarr2@citadel.edu