Yet few workforce development programs provide hands-on training that integrates quantum computing, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, in collaboration with D-Wave Quantum Inc., is addressing this emerging workforce gap with a new $200,000 cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
To that end, FAU is one of nine organizations in eight states selected for NIST’s Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development program.
Builds on Connections
Furthermore, the program builds on workforce partnerships to connect employers, educators and community organizations to strengthen local cybersecurity education and career pathways.
The project comes at a pivotal time for FAU and the state of Florida. FAU will be the first university in Florida to publicly host a dedicated 4,400+ annealing quantum computer through its partnership with D-Wave.
“This NIST award builds directly on Florida Atlantic’s investment in quantum computing and the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s strengths in cybersecurity, AI and advanced computing as well as power infrastructure systems,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Additionally, “with a D-Wave Advantage2 quantum computer coming to our Boca Raton campus, we are building the infrastructure, expertise and workforce needed for the next generation of computing,” Batalama said. “This initiative extends that investment into quantum cybersecurity by giving students and professionals hands-on experience with emerging technologies while preparing the talent needed to protect critical systems and infrastructure.”
Florida Atlantic University has a project tp prepare students and professionals for emerging cybersecurity challenges through hands-on training and career pathways.
Source: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University
The FAU project, “Building the Quantum Cybersecurity Workforce in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Region,” will be led by Yufei Tang, Ph.D., principal investigator and associate professor in FAU’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, director of the FPL Center for Intelligent Energy Technologies (InETech), and faculty fellow of FAU’s Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health.
Co-principal investigators are Hari Kalva, Ph.D., chair and professor, and Zebo Yang, Ph.D., assistant professor, both within FAU’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Prepare for Quantum Future
“D-Wave is proud to partner with Florida Atlantic University on this important project to prepare the next generation of quantum and cybersecurity professionals,” said Allison Schwartz, senior vice president of global government relations and public affairs at D-Wave. “As quantum computing moves from research laboratories into real-world applications, developing a workforce that understands both the opportunities and cybersecurity implications of these technologies is essential. By combining D-Wave’s powerful quantum technologies with FAU’s academic strengths and regional partnerships, this program will help create a pipeline of talent equipped to address the challenges and opportunities of the quantum era.”
The project will leverage FAU’s established cybersecurity workforce programs. They include its NSF-supported CyberCorps SFS and CyberTraining initiatives. It also includes the university’s growing quantum computing capabilities, quantum platforms and simulation resources.
The initiative brings together a broad group of academic, industry, government and K-12 partners. Key partners include D-Wave, a leading quantum computing company; InfraGard South Florida Members Alliance, which connects the FBI with private-sector critical infrastructure stakeholders; the School District of Palm Beach County; Broward County Public Schools; and Alexander D. Henderson University School, FAU’s public laboratory school serving elementary and middle school students.
The project will provide hands-on Quantum Cybersecurity Workshop Series, along with reusable curriculum, case studies and online training materials. Moreover, they will all align with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity and CyberSeek.
Participants will also have access to mentoring, internships and employer engagement. Meanwhile, a regional consortium will connect universities, K-12 schools, industry, government, utilities and community organizations. Those connections will occur across Palm Beach and Broward counties and the Treasure Coast.