STEM graduate student virtual career fair brings new opportunities to Capitol students - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2931

For master's students, the new year brings a new opportunity at Capitol: a special career event that will enable you to make contacts with employers and build up your network -- all without having to travel to campus!

Capitol Technology University is hosting an online virtual career fair for graduate students in our STEM-focused programs.

This online fair was designed to make it possible for graduate students seeking more connections to potential employers in STEM to be afforded the same opportunities at career advancement as our undergraduates. The event is being held in partnership with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) STEM coalition, which consists of eight other universities with a focus on STEM programming.

 

“We’re really trying to figure out ways we can, in addition to our regular undergraduate career conference, bring unique and innovative opportunities to our students to make sure that they and our employers get face to face contact,” said Sarah Alspaw, Director of Career Development and Student Success.

“There’s only so much I can do as a middle person to communicate the abilities of a student,” says Alspaw.  “This career fair will be an excellent opportunity for students to build up their professional network.”

Attendees will be given the chance to both interact with potential employers on an individual level and to learn more about the companies looking to hire students with their educational background.

In teaming up with other institutions, Capitol has been able to pool our connections to potential employers together with the connections of the eight other schools coming together for the fair. “Because there are eight other universities, with 15,000 graduate students between us, we can bring bigger name companies that are willing to spend the time. There will be information out to our graduate students very soon, and to our partnering employers who we’re going to invite to the fair,” said Alspaw.

The virtual career fair will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, and it will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. To register to participate as an employer, please contact careers@captechu.edu by Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

Capitol hosts IEEE workshop on software-defined devices - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2921

Once, engineers talked about software-defined radios. Now many are talking about “software-defined everything.”

According to SDxCentral, the new term encompasses “any physical item or function that can be performed as or automated by software.” When you tap the Uber app for your ride home from the movies, you’re making use of “software-defined everything.” Other examples, according to SDXCentral, include GoPros, remote-controlled thermostats or security cameras, drones, and self-driving cars.
The rapid expansion of software-defined products and processes was the focus of an IEEE workshop held at Capitol Technology University on Saturday (December 16) and sponsored by the university’s electrical engineering department. The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Yang Guo of NIST’s Internet and Scalable Systems Metrology Group.

Guo briefed participants on software-defined networking (SDN) and SDN-based programmable measurement. Other presentations at the event focused on the Internet of Things, the FCC regulatory picture, the path from 2G to 5G, and the Army Research Laboratory’s use of software-defined radios.
According to Dr. Nayef Abu-Ageel, academic dean at Capitol and chair of the university’s electrical engineering department, the workshop was intended to highlight emerging developments in the market – developments which, he said, could impact curriculum choices.
“We see a need for network engineers to boost their programming skills because of this trend, Abu-Ageel said. “Software is replacing various hardware functions, so it’s important for network engineers to understand the software and how it works.”
A benefit of the event is that it facilitated discussion and exchange of ideas among subject matter experts and faculty members from multiple universities, including Capitol. That kind of interaction creates a valuable synergy, Abu-Ageel said.

It also benefits students. “Capitol has a long-standing mission to provide an education that reflects emerging developments and industry needs, and we achieve this mission in part through partnerships with organizations like IEEE,” Abu-Ageel said. “As  a small, agile institution, we can respond to developments quickly. Our faculty can come back from an event like this with new ideas that they can implement in their courses.”

Capitol is the only independent university in Maryland with a specialized focus on engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and business. For more information on Capitol’s engineering program, contact Dr. Abu-Ageel at mailto:nmabuageel@captechu.edu.

Galaxies of data: Analytics opens new aerospace frontiers - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2936

Astrophysicist Carl Sagan was famous for his use of the word “billions.” As he liked to remind viewers of the TV show Cosmos, a galaxy is composed of billions upon billions of stars.

If he were still around today, Sagan might turn his attention to another large unit of measurement: the gigabyte. Astronomers, astrophysicists, space engineers, and the aviation industry are all increasingly interested in collecting large amounts of data – gigabytes worth of it.

Back in 2012, Nick Skytland, a blogger for the national space agency, wrote, “In the time it took you to read this sentence, NASA gathered approximately 1.73 gigabytes of data from our nearly 100 currently active missions!” Just imagine how much more data they gather now.

“We do this every hour, every day, every year – and the collection rate is growing exponentially. Handling, storing, and managing this data is a massive challenge,” he wrote.
NASA uses that data for a myriad of purposes, ranging from space weather predictions to optimizing payloads during rocket launches.

 “Our data is one of our most valuable assets,” said Skytland, “and its strategic importance in our research and science is huge. We are committed to making our data as accessible as possible, both for the benefit of our work and for the betterment of humankind through the innovation and creativity of the over seven billion other people on this planet who don’t work at NASA.”

Outside of NASA, private space companies such as Orbital and Space-X are also keen to harness the power of data. Gathering and correctly interpreting the data can be crucial to everything from manufacturing processes to deciding on launch dates.

However, data-driven decision making requires more than just the ability to harvest raw numbers. It requires professionals with analytical skills who can draw accurate conclusions from the vast quantities of incoming information.

Equipping professionals with data analytics skills is the mission of Capitol Technology University’s new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business analytics, unveiled this month with enrollment open now for the Fall 2018 semester.

“Business analytics is the degree right now,” says Dr. Michael Fain, Director of Doctoral Programs for Capitol Technology University. “It is cutting edge. It subscribes to best practices. Whatever formulas business leaders are using to guide their strategic plans – whether those plans be for one year or five years – only when they begin using concepts and paradigms involving data analytics can real, substantive decision-making emerge.”

For aspiring business analysts with a particular interest in the space arena, Capitol offers the advantage of close connections to NASA as well as to private firms such as The Hammers Company, which recently established a new Space Flight Operations Training Center on the Capitol campus.
The university has a longstanding relationship with NASA, partnering with them on projects like our recent Cactus-1 satellite mission as part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. And our location, right in between Baltimore and Washington D.C., is nearby the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Capitol has an ongoing commitment to partnering with federal agencies and the private sector in order to keep abreast of specific needs in the field,” said the university’s chief academic officer, Dr. Helen Barker. “We use that to shape the curricula in our programs, including business analytics.”
Capitol is offering three degrees in business analytics: a bachelor of science in business analytics at the undergraduate level, an MBA in business analytics, and a doctorate level PhD. The doctoral degree is offered online, making it a perfect fit for aerospace engineers and other professionals seeking to boost their analytics skills.

To learn more about NASA’s need for data engineers click here to read Skytland’s article. 

At technology-focused Capitol, Cyber Battle Team is the sports star - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link:  https://www.captechu.edu/node/2916

The events are intense. They’re fun. And they help cyber security bachelor’s degree students put the concepts they’ve learned into practice, testing their skills against competitors in a real-time environment.

Cybersecurity competitions, like the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (MACCDC), have become an integral part of education in the field. With a national discussion in progress on how to meet the critical shortage of cyber security professionals, many see such competitions as essential to building the needed skills.

Studying cybersecurity at Capitol, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the MACCDC as well as other contests, such as the National Cyber League competition season, MITRE Cyber Academy’s Capture the Flag (CTF) event, and the Maryland Cyber Challenge. As a university with a specialized focus on engineering and technology, Capitol’s Cyber Battle Team is in the limelight, much as athletic programs are at many other schools.

“This is our sports team,” says Dr. William Butler, head of the cybersecurity program at Capitol. “Every year, they make us proud.”
Experience in cyber competitions builds skills that go beyond what can be taught in a classroom, says Professor Rick Hansen, the team coach. In a competitive environment, students learn to think quickly and make precise, on-the-spot decisions.

“At our heart, we’re all competitive beings,” Hansen says. “From an early age, it’s how we learn – we play and we compete with each other.  It teaches you lessons you can’t learn in any other way.”

Aspiring cyber warriors at Capitol not only have the benefit of attending a highly ranked cybersecurity program – designated a Center of Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency -- but they also have access to the school’s Cyber Lab, a unique training resource.

“The Cyber Lab has equipment, training software, and staff who are there to help,” Hansen says. “Students can set up their own cyber playground at the lab and practice the challenges and exercises that they’re most interested in.”

The Cyber Battle Team lineup changes each year as students progress through the program, with seasoned competitors serving as mentors to their younger counterparts. In this way, new students quickly master the learning curve and a cohesive team is built in time for the competition season, which typically gets under way in January.

“When it all comes together, it’s magic,” Hansen says.

Want to be part of the action? Click here to request information about Capitol’s cybersecurity programs or send an email to cybersat@captechu.edu to learn about upcoming events.

Cyber’s increased role in warfare heightens need for expertise - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2906

Want to serve your country and protect against dangerous adversaries? Increasingly, acquiring cybersecurity expertise is of pivotal importance.

The US Army drove that point home on Wednesday (December 13) when it announced plans to deploy teams of cyber warriors in order to intercept enemy intelligence or thwart planned attacks.

Today’s warfighter has to think out of the box and ask questions such as “how can I influence by non-kinetic means? How can I reach up and create confusion and gain control?” Colonel William Hartman of the U.S Cyber Command in comments to reporters Wednesday.

The U.S. military has used cyberwarfare to hinder ISIS networks, including by altering messages sent by ISIS commanders with the result that militants are sent into the path of drone or plane strikes, according to New York Times article quoted by the AFP. Denial of service attacks are also used against adversaries, AFP said.

The Coast Guard, meanwhile, has placed cybersecurity capability on the same level of importance as procuring new vessels or aircraft. “We’re going to operate in cyberspace just like we have in the maritime domain for over 227 years,” American Security Today quoted the Guard’s cyber commander, Rear Adm. Kevin Lunday, as saying.

At Capitol Technology University, home of the nation’s first doctoral program in cybersecurity, students are carrying out innovative research into the military implications of computer networks and the possible use of cyber tools on the battlefield.

In 2013, Capitol doctoral student Dr. Warren D. Lerner conducted a study on using artificial neural networks to determine the location of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). More recently, a 2016 dissertation by Kui Zeng focused on cybersecurity requirements in the defense acquisition process.

“The strategic and military implications of cybersecurity are a central concern at Capitol,” Dr. Helen G. Barker, chief academic officer, said. “Many of our faculty, including program chair Dr. William Butler, come to us with a military background, and we get quite a few doctoral students who come here specifically to address research problems related to defense or national security challenges.”

In addition to doctoral research, Capitol is helping to meet the need for cybersecurity expertise through programs at the undergraduate and master’s level. The university actively seeks to make these programs available and affordable to military personnel through a tuition discount program.
Under the program, tuition is $250 per credit for all active duty service members pursuing undergraduate degree programs, and $350 for all active duty service members pursuing master’s degree programs.

“Meeting the career and educational needs of our country’s servicemen and servicewomen has long been part of our mandate as an institution,” said Capitol’s senior vice president for enrollment and marketing, Dianne O’Neill. “Military personnel who have received cybersecurity training as part of their service may well find that Capitol is an ideal opportunity to build on that training as they transition into civilian life.”

For more information on cybersecurity programs at Capitol, contact program chair Dr. William Butler at wmbutler@captechu.edu.

Learning the language of cybersecurity - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2901

As in any technical discipline, cybersecurity students learn to master the tools and resources needed for the work they do.

They also become familiar with the terminology used by cybersecurity professionals in the field. Are you interested in studying to become a “white hat hacker” and use your skills to conduct authorized exploits against networks and systems? As a cybersecurity student you’ll find out how. And you’ll also become conversant with the terms below.

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The “CIA Triad,” not to be confused with the Central Intelligence Agency, constitutes the benchmarks that all cybersecurity initiatives measure themselves by. Confidentiality means that only authorized users have access to information. Integrity means that information is accurate and complete. Availability means that authorizers have, in fact, the ability to access the information.

McCumber Cube. Organizations are complex, as are their information needs and security goals. A cybersecurity framework developed by John McCumber in 1991 uses a Rubik’s Cube as a way of conceptualizing this complexity and identifying the many factors involved. The cube brings together desired goals (confidentiality, integrity, and availability), information states (storage, transmission, and processing), and safeguards (policies and practices, human factors, and technology).

Defense in Depth. Also dubbed the “Castle Approach,” defense-in-depth refers to the strategy of creating security controls at multiple levels throughout an IT system. In doing so, should any one security control fail, others will continue to provide protection.

Penetration testing. To identify possible weaknesses, organizations sometimes authorize cybersecurity professionals to launch attacks on computer systems with the goal of uncovering security holes. This kind of authorized intrusion is sometimes colloquially known as “white hat hacking.”

Zero Day Attack. Sometimes cyber adversaries will find out about a software flaw before the maker or vendor of that software becomes aware of the problem. They will then hurry to take advantage of the vulnerability before it is discovered and fixed. Such scenarios – which can include planting malware or accessing sensitive data -- are known as a “zero day attack.”

Business Analytics: Position yourself for the growth industry with a degree from Capitol - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2891

In a competitive world, success depends on finding and maintaining an edge – and that requires making data-driven decisions.

The reward for sound decision-making is improved market share. The punishment for unwise decisions, in today’s economy, can be ruthless. That’s why organizations in an ever-expanding array of industries – from sports to health care to cybersecurity – are seeking out professionals with the expertise needed to utilize data effectively.

With a degree in business analytics from Capitol, you could be one of those highly sought-after professionals. Capitol offers business analytics with a difference – the data difference.

“As a student in business analytics here at Capitol, you would learn how analytics helps shape strategic plans at organizations or universities, whatever business you are involved in.” says Dr. Michael Fain, the university’s director of doctoral programs. “Numbers and data should drive the decisions that administrators make for their mission, vision, and value of their respective organizations. As a student here we teach you how to take data, or numbers, and plug these numbers in to help leadership come up with a strategic plan.”

Capitol Technology University offers multiple degrees in business analytics – a bachelor of science, a technical MBA, and a PhD in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences. The master’s and doctoral programs are offered online, bringing these opportunities within reach of working professionals and career changers.

The time to seize these opportunities is now. In a December 2016 report, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) cited a “continuing shortage of analytics talent,” with data scientists in particularly high demand. MGI found that average wages for data scientists rose by about 16% between 2012 and 2014, at a time when overall wages were increasingly by only 2%
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster-than-average, 12% growth for management analysts between 2016 and 2026. For data scientists, the demand is astonishingly robust, with job postings increasing by 361% between 2013 and 2016, according to EAB. Data analysts, meanwhile, saw an 83% growth in opportunities during the same period.
But where are the professionals with the skills to help companies do that? According to McKinsey, there’s an acute shortage. The US economy alone – not to mention the rest of the globe – needs approximately 140,000 to 190,000 professionals with deep analytical skills, and as many as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the knowhow needed to transform data into effective decision-making.

Capitol’s business analytics programs prepare you to take advantage of these trends because of their strong data focus. With such expertise under your belt, you’ll have a panoply of industries and careers to choose from. You could be the sports analyst who helps a struggling team regain glory, as happened with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. You could be the savvy political consultant who leads a client to a come-from-behind win. You could locate the competitive edge for a manufacturer or retailer. You could help companies protect vital assets by analyzing threats. You could ensure that health care practitioners are better able to meet the needs of patients.

The list is potentially endless. In today’s economy, every type of business needs data engineers.
“Whether you are working for the federal government, whether you’re working for a local government, whether you’re working for the private or public sector, a degree in business analytics will serve to enhance you professionally for many years to come,” Fain says.

Why study Business Analytics at Capitol? For starters, Capitol’s faculty are working professionals in the field – subject matter experts who apply their knowledge on a daily basis and are up to speed on emerging developments. “These are individuals who are actually doing the work that they are training students to invest in,” Fain said.

Capitol has a longstanding focus on practical, hands-on education and an unparalleled focus on students. “I think that our program is unique in that we are very student focused. Even in the virtual world, we have an open door policy and we are available for our students, Fain said.
Want to learn more? Contact the admissions department at admissions@captechu.edu or sign up for an undergraduate open house or a graduate information session. With a business analytics degree, the sky’s the limit. And Capitol will get you there.

Eyeing a security clearance? It helps to be prepared - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2886

It’s the passport into a world of opportunities within government, defense, and other sectors: a security clearance. For students in some fields, such as cybersecurity, being able to obtain one is an absolute must.

“It represents, for the federal government, a way of determining that you can be trusted,” notes Sarah Alspaw, associate director of career services at Capitol Technology University. Getting a clearance is a high priority for many students at Capitol given the school’s focus on engineering and technology fields and its close links to federal employers.

“We work with a lot of employers that require security clearances,” Alspaw said.

Whether aiming for a confidential, secret, top secret, or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance, students need to think ahead to the clearance process, understand the requirements, and be aware of potential red flags, she said.

1. Find a sponsor. Job-seekers going into the federal employment marketplace often face a Catch-22: you need a clearance to land certain jobs, but a clearance can’t be obtained unless a company or organization is willing to sponsor the process. “You can’t just run out and obtain a clearance on your own,” Alspaw notes.

Traditionally, employers would provide “contingent” job offers, in which a candidate is first hired and then goes through the clearance process under company sponsorship. Nowadays, though, many companies are looking for applicants who have already been cleared through some prior position, stated Alspaw.

Cybersecurity bachelor’s students can position themselves ahead of graduation by doing internships that lead to a clearance, she said. Capitol works with programs such as the National Security Scholars Program (NSSP), which includes a security clearance as part of its scholarship package, and also connects students with internships that can get them on track.

2. Ditch the illegal downloads. Does the federal government really care that you watch pirated movies or grab your favorite music from file-sharing networks? The answer is yes, Alspaw says – those FBI warnings at the start of a DVD are for real, and involvement in piracy will count as a serious strike against you when applying for the clearance. “That includes not only illegally downloading music and movies, but also textbooks,” comments Alspaw. “Textbooks are a big deal among university students, obviously, but if you’re getting materials that you should have paid for, for free, you’re breaking the law.”

Clearance seekers are hooked up to polygraphs and asked a range of questions that cover topics including online behavior, and they must also disclose such information on the SF-86 application form.

3. Get Your Finances in Order. In vetting clearances, the Secret Service is particularly alert to issues that could expose an applicant to blackmail or induce acts of espionage. Financial woes are high on the red flag list. “Having student loans or credit cards isn’t a problem,” Alspaw says. “But having outstanding credit card or loan debt is.” To help students avoid such pitfalls, Capitol provides training in financial literacy as part of the Freshman Seminar that all undergraduates must take.

4. Steer Clear of Drugs. Investigators will conduct a thorough check to ensure you are not using illicit substances. “Don’t take anything that hasn’t been prescribed to you,” Alspaw says. “If you’re found to have used drugs of any kind illegally within 365 days prior to your application, that’s an automatic disqualification.”   Investigators will also contact family members, friends, and roommates who may disclose instances of substance abuse.

5. Don’t Broadcast Your Status. The fact that you’ve applied for or received a clearance should be kept private. Publicizing such status, in addition to breaching the rules, can lead to being targeted for social engineering efforts by adversaries. “Keep in mind that in the security field, you may be discouraged not only from revealing your clearance, but also from talking about your job. Some of our former students aren’t even allowed to tell people where they work,” Alspaw says.

Top-secret and SCI levels of clearance are often required for the career paths of greatest interest to Capitol students. “Due to the subject matter we teach here, many of our students are looking at careers with the NSA or with companies serving the nation’s intelligence and defense needs” said Alspaw. These fields of study can lead to widely impactful careers. Being prepared to apply for a security clearance brings our students one step closer to making a difference.

Capitol’s new chief academic officer, Dr. Helen G. Barker: “We’re at an exciting juncture for the university” - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2881

Since coming to Capitol in 2000, Dr. Helen G. Barker has served the university in many capacities: first as an adjunct professor, then as a member of the full-time faculty, and subsequently as academic dean.
She has helped countless students at the graduate and undergraduate levels, mentored faculty, and spearheaded new programs.  Now, as Capitol enters an era of new presidential leadership and expansion, Dr. Barker brings her experience and vision to a pivotal role at the university: that of chief academic officer (CAO).
Dr. Barker became CAO in the fall of 2017 and will chart a course forward as Capitol launches multiple new programs, including a PhD in technology, a master’s program in cyber analytics, as well as undergraduate and graduate programs in business analytics.
In the following interview, Dr. Barker highlights her priorities as CAO and also discusses some of the characteristics that distinguish Capitol from other colleges and universities.
What are your primary goals as CAO? What do you most want to accomplish?
I aim to foster a culture of growth at the university – a culture that thinks not only about where we are now, but where we can be, and what we can conceivably do. How can we make what we do even better and more exciting?
It’s not a top-down agenda; it’s an everybody agenda. We’re looking for creativity and innovation to spread throughout the institution. We’re a team in this journey that will shape what Capitol becomes in the future.
What perspectives do you bring with you as someone who has been a faculty member?
I bring the perspective of someone who understands faculty concerns, and also the perspective of someone who has worked closely with students for many years. I have an up-close understanding of the teaching and learning environment that our faculty delivers to students.
As CAO, my role involves finding the right balance between different sets of concerns. There are many great ideas out there for programs, classes, or resources, but not all these ideas align with the Capitol mission. And not all of them are viable from a budgetary standpoint. As an administrator, it’s part of my job not only to make these calls, but to convey to other stakeholders in the university the reasons for making them – the parameters we are working within. Because I’ve been a faculty member and a dean, I feel I’m in a good position to foster a productive dialogue among students, faculty, and administration.
While a faculty member, what are some essential things that you learned about how to deliver educational value to students?
Number one is to understand that you can and should learn from the students. The classroom is a two-way experience. No matter how bright we think we are as faculty, no matter how much we know, there’s always something to learn. That can mean, for instance, learning new ways of teaching that are effective with a younger generation of students – the millennials. It can mean learning how to better serve students who have a disability.  My experience is that students have greater respect for teachers who understand that education is a two-way process.
I also think it’s essential to stick your neck out on behalf of your students – experiment, modify your game plan as needed, and resist the temptation to stay in your comfort zone.  That could mean, for instance, collaborating with faculty in other disciplines to create a hybrid course, like Dr. Sandy Antunes of the astronautical engineering department has done together with cybersecurity professor Rick Hansen. It can mean taking on a mentoring role for students, as Dr. Garima Bajwa did when she assisted one of our students, Zalika Dixon, in developing a project that eventually went to the Grace Hopper Celebration and won a research award.
Our new president, Dr. Sims, has shown a commitment to encouraging out-of-the-box thinking – and that’s an opportunity we should all be excited about. We all have an opportunity to take Capitol to the next version of who we are.
Higher education is often said to be going through a period of considerable flux, as schools re-evaluate what their mission is and how best to meet the needs of a rapidly changing economy. What do you see as the major challenges?
It’s crucial to stay on top of what the market is looking for, while continuing to adhere to the highest educational standards and the requirements for accreditation.  Students need the fundamentals as well as specialized academic skills. It can sometimes be a delicate balance. A given program has a prescribed number of credits. Students pay tuition for all of these credits. We don’t want students racking up massive debts paying for courses that aren’t relevant to their educational and career tracks. At the same time, we don’t want students graduating without a solid, well-rounded education that includes critical thinking and the liberal arts.
For a small, independent university like Capitol, budgets are always a challenge.  At the same time, tight budgets can fuel creative thinking and wise decision-making. Capitol has thrived over the years because we’ve made good choices. Small size is also an asset in that it makes us more agile; we can respond more quickly.
What are some things about Capitol that inspire you, that make you feel excited to be here?
This is a close-knit, caring community. Not long ago, a member of our adjunct faculty became ill while teaching requiring emergency care. She told us later that she realized that day how genuinely concerned we all are here about each other’s well-being. It’s the Capitol culture. We’ve created an environment of caring, dedicated, hard-working people who think in terms of what’s good for the school, for the students, and for each other as members of the university community. I appreciate working in this type of environment.

Capitol Astronautical Engineering Students Put Finishing Touches on Cactus-1 CubeSat - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2876

It’s the moment every astronautical engineer involved in satellite missions looks forward to: the launch date.
That’s when the weeks of effort – the team meetings and problem-solving sessions, the copious time spent in the lab, the seemingly endless adjustments and rebuilds -- reach their culmination. The planning and preparation transform into measurable results. For the Capitol Technology University astronautical engineering student team involved in the university’s Cactus-1 satellite mission, that moment is fast approaching. NASA is expected to confirm a date for lift-off within the coming months.
“Cactus-1 is launching in the spring or summer of next year and we’re in our final integration steps,” says Dr. Alex “Sandy” Antunes, the astronautical engineering professor who has mentored the student-led project team. “We’re soldering up the flight boards. Instead of green and black practice boards, you’re going to be seeing the white ones that are used for flight. Because they reflect sunlight, they have better thermal properties.”
Although the Cactus-1 payloads – a debris-capturing tool that uses an aerogel substrate, and a communications experiment – have generated the most attention, there are other, less glamorous aspects to the project that require just as much effort, Antunes pointed out.
“There’s also the bus,” he said. “That’s the power and coms and the computer that controls everything and makes it all work. It’s the least sexy and probably most difficult part of the system because if any part of the bus fails, everything dies” Especially since CACTUS-1 involves multiple student teams that depend on each other for overall mission success.
Lead engineer Pierce Smith, a senior, can be found most afternoons in the clean room of Capitol’s Space Operations Institute (SOI), busily soldering or checking specifications. “We’ve finished most of the design work and have reached the point where we’re saying ‘okay, it’s going to work – we’re ready to build!’”
CACTUS-1 is one of fourteen CubeSats selected for the CubeSat Launch Initiative, representing universities, non-profit organizations, and NASA field centers. Other schools chosen for CSLI include Arizona State, Cornell, Colorado State, Michigan State and the University of Central Florida.
It brings together two student projects – the TRAPSat debris-capturing experiment and Project Hermes, which is exploring methods of satellite command and control via TCP-IP. The teams have morphed over the years as members graduate and new members join.
With the mission now in its final stretch, Smith says it will be deeply rewarding for students to see their endeavors come to fruition.
“I’ve designed a lot of the boards and the mechanical parts and all of those parts are here now. It’s pretty cool to …see them actually made, to see that they will be flying. I think that’s the coolest thing for me,” he said.

Ojo: Data Analytics Can Improve Disaster Relief - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2871

When Typhoon Haiyan struck Southeast Asia in 2013, an estimated 6,300 people died in the Philippines alone, and millions were displaced. Williams Ojo, a doctoral student in Capitol Technology University’s PhD program in business analytics and decision sciences, believes those numbers would have been smaller if relief efforts had not been hampered by problems with communication and information management.
“There was a gap in terms of trying to identify precisely the number of people affected and the number of nurses and doctors that needed to be deployed in specific areas,” recalls Ojo, who served as an World Health Organization (WHO) information systems management officer in the wake of the disaster. “I observed that some locations had more doctors and nurses than needed, while others did not have enough. This was because of the lack of an integrated database.”
Lessons learned from the Haiyan relief efforts were the subject of Ojo’s presentation to the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI) conference in Washington, DC, held in November. Data analytics and modelling provide tools that can enable resources to be allocated more precisely, Ojo said in his conference paper, Information Management During Disaster Response in Visayas Region of the Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan Experience.

Steps proposed by Ojo include the development of a simulation model that harnesses data from multiple sources, including satellite imagery and census information, to predict the human resources and medical supplies required for a given community.
Children, pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly all have different sets of needs, and data-driven modelling could allow relief agencies to calibrate their assistance more precisely, he said.
“If we have baseline data regarding the population, number of health facilities, and human resources in a given area, then we can use modelling to determine the appropriate number of doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, and other personnel that need to be sent to that area during an emergency,” Ojo said.
As a presenter at the annual Decision Sciences (DSI) Institute conference, Ojo had the opportunity to share his work and exchange ideas with a global community of decision scientists, all attending one of the key professional events in the field. The DSI holds its annual conference each fall at different locations around the world.
Ojo, who began his doctoral studies at Capitol in the spring of 2017, plans further research into the use of analytics and modelling tools as he completes his PhD dissertation in business and analytics, one of three online doctorates available at the university.
Capitol’s doctoral program in cybersecurity, launched in 2010, was the first of its kind and has received successive Center of Excellence designations from the DHS and NSA. In 2014, the university established its PhD program in business analytics and decision sciences, and in 2017 Capitol unveiled a new PhD in technology.  For more information about Capitol’s programs, contact gradmit@captechu.edu

Professor: Rise of Mobile Is Changing The Cybersecurity Field - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2841

Do you remember a time when you used your mobile phone simply to make phone calls?

For most, those days now seem like the distant past. Smartphones have now become integrated into nearly every aspect of our lives. We use them to monitor our health. We use them to track our exercise routines. We use them to help us get where we’re going, and to keep abreast of the information we need.

And we use them to make financial transactions and shop.

Along with our increased dependence on mobile devices comes increased interest among cybercriminals and hackers. For cybersecurity professionals, this means a proliferation of new attack surfaces – and a major challenge when it comes to securing them.

“We’re at a game-changing moment in the field,” the chair of Capitol’s cybersecurity program, Dr. William Butler, says. “Suddenly everyone is carrying around these powerful, miniature computers, all connected to the internet, and all containing sensitive information that you do not want the wrong people to gain access to.”

“The potential risks are mind-boggling. And we have to figure out how to protect against them.”

The two major mobile platforms – Apple and Android – reflect starkly different philosophies, each with its pros and cons. Android’s operating system, developed by Google, is mainly open-source – an asset to app developers that comes with a potential cost in terms of security. Vulnerabilities are addressed through patches, which must then be applied by the individual vendor that sells you your phone. According to Slate magazine tech writer Dan Gilmour, Android is a “freewheeling mess.”

Apple, by contrast, controls its operating system tightly and automatically sending updates to iPhones. But the closed nature of the Apple environment, critics argue, hampers its flexibility.

Besides the question of how to secure current devices, there is also the problem of older devices that are still in use – but lagging far behind in terms of security.

“A major issue is protecting millions of legacy devices currently in use, which do not have the capability to implement the latest countermeasures (multi-factor authentication, encryption, VPN to name a few),” Butler notes. “The threat to these Internet-connected devices is very real and continues to evolve quickly as public reliance on these devices increases.”

At Capitol, Butler and other cybersecurity faculty are helping educate students to meet the challenges posed by mobile. The Capitol cybersecurity program, a DHS and NSA-designated Center for Excellence in cybersecurity education, draws its faculty from professionals working in the field and updates its curriculum regularly to reflect emerging developments, including the rising prevalence of mobile.

“The challenges are many,” Butler says, “but the rewards presented by these emerging technologies are two important to forgo their use.”

For more information on cybersecurity programs at Capitol, contact Dr. Butler at 240-965-2458 or whbutler@captechu.edu