VCC adds cybersecurity, digital forensics

Orlando Business Journal - by Melanie Stawicki Azam Staff Writer

Valencia Community College will offer a new cybersecurity and digital forensics program starting this fall.

The college got a $547,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop the new curriculum within its computer engineering technology associate’s degree program.

The computer forensics and digital forensics field is growing, said Richard Walters, a forensic technician with Data Analyzers, an Orlando firm that does computer forensics and data recovery. Judges and attorneys now recognize the importance of digital artifacts in court, and “we have more devices that are Internet capable where information can be stored.”

Valencia’s new focus could lead to partnerships with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and attract more businesses specializing in these areas, said Gaby Hawat, Valencia’s executive dean for economic development and special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives. “If we put ourselves on the national map that we are doing cybersecurity and homeland security,” he said, “that may give more visibility to the area.”