New partnership brings increased experiential learning opportunities for cybersecurity students

OHIO students studying cybersecurity in the Scripps College of Communication’s J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies (ECT) will now have increased opportunities to get professional training and earn industry credentials.

The ECT is partnering with Check Point SecureAcademy to enhance the cybersecurity workforce and become part of the global effort to prepare today’s students with vital cyber skills to protect our digital future. 

“The partnership provides enhanced opportunities for existing and future students at OHIO, enabling them to master their cybersecurity skills through immersive learning and hands-on experience,” said ECT Assistant Professor Rishabh Das. “Students can access on-demand courses, acquire industry-recognized certifications at an 85% discount, and train in a real-world threat landscape.”

This announcement comes as a new B.S. in Cybersecurity Operations is about to begin at Ohio University. Starting in the fall of 2025, the new degree program will prepare students to protect digital assets, defend against cyber threats and ensure security of business operations.

The interdisciplinary program is offered through ECT at OHIO, in collaboration with the Ohio University College of Business and Russ College of Engineering and Technology, and will combine the technical, analytical and operational skills needed in the industry.

Das worked with his connections in the industry to bring the SecureAcademy partnership to Ohio University. With over a decade of hands-on experience in operating, troubleshooting, and supervising control systems in the oil and gas industry, Das has become a recognized leader in the field of cybersecurity. His award-winning work in developing security architectures and detection algorithms has significantly advanced the protection of legacy industrial controllers against cyber threats. He says this new partnership is a game changer for students.

“The SecureAcademy program creates a comprehensive training pathway for students entering the cybersecurity workforce, providing foundational knowledge and certification opportunities in topics like cloud security, security automation, and network security. Through the certifications and real-world exercises, the students can hit the ground running and excel in the dynamic cybersecurity landscape,” said Das. “Students can also complete self-paced training and gain badges that provide enhanced visibility to industry recruiters and help them achieve impactful milestones in their cybersecurity journey.”

Besides all the certifications and training, students can decompress and complete gamified escape rooms to engage in fun learning activities. These activities closely mimic actual cyber threats like ransomware attacks and enterprise compromises. Students get placed in a post-incident scenario and use industry-recognized tools to mitigate the threats and solve some of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges in modern infrastructure.

“Providing hands-on opportunities to gain the knowledge needed utilizing professional industry tools aligns with the University’s new Dynamic Strategy,” said Das. “I’m very excited to bring these experiential learning opportunities to our students.”

“Our school prides itself on the breadth and depth of our experiential learning opportunities. The McClure School’s partnership with Check Point SecureAcademy is at the absolute cutting edge of cybersecurity education and workforce development,” said McClure School Director Chip Linscott. “OHIO’s work with Check Point is profound and offers our students a chance to become national leaders in the cybersecurity industry.”

Learn more about the Scripps College of Communication.