Cyber Defense Center

College Western Idaho's Cyber Defense Center advances cybersecurity awareness and best practices by sharing timly information, news, events, and resources with Idaho students, businesses, and communities. Built on more than a decade of experience, the CDC supports U.S. Federal Government, State of Idaho, and industry initiatives in cyber defence promoting a safer digital environment across the Treasure Valley and beyond. 

Student in the Cyber Defense Center at a computer

What We Do

  • Enhance cybersecurity for communities, businesses, and individuals in Idaho.
  • Share strategies to mitigate cyber threats.
  • Provide access to cybersecurity news and events.
  • Highlight CWI's cybersecurity efforts.
  • Partner with local schools and businesses for cybersecurity.
  • Offer cyber defense information and outreach.
  • Promote strong cyber practices and education.
  • Promote CWI cybersecurity activities. 

Tour the College's Security Operations Center

Student engaging in written homework.

Cybersecurity at CWI

CWI is committed to advancing high-quality cybersecurity education and workforce training. Since 2009, the College has offered hands-on, industry-relevant programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity. Through the Idaho Cyber Education Initiative, CWI partners with institutions statewide to provide students in Computer Science and Information Technology programs with collaborative learning experiences and a strong community dedicated to cybersecurity excellence.

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of business, technical, military, and industry leaders from throughout the Treasure Valley advises CWI’s cybersecurity administration and faculty on current trends and long-term directions for the program. In this manner, CWI's TAC ensures its program curriculum meets the cybersecurity industry need for a dynamic workforce. Through participation in internships, cooperatives, and job placement programs, students receive specialized training in their cybersecurity career pathway. 

Learn More about CWI's Cybersecurity Program

Accreditation Status

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CWI received accreditation designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in March 2023. 

To meet the standards required to become a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, CWI's Cyber Defense Center stepped up its community outreach and participation in events organized by the National Security Agency's (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence cybersecurity community. CWI's Cyber Defense Center is also providing training in cybersecurity for high school teachers in the Treasure Valley and hosting cybersecurity summer camps for high school students in partnership with Boise State University and the Idaho National Laboratory. 

Resources

The National Cyber League (NCL) Competition – Cyber Skyline 
NCL’s mission is to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by providing high school and college students, as well as their coaches, an online, safe platform of real-world cybersecurity challenges.

The NCL's virtual training ground features a competitive process and a supportive community, helping students develop, improve, and validate their cybersecurity skills. Students’ progress and strengths are validated through their individual Scouting Reports and team rankings, enabling recruiters to easily determine the students’ fit for open positions.

Cyber Force Competition – Department of Energy 
The CyberForce Competition is the original competition that started the program back in 2016. This is a defend/attack cyber-physical scenario.

Cyber Panoply  
Panoply, a Network Security Competition, is a network assessment and network defense competition combined into a single event. Teams of students compete for control of common resources and the critical services on those resources. Once a team takes possession of a resource, they must secure that resource against attacks from other teams and maintain the critical services running on the resource. Teams accumulate points for controlling and operating critical services such as SMTP, DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and so on.

picoCTF  
picoCTF is a two-week long, timed CTF competition. Challenges increase in difficulty as players progress. While all are welcome to join, this picoCTF is recommended for players with some programming knowledge. Players with no previous programming or CTF experience may prefer the noncompetitive picoGym challenges.

Whether you are a cybersecurity professional, competitive hacker, or new to CTFs you will find interesting challenges in the picoGym you can solve at your own pace. Team picoCTF will regularly update this challenge repository, so visit the picoGym often.

National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCCDC) 
NCCDC competitions ask student teams to assume administrative and protective duties for an existing 'commercial' network — typically a small company with 50+ users, 7 to 10 servers, and common internet services such as a web server, mail server, and e-commerce site.

NIATEC Invitational Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Registration (NICCDC)
The NICCDC, hosted by the National Information Assurance Training and Education Center's (NIATEC), is a regional collegiate cyber defense competition. Participants will be immersed in an environment where they will be required to manage resources and information systems by applying cybersecurity principles and tools to perform the tasks related to system security administration, digital forensics, secure software development, security policy development and compliance, industrial control systems, and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework. Participants will incorporate the information assurance principles outlined in federal policy and standards such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) special publications, Risk Management Framework (RMF), Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). This competition exposes participants to the above-mentioned information assurance attributes through the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. 

Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge  
The Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge, hosted by Boise State University's Venture College, is a ‘reverse pitch’ competition, meaning participants do not have to bring their own idea. Participants will choose a problem provided by industry partners and propose a solution in the form of a new venture. Teams will compete for cash prizes as they solve cybersecurity challenges critical to industry growth while building a viable venture for themselves and making helpful connections to mentors and industry leaders.

Venture College will lead participants through a week-long sprint to test, validate, and launch their venture. Teams will be working with industry experts, business leaders, and mentors to help them craft their venture and pitch.

Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS)  
WiCyS, a global community of women, allies, and advocates, is dedicated to bringing talented women together to celebrate and foster their passion and drive for cybersecurity. The organization unites local communities of aspiring and thriving women cybersecurity professionals across the world to collaborate, share their knowledge, network, and mentor. We create opportunities through professional development programs, conferences, career fairs, and more.

GenCyber Student Camps   
The GenCyber program provides cybersecurity experiences for students and teachers at the secondary level. The goals of the GenCyber program are to:

  • Ignite, sustain, and increase awareness of K12 cybersecurity content and cybersecurity postsecondary and career opportunities for participants through year-round engagement.
  • Increase student diversity in cybersecurity college and career readiness pathways at the K-12 level.
  • Facilitate teacher readiness within a teacher learning community to learn, develop, and deliver cybersecurity content for the K-12 classroom in collaboration with other nationwide initiatives.

Wild West Hackin' Fest (WWHF)   
WWHF is committed to offering high-quality information security education to beginners and seasoned professionals alike. With reasonably priced training, conferences, hands-on labs, and workshops, WWHF lowers the barrier to entry for those seeking to enter into the world of information security. WWHF also offers a venue for those already established in the industry to share ideas, give back, and continue learning.

Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Community (CAE-C)
An educational institution designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) has met the rigorous requirements outlined by the National Security Agency. Designated institutions commit to producing high-quality cybersecurity professionals to safeguard the U.S. national infrastructure.

National Initiative For Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
The mission of NICE is to energize, promote, and coordinate a robust community working together to advance an integrated ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.

Montreat 360 Competency Statements
Montreat 360° is built to help students recognize the valuable skills they are gaining and equip them to communicate their skills effectively as they enter the workforce.

Crowdstrike Adversary Universe
Discover the Adversaries targeting the industry.

NIST Cybersecurity
NIST develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices, and other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agency, and the broader public. 

Mobile Device Security
Resources to help you identify threats to mobile devices, and security solutions to better protect enterprise IT.

ISO/IEC Standards
ISO/IEC 27001 is widely known, providing requirements for an information security management system, though there are more than a dozen standards in the ISO/IEC 27000 family. Using them enables organizations of any kind to manage the security of assets such as financial information, intellectual property, employee details or information entrusted by third parties.

MITRE | ATT&CK
MITRE ATT&CK® is a globally-accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. The ATT&CK knowledge base is used as a foundation for the development of specific threat models and methodologies in the private sector, in government, and in the cybersecurity product and service community.

CISA
CISA works with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborates to build a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future.

Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security has a vital mission: to secure the nation from the many threats we face. This requires the dedication of more than 240,000 employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to emergency response, from cybersecurity analyst to chemical facility inspector. Our duties are wide-ranging, and our goal is clear - keeping America safe.

National Security Agency (NSA)
Working to prevent and eradicate cyber threats, the National Security Agency promotes cybersecurity education, research, and career building. 

National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center
The National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center advances cybersecurity education in the U.S. by investing in technological innovation, resources, professional development, and tools to support faculty, community colleges, and the workforce. 

Idaho Cybersecurity Awareness
Protecting Idaho citizens' privacy by safeguarding Idaho's information, data, systems, and infrastructure while establishing strong cybersecurity leadership, awareness, training, best practices, and partnerships.

Cyber Seek
To help close the cybersecurity skills gap, Cyber Seek provides detailed, actionable data about supply and demand in the cybersecurity job market.

CYBER.ORG
CYBER.ORG's goal is to empower educators as they prepare the next generation to succeed in the cyber workforce of tomorrow.

CLARK
CLARK, the Cybersecurity Labs and Resource Knowledge-base, is a platform for building and sharing free cybersecurity curricula. It includes a model for building curriculum, the digital library system, and distinct curriculum collections.

Cybersecurity Education Resource Dictionary
CLARK, the Cybersecurity Labs and Resource Knowledge-Base, is a platform for building and sharing free cybersecurity curricula. It includes a model for building curriculum, the digital library system, and distinct curriculum collections.

National Cybersecurity Student Association
The Nation's largest association of cybersecurity students supporting their cybersecurity endeavors through extracurricular activities, career opportunities, mentoring, and keeping them at the forefront of cybersecurity trends.

National Initiative For Cybersecurity Careers And Studies (NICCS)
The premier online resource for cybersecurity training, education, and career information. NICCS connects government employees, students, educators, and industry with cybersecurity resources and training providers throughout the Nation.

EC-Council
The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, also known as EC-Council, is the world’s largest cyber security technical certification body. 

CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy.

Through education, training, certifications, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA promotes industry growth, the development of a highly-skilled workforce, and a commitment to creating an environment where innovation happens and the opportunities and benefits made possible through technology are available to all.

Infosec
Infosec’s mission is to put people at the center of cybersecurity. As a leading cybersecurity training company, Infosec helps information technology and security professionals advance their careers with skills development and certifications while empowering all employees with security awareness and phishing training to stay cyber safe at work and home.

Through role-guided security training, Infosec's platforms (Infosec IQ, Infosec Skills, and Infosec Skills Live Boot Camps) help individuals and organizations protect their data, mitigate risk, and empower employees.

SANS Institute
SANS Institute empowers and educates current and future cybersecurity practitioners around the world with knowledge and skills through industry-leading community programs, resources, training, certifications, and events.

(ISC)²
(ISC)² information security certifications are recognized as the global standard for excellence allowing individuals to prove their expertise and highlight their skill mastery. Having certified employees allows organizations to be better prepared to protect critical information assets and infrastructures.

(ISC)² created and maintains the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) on which the certifications are based. The CBK defines global industry standards and best practices in information security.

News

News By Tag
Students working at computers

CWI’s Cybersecurity program was ranked 22 out of 150 Associate of Applied Science programs nationally in a new ranking by Cybersecurity Guide.

Read more about CWI Recognized as Top Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program
Cyber students working on a operating system

The week-long daytime event is aimed at teaching high school students the basics of computing, cybersecurity, and information technology through a hands-on, fun, and engaging experience.

Read more about CWI and Boise State Host Cyber Summer Camp
Cybersecurity student working

College of Western Idaho’s Computer Science and Information Technology Department will host a day of education and training to expand cybersecurity knowledge around the state.

Read more about CWI to Host Idaho Cyber Range Day
Student in front of computers

Cybersecurity student, Stanley Ward, was selected out of thousands of students for a national scholarship through his participation in a national cybersecurity competition.

Read more about Cybersecurity Student Awarded National Cyber Competition Scholarship
College of Western Idaho's Cybersecurity team

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho's Cybersecurity team who advanced to the finals and placed fourth at the Future of Work Academy cybersecurity incubator competition.

Read more about Cybersecurity Team Advances to Finals of Nationwide Cybersecurity Competition
2022 Annual Preparedness and Cybersecurity Conference

Cybersecurity Representatives from College of Western Idaho’s Cyber Defense Center took part in the Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s annual Cybersecurity Summit Thursday, Oct. 13.

Read more about Cyber Defense Center Leadership Attends Cybersecurity Summit
Cybersecurity Awareness

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s important to remember to take extra steps to keep you and your information safe. Hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to steal personal...

Read more about Cybersecurity Awareness: Keeping Your Information Safe
Student in computer lab with headphones in

Increase your awareness in cybersecurity by participating in a free, online training provided through Amazon.

Read more about Free Cybersecurity Awareness Training
College of Western Idaho Cybersecurity students win competition.

College of Western Idaho (CWI) Cybersecurity students, Alex Mitchell and Cameron White, joined up to take first place and a cash prize of $12,000 in the Cyber Entrepreneur Challenge. The...

Read more about CWI Cybersecurity Award-Winning Students
Cybersecurity Awareness

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Stay secure by observing the following best practices while using a mobile device.

Read more about Cybersecurity Awareness: Mobile Devices
CISCO networking components

Prepare for a career in the field of information technology with hands-on learning utilizing current technologies in real-world scenarios.

Read more about Networking Technology Programs Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

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