Regent University Awarded a $350K Grant for Cybersecurity Education

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Oct. 9, 2024) – Regent University has been awarded a two-year grant (H98230-24-1-0101) totaling more than $350K from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, a program of the National Security Agency.

This grant will fund a capacity-building initiative aimed at expanding Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) education and hands-on experiences for both current and prospective students.

“Regent University’s cybersecurity program has forged ahead as an innovation leader in the region,” said Dr. Cheryl Beauchamp, Director, Institute for Cybersecurity. “This generous grant will allow the university’s program to keep pace with the evolving sophistications of cyber and AI threats to further equip the next generation of professionals with the ability to keep our digital infrastructures protected.”

CPS, which include critical infrastructures such as transportation systems, healthcare facilities, and utilities, face increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats. Recent events, such as the compromised pager devices, a telecommunication CPS, highlight the growing need for skilled professionals who can safeguard these systems. Hackers are targeting CPS and other critical infrastructures, escalating the demand for cybersecurity specialists with expertise in this area.

Despite this need, many academic programs lack sufficient opportunities for students to engage with CPS and operational technology. This grant will provide essential equipment, enhance program offerings, and foster collaboration with Air Force Institute of Technology enabling Regent University to bridge this gap and solidify its position as a leader in cybersecurity education and training.

Through this initiative, Regent University will empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, ensuring they are prepared to protect critical infrastructure from emerging threats as Christian Leaders to Change the World.

For information on the extensive curriculum in cybersecurity offered at Regent University, please visit the following websites:

• Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
• B.S. in Cybersecurity
• B.S. in Cyber & Digital Forensics
• M.S. in Cybersecurity
• M.S. in Cybersecurity – Cybersecurity Practitioner
• M.S. in Cybersecurity – Cybersecurity Management
• MBA – Cybersecurity Management
• M.A. in Law – Cybersecurity Law

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with more than 13,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 13 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2025).

To support the Royals Rise capital campaign, visit www.regent.edu/royalsrise.

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