News and Research
Recent News and Media Stories
Cyber Bytes: Staying Protected While Vacationing
In the next installment of Sounds Good's "Cyber Bytes" series, Tracy Ross and Michael Ramage, director of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State's Cyber Education and Research Center, discuss how to stay vigilant against potential cybersecurity threats while on vacation. Ramage says that most of the techniques we can use to stay secure are the same things we would do on an average day at home. The tricky part is remembering these precautions while enjoying leisure time somewhere new.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State students using drones to map Wi-Fi networks for NASA-backed project
A team of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University students have been using drones to map local Wi-Fi networks on the school’s western Kentucky campus. The research project, funded through a NASA-Kentucky grant, could have practical applications concerning drone technology in emergency response situations.
Faculty members receive Faculty Innovation Grant Awards from Giving Back Endowment
MURRAY, Ky. – Four ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University faculty members were selected to receive grants from the Giving Back Endowment’s Faculty Innovation Initiative: Drs. Rupkatha Bardhan, Faris Sahawneh, and Profs. Kari Shemwell and Jake Hildebrant. The effort encourages faculty to incorporate innovative approaches to student community engagement into their courses.
Research Policy Committee honors three faculty with prestigious research awards
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State Alumni Association Distinguished Researcher Award for STEM: Dr. Abdul Yarali, Department of Cybersecurity and Network Management, Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Alumni Association honors Dr. Jamie Rogers with student-nominated 2025 Golden Apple Award
MURRAY, Ky. – ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University President Dr. Bob Jackson, '85, Director of Alumni Relations Carrie McGinnis, '20, Jones College of Science Engineering and Technology Dean Dr. Claire Fuller, family members, colleagues and friends surprised Dr. Jamie Rogers, School of Engineering director and professor, with the 2025 Golden Apple Award during one of his classes in March as this year's ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University Alumni Association (ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵAA) Distinguished Professor.
Partnership between ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University, KCTCS enhances opportunities for students
Leaders from ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System have announced a partnership to enhance opportunities for KCTCS students who are seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State.
Cyber Education and Research Center hosts Tech Mania 2025 for regional high school students
On March 6, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center and the Office of the President hosted more than 160 students from nine different high schools across west Kentucky and northwest Tennessee for Tech Mania 2025, with the aim of encouraging students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and network management (CNM).
Statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management reports enrollment boom, announces new Industrial Cybersecurity Certificate program
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) has experienced an 84 percent enrollment growth rate in its bachelor’s degree program in just three short years. There are 60 new undergraduate cyber students this semester, 30 of whom are first-time freshmen, a new program record.
Cyber Bytes: Taking Asset Inventory
In the next installment of Sounds Good's "Cyber Bytes" series, Tracy Ross and Michael Ramage, director of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State's Cyber Education and Research Center, discuss the importance of asset inventory in organizations' or individuals' cyber security regimens. Of all the different facets of a comprehensive cyber security program, including strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and endpoint detection, Ramage says asset inventory is the most important.
Cyber Education and Research Center welcomes record turnout for Security Matters 2024 event
The annual Patterns of Distinction Awards Luncheon and Security Matters Conference, hosted by ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center, took place on April 25th in the Curris Center with nearly 300 attendees in person, a record turnout for the event. Security Matters was co-hosted by Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) and sponsors included Kaseya Inc, System Solutions Inc., DEVsource and the West Kentucky Gear Up Program.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management recognized nationally for community outreach
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) placed within the top 10 nationally among 400 institutions through a community outreach competition by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD).
Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management designated again as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management designated again as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Cyber Bytes: New NIST Cyber Security Framework
In the next installment of Cyber Bytes, Tracy Ross speaks to Dr. Michael Ramage, Director of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University's Cyber Education and Research Center, about the latest cyber security guidelines set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Cyber Education and Research Center hosts high school tech day: Tech Mania
MURRAY, Ky. – More than 150 students from high schools around west Kentucky and northwest Tennessee recently competed in Tech Mania 2024. ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center and School of Engineering sponsored the competition that encouraged students to consider cybersecurity and network management as potential careers.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University and KCTCS update transfer agreement for CNM bachelor’s program
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) have updated their transfer agreement to satisfy the requirements for the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Information Technologies at KCTCS that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University receives $1.5 million grant for cybersecurity certificate program
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center recently received a $1.5 million three-year grant from the Employment and Training Administration within the Department of Labor through the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to fund a Cybersecurity Analyst Certificate program.
Cyber Bytes: January 2024 Cyber Security Update
In the first Cyber Bytes installment of 2024, Tracy Ross and Michael Ramage, Director of the Cyber Education and Research Center of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University, discuss cyber security updates for the new year. Since the start of the Sounds Good series, Ramage says the state of cyber security has gotten worse due to the increased use of artificial intelligence to hack public institutions and consumers alike.
AT&T Donation for ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State Cybersecurity Scholarships here
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State Cyber Center received a fantastic gift today. Thanks to AT&T for more than 15 years of continued scholarship support for our ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University cybersecurity students. It is always great to catch up with our industry partners, especially when they bring a "big" check. Thank you, AT&T, for your continued support.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University receives two awards at the Kentucky Economic Forum
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University received two awards at the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s (KAED) annual Kentucky Economic Forum in Covington in late October. First, the University earned the Technology Award presented by GIS Web Tech. ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State, through its Cyber Education and Research Center, provides technology and cybersecurity leadership across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as it has done for more than two decades. As part of the Program of Distinction, the Cyber Center provides outreach and support to residents, businesses, local governments and state organizations.
Director Ramage named 2023 Tech Educator of the Year
Sprocket Innovation named ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State Cyber Center Director, Michael Ramage, as the 2023 Tech Educator of the Year in recognition for his hard work of growing tech, innovation and entrepreneurship in Paducah and our region.
Cybersecurity and Network Management hosts successful meeting with high school teachers throughout region
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) recently hosted a meeting with Information Technology teachers from high schools across the region.
Cyber Education and Research Center hosted annual security conference
The annual Patterns of Distinction – Security Matters Conference took place on April 20 in the Curris Center at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University, with more than 200 industry leaders, students and staff attending the conference. For more than 15 years, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State’s Cyber Education and Research Center and Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) co-hosted the conference, the largest annual security conference in the region.
Cybersecurity and Network Management program recognized
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) placed fourth nationally through a community outreach competition by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD).
Cybersecurity and Network Management students participate in Cyber Games
Three students in the Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) program at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University participated in the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Cyber Games Regional Overflow competition on April 8. The ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State team was awarded second place overall in the event.
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State partners with PISCES to support cybersecurity
ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center (Cyber Center) has partnered with the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES) Project to provide security monitoring to local government entities, making ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State the first university in Kentucky to partner on the exciting project to support local partners.