CISSP Cyber Security Certification: How the “gold standard” in cyber opens career doors - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/cyber-security-professional-certification-cissp

Certified Information Systems Security Professional. It’s a coveted title in the cybersecurity field. It’s also increasingly the gateway to higher-level employment opportunities.

Do an Indeed.com search using “CISSP” and you’ll bring up over 2,000 opportunities posted in the past 15 days, many in the six-figure salary range.  As security researcher Stephen Cobb notes, more and more companies desire the CISSP designation even for positions that, in the past, would not have required it.

And it’s not an easy designation to earn. To qualify, you’ll need to have been on the job for at least five years, accumulating expertise in at least two of the eight Common Body of Knowledge domains recognized by the International Information Security Systems Consortium (ISC)². Although one year may be waived if you have a college degree, a master’s in information security, or a qualifying certification, the bottom line is clear: the CISSP certification is for seasoned pros.

You’ll also need to pass the six-hour CISSP exam, administered electronically by Pearson VUE. That means earning a score of 700 or higher, out of 1,000 points. Even then, the journey isn’t complete: you’ll also be required to obtain a written endorsement from an (ISC)2-certified professional who can vouch for your experience and skills.

As arduous as the journey may be, the rewards are significant. Writing for CSO magazine recently, Steve Morgan summed these up as follows: salary, knowledge, opportunities for promotion, and opportunities to branch out into different specialization areas.
Because the CISSP covers eight cybersecurity domains, Morgan notes, it can potentially place a broad range of job opportunities within reach – even if your professional experience has been more narrowly specialized.

“The CISSP is the gold standard for certifications in cybersecurity,” says Dr. William Butler, who heads the cybersecurity program at Capitol Technology University. Recognizing its importance, Capitol has aligned its master’s program in cybersecurity with the CISSP’s eight domains, ensuring that graduates gain the broad knowledge expected of a high-level security professional.


“Starting in 2002, we have mapped our master’s degree program to the domains of the CISSP,” Butler notes. “Even before it became widely popular and required by employers, we were preparing our "students with the eight domains covered by the exam.”

“These domains cover all of the essential topics necessary to be successful.”

Capitol has long been a pioneer in the cybersecurity education arena, having launched the nation’s first doctoral program in the field (2010) and, before that, the first master’s degree program. The quality of Capitol’s programs is recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency, which has conferred successive Center for Academic Excellence designations on the Laurel, Maryland-based school.

For more information about the CISSP or cybersecurity at Capitol, contact Dr. Butler at wmbutler@captechu.edu

Capitol again named a military-friendly school, receives bronze award - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/Capitol%20named%20military%20friendly%202017

Capitol Technology University’s long commitment to meeting the higher education needs of America’s servicemen and women has earned it successive designations as a military-friendly school.
This year is no exception. Capitol is among those receiving the coveted designation in the 16^th annual Military Friendly Schools list, released by Victory Media on Friday (December 15). The university also received a bronze award in recognition of the opportunities and resources it offers to military personnel and veterans.

“We are delighted to be recognized again for our efforts to foster academic and career opportunities for the men and women who serve and protect our country,” said Dr. Bradford L. Sims, president of Capitol Technology University. “Capitol’s academic programs are a natural fit for many students with a military background, and we make these programs available and affordable to them through the resources that we offer.”

Those resources include a tuition discount for active duty service members and their spouses -- $250 per credit for those pursuing undergraduate degree programs, and $350 for master’s degree students.

Capitol is a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program, which enables qualified veterans to study at private universities for little or no cost. Students eligible for the program can attend one of Capitol’s bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree programs tuition free.

Other benefits offered include a 50%  tuition discount for Maryland National Guard members for up to 12 credit hours per year, as well as tuition reimbursement support for online programs under the DANTES program.

Capitol prides itself on being a sound higher education option for soldiers and veterans because of its programs in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, Sims noted.

“The US Army and other personnel branches are prioritizing cyber operations, which means that many soldiers are gaining experience in this arena,” he said. “Capitol can then help them develop their skills further through our master’s and doctoral degree programs.”

The Military-Friendly Schools list is published each year in the magazine G.I. Jobs and online at www.militaryfriendly.com. The list is compiled using data from federal agencies, veteran students and proprietary survey information from participating organizations, including student survey data.

The list evaluates schools against a set of criteria including academic policies and compliance, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid and assistance, graduation and career, military student support and retention. Capitol was found to have exceeded the Military Friendly Standard for all these criteria.

Interested in learning more about Capitol Technology University, its programs, and  the resources available to active duty personnel and veterans? Contact Jamie L. Haines, assistant director of military and graduate recruitment, at 301-369-2305 or by email at jlhaines@captechu.edu.

Chasing Galileo: Capitol astronautical engineering students contribute to expand the definition of what we can see - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/blog/astronautical-engineering-students-contribute-to-telescope-technology

The first telescope used for space exploration was made and used by Galileo Galilei in the year 1610. In a time where much of society knew nothing of galaxies and believed that the universe was geocentric, Galileo used his telescope to discover that Saturn had rings, that the Milky Way was not a cloud, but a large cluster of stars, and that Jupiter had moons.

Twentieth century telescopes like the large one used by Edwin Hubble in the 1920s allowed astronomers to discover the existence of galaxies beyond our own. Leaping even further, the Hubble Space telescope, named after Edwin Hubble, was the first major optical telescope to be placed in space.

According to NASA, Hubble launched in the year 1990 from the space shuttle Discovery, and has made more than 1.3 million observations since the beginning of its mission. It has given scientists a look back into the past at locations more than 13.4 billion light years from Earth. These and other observations made by Hubble have led to more than 15,000 published scientific papers.

The next generation of space telescopes is just around the corner.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA’s latest revolutionary project that shows just how much telescope technology has evolved. And Capitol astronautical engineering students and alumni are helping to get it off the ground at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

“The capabilities of this telescope are incredible,” said Capitol 2015 graduate Aaron Bush, now a spacecraft engineer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). “They’re much greater than what Hubble has been able to bring – and Hubble has brought us so many wonders. This is going to be above and beyond,” he said.

Bush is working on the communications subsystem, thermal testing, and the Optical Telescope Element (OTE) for the Webb. “I do everything from writing code, to writing procedures, to conducting exercises to helping the flight operations team prepare for when the spacecraft actually launches.”

Fellow alum Carl Hansen, meanwhile, is a ground systems engineer for the mission. “It’s my job to develop products that will be used during flight, to allow our ground stations to talk to the JWST. After it launches, my job will be to watch those products very carefully and make sure they are doing what they’re supposed to do.”

The JWST’s job is to study the way our universe was formed using innovative new telescope technology that can capture light in a way it has never before been studied. “The Webb is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity. The longer wavelengths enable Webb to look much closer to the beginning of time and to hunt for the unobserved formation of the first galaxies, as well as to look inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are forming today” says NASA’s facts page.

“This is one of NASA’s biggest missions,” Hansen said. “To have the chance to work on something that is so monumental is a huge honor.”

NASA is working with the ESA (European Space Agency) and the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) to launch the James Webb Space telescope in October of 2018.
We’ve come a long way from Galileo’s time. In just a year, NASA and our Capitol graduates could be launching a telescope that will give us a glimpse into the very formation of the universe as we know it.

Information Assurance Scholarship Program: Don't Miss This Prestigious Opportunity for Students - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/IASP

Picture this: a full scholarship package enabling you to complete your cybersecurity education without being hampered by financial burdens.

In addition, a generous stipend covering room and board.

And the assurance of federal government employment after graduation.

All this is possible through the Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP), which is available to students at DHS and NSA-designated Centers for Excellence in cybersecurity education, including Capitol. But don't let time slip by: the application deadline is coming soon. Here's how the IASP works.

Students chosen for this prestigious opportunity receive full scholarship packages including undergraduate or graduation tuition as well as a stipend ($25,000 undergraduate and $30,000 graduate) for room and board.

In exchange, for each year that they receive the scholarship recipients agree to provide one year of paid cybersecurity work for the federal government after graduation.

You must apply through the university. The deadline for completed IASP applications is Monday, February 5, 2018. Completed applications must be submitted with unofficial transcripts and 2 letters of reference from faculty or employers. The application includes a competency statement related to six areas of cybersecurity competency. Official transcripts must be submitted by Friday, February 16, 2018 for submission to the funder.

All applicants will present on their knowledge and ability in the six competency areas via Adobe Connect. The selection panel representatives will interview all applicants immediately following their presentation. Presentation/Interview sessions will occur between February 6, 2018 and February 16, 2018. Notification of selection for nomination will be made to students by February 28, 2018.
The nominated student list will be forwarded to NSA by the deadline of February 28, 2018. NSA will make the final selections by August 1, 2018.

Completed applications should be received by midnight 5 February 2018. Email address: iasp@captechu.edu

Assistance for Students
The Career Services department can assist you and provide guidance in completing the IASP application process. For more information, e-mail Careers@captechu.edu or phone 240-965-2494. Make sure to leave a message.

View this video for information about completing the application. The segment related to your responses for the six competencies gives concrete examples of how to represent your knowledge and ability in these areas. 

Cyber Security Career Prep: Spotlight Department of Homeland Security - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link:  https://www.captechu.edu/blog/cyber-security-career-prep-for-dhs

What pressing issues do you most worry about? Although the list varies among individuals, many would include the threat of terrorism at or near the top. In recent years, successive polls – including from CNN,  Gallup, and Politico -- have shown that public concern remains high, with alarm tending to spike in the wake of new incidents.

The potential for acts of terror remains a sinister reality, but so have careers that allow people the opportunity to help our country fight against them.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formed shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is an employer of Capitol students able to provide rewarding careers defending our country. “As a Homeland Security employee, you will help secure our borders, airports, seaports and waterways; research and develop the latest security technologies; respond to natural disasters or terrorist acts; and analyze intelligence reports,” according to the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

The DHS is a cabinet department of the United States that includes the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, The Secret Service, the TSA, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, The Office of Health Affairs, and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, among others. There are a number of different career paths available through the Department of Homeland Security.

“We have a lot of students that end up going into cybersecurity analyst-type positions,” said Sarah Alspaw, director of career development and student success for Capitol. “We have quite a few that end up as civilian military. We try to go for Command and Control, Cyber, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CRISR).”

Making the transition from student to employed professional can be intimidating, but students can rely on Career Services to help guide them to the best fit for them.
“I like to meet with students individually. I like to sit and talk with them about what their interests are, about what their long term plans are, and how an internship would fit into that. A lot of times I do encourage students to consider federal opportunities. It’s easier to get cleared and it’s also a really good baseline to have. They’ll be more marketable to contractors after they’ve had a couple years in federal service,” said Alspaw.

Career Services strives to make every effort to connect our students to the opportunities available to them. As Alspaw put it, “My job is to make connections, to understand what potential employers are looking for, and to help you with the application process; but I also bring a lot of those employers to campus to give students the opportunity to meet with them face to face.”

“We are digitizing a lot of our student services too,” she said. “With CTSP for example, which is the cyber transfer scholars program, we are live streaming some of our students into the job fair. There’s a tablet that a volunteer student walks around with to bring up to employers so that they can see the students face to face even if they aren’t physically here.”  

For more information on how you can prepare and launch your cybersecurity career with the Department of Homeland Security, or to find out more about the right career path for you, make an appointment with Career Services today: careers@captechu.edu.

Carr Astronautics Tours Capitol, Highlights Collaborative Learning - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3021

At Capitol Technology University, students don’t only gain expertise in their fields.

They also learn to work with students in other disciplines, bringing different skill sets together in the service of a common goal.

“That’s a major focus for us, because it mirrors the environment our students will encounter in the real world,” explains Sarah Alspaw, director of career development and student success. “We provide our students with collaborative, interdisciplinary experiences though resources such as our Fusion Lab, through hybrid courses, and through student projects such as the Cactus-1 satellite mission.”

On Friday (January 19), visitors from Carr Astronautics, a science and tech firm based in the DC metro area, were on the Capitol campus for a first-hand look at the university’s resources and programs, including the Fusion Lab.

“I’m impressed by your lab here and the way it brings different disciplines together for hands-on projects,” said Norman Lo, software engineer at Carr. “I believe that is very useful for students.”

“It’s very interesting to see the integration of the different disciplines -- how science, hardware, and software come together,” said IT manager Solomon Jackson.

As part of the tour, Cactus-1 project manager Ryan Schrenk and lead engineer Pierce Smith briefed the visitors from Carr on the student-led mission, which was chosen for launch by NASA under the auspices of the Cubesat Launch Initiative (CSLI). Cactus-1 combines two experiments – one aimed at capturing space debris using an aerogel substrate, and the other focused on satellite command and control.

“The discussion we had about the aerogel payload was interesting,” said Houria Madani, senior systems engineer at Carr. “This project could be very useful.”

Carr Astronautics, established in 1991 by James Carr, has made major contributions to US and international weather and satellite programs and is a key part of the the GOES geostationary environmental satellite mission, launched in 2016.

With its long history of practical, hands-on programs in engineering and technology, Capitol is educating a new generation of professionals to meet the space challenges of today and tomorrow. Graduates of the university’s astronautical engineering have gone onto positions with the James Webb Telescope mission and with top contractors such as Honeywell and General Dynamics. For more information about programs at Capitol, e-mail admissions@captechu.edu.

Capitol, CMIT working together to promote STEM education - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/3011

Contributing to the wider community is an important endeavor for any college or university.

For Capitol Technology University, this includes helping to foster engineering and technology education among students in the community. One way the university is accomplishing this goal is through a partnership with the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy (CMIT), a STEM-focused charter school that prides itself on educating students to become tech-savvy citizens.

Starting in 2016, Capitol faculty and students have been helping out with four clubs at CMIT: climate, cybersecurity, gaming, and robotics.

“We feel it’s important to help build the STEM education pipeline not only in Maryland and the region, but here in our immediate community,” said Dr. Nayef Abu-Ageel, dean of academics at Capitol. “As a tech-focused charter school, CMIT’s vision is closely aligned with what we do at Capitol. It’s a great opportunity for a partnership.”

As part of the collaboration, Capitol students have visited CMIT to help prepare students in the school’s cybersecurity club for competitions – an arena in which Capitol has longstanding experience. “Capitol’s Cyber Battle Team is a seasoned competitor at the Mid-Atlantic Cyber Defense Competition (MACCDC) and many other events,” notes Dr. William Butler, chair of the cyber program at Capitol. “Two of our students, Jonathan Taylor and John Greim, have been meeting with CMIT students every Friday in order to share their knowledge and skills.”

CMIT students have also attended Capitol’s Cyber Saturdays – a regular offering at the university that includes game-based challenges designed to build cybersecurity skills. “Plans for 2018 are to expand our activities with the clubs to include more focused sessions in wireless, forensics, malware analysis, and secure communications,” Butler says.
The robotics club at CMIT, meanwhile, has been working with Capitol engineering professor Dr. Chandra Bajracharya as it prepares for Vex Robotics competitions.

“Vex Robotics provides a curriculum-based robotics program designed to expose students to STEM activities and engineering design process from the very beginning,” Bajracharya says. "The robotics club at Capitol has students with experience in Vex Robotics who will be working with the CMIT students."

“The collaboration between CMIT and Capitol not only enables our students to gain experience and exposure by acting as mentors to high school students but also motivates our students to be actively involved in their own club. We consider it an important outreach activity that builds a relationship in our community” she said.

Capitol to Launch New Unmanned Systems Lab - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2981

From the depths of the ocean to outer space, unmanned systems have become capable of running almost anywhere that science can dream up. Capitol Technology University is excited to debut our newest lab, which will be focused on giving students the opportunity to work with unmanned systems.

According to Professor Richard Baker, whose influential involvement contributed to the successful installation of Capitol’s Unmanned Systems Lab, “Students are going to be able to use the lab to get hands on experience with unmanned systems of all types and grow their knowledge to prepare them for jobs on the outside.”

What are unmanned systems?

Dr. Baker says, “Unmanned systems are systems that are controlled remotely or autonomously that have no one on board controlling them.” You’re probably more familiar with them than you think. A remotely operated bomb defusal robot, the Mars rover, and aerial drones used to get those beautiful overhead shots in films are all examples of unmanned systems.

Unmanned systems can be ground vehicles, underwater vehicles, space vehicles, aerial vehicles, or even medical vehicles. “Do you remember the 1966 movie, Fantastic Voyage,” asks Dr. Baker, “where they shrunk people down, put them in a capsule and put them in somebody’s body for medical reasons? We actually have medical products like that today where they put a camera in a little capsule and somebody can swallow it and it goes through their body.”

“There are applications for little vehicles,” he continued. “As long as five years ago I’d seen a swarm of little helicopters working together to lay bricks on a wall. Each little vehicle would come and pick up a brick and lay it where it was supposed to go. Then they’d go back and pick another one. There were 10 or 12 of them all flying, working together so that when a vehicle that had dropped off a brick came back to lay another one it was in a completely different location because there were another 11 bricks in-between. So, it takes a lot of coordination. It takes a lot of programming to get them to do real work.”

The programming of these systems is what Capitol students will learn both in the lab, and through our new degree program in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems.

“There is lot potential for this lab,” says Dr. Baker. “The lab gives us the potential for new research grants, for working projects with other organizations jointly on something so students will not only get hands on experience with the technology, but also hands on experience in applications. The lab provides a unique experiential learning environment.”

The Unmanned Systems Lab will host its first classes in Fall of 2018.

Capitol to Host Safer Buildings Coalition Summit - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2986

In the event of a fire or other disaster, reliable communication is essential to saving lives.

Too often, though, first responders face an obstacle: blocked or weak radio signals inside buildings. Such disruptions in communications can place them and building occupants at great risk.
“The problem gets worse the deeper inside a building, in areas like stairwells, elevators, basements, parking garages, and in the building core,” notes John Foley, VP for Operations at the Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC). “The widespread use of certain materials in LEED certified (high energy efficiency) buildings blocks radio signals even more.”
Foley’s organization is working to promote the use of technologies that reinforce radio signals so they can be received throughout a structure.  In some localities, fire codes require buildings to include such technologies, and the SBC is working with stakeholders to make sure the requirement is enforced.
“We’re a not for profit organization that works with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the International Code Council (ICC), technology companies, commercial real estate, and government agencies to see these codes are created, adopted and enforced, to provide education for all these stakeholders, and to advocate for safer buildings for occupants and first responders at the level of policy and standards,” Foley notes. “Our mission is essential to protecting life and property. “
On January 24, the SBC will highlight its mission and message at the organization’s annual summit, to be held on the campus of Capitol Technology University.  The university is a perfect setting for the event, Foley says, due to its 319-seat auditorium, exhibit space, audiovisual and technical facilities, on-site catering options, hospitality and networking for guests, and proximity to the Baltimore-Washington metro area.
“As an education-oriented organization, the Safer Buildings Coalition is also excited to be able to include some of the student body in the event, both as learning attendees and as event staff,” Foley said.
“The academic environment sets the right tone for this important work – and the involvement of the students brings a level of mission fulfilment that a more traditional hotel or conference space could not offer. We are excited to host our event at CTU, and we look forward to a very successful experience for our guest, exhibitors, the students, the university, and for the Safer Buildings Coalition,” he said.
Dr. Bradford L. Sims, president of Capitol Technology University, says that events such as the SBC summit are part of the university’s ongoing endeavors to serve the wider community.
“Capitol is known for its focus on engineering and technology, and an important aspect of that is the ability of engineers and technologists to devise solutions that improve the safety and quality of life. Our programs encourage students not only to develop their skills and expertise, but to look at the broader picture – the societal application of what they do,” Sims said.

Want to learn more about the Safer Buildings Coalition? Visit the organization’s website,  e-mail membership@saferbuildings.org, or call  1-888-600-1011.

Meltdown and Spectre: What To Expect - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2976

It is not known whether Meltdown and Spectre, the two major security vulnerabilities announced on January 3, have been already exploited by hackers.
But computer users need to be aware of the threat and also expect slowdowns and performance issues as the computer industry scrambles for a fix, says Michael Augustson, associate director of information services at Capitol Technology University.
The vulnerabilities, one of which affects Intel products and the other which affects virtually every processor on the market, were discovered independently by different research teams during 2016.
Explains Augustson: “A design flaw in Intel processors dating back to 2011, and potentially further, can be exploited to allow a program to copy memory in secured locations on the operating system – which could include things like passwords, keys for password managers or encryption tools,”
“The exploit could allow an attacker to read system protected memory,” Augustson says.
Patches released by Microsoft are designed to protect Windows 10 and Windows 7/8 systems but at some cost to performance, he notes, with the degradations most strongly felt by organizations with large computer networks.
“There’s currently not enough data to tell exactly what the effects are going to be, and it will depend a lot on the software the company uses and how they use it - but significant slowdowns to both server and endpoint business systems are expected, “ Augustson says.  “It may mean a lot of businesses find themselves having to purchase newer systems unaffected by the hardware flaw.”
What should individual computer users do? Microsoft recommends that you install the latest Windows security patches and check with your computer’s manufacturer for any available firmware/driver updates, which may include new CPU microcode designed to help mitigate the issue.
A list of anti-virus solutions and their compatibility with the current iteration of the patch can be found here.
“We don’t know the full scope of the problem yet. Much may change as more research is done and information made available,” Augustson says. “In the meantime, be cautious and exercise common sense.”

The CubeSat revolution: You too can build and launch your own satellite payload! - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2951

These are exciting times for the tech-minded. The maker movement is in full swing, with inventions such as the 3-D printer making it feasible to undertake projects that were once prohibitively expensive.

And satellite design is no exception.

“With CubeSats and small form-factor satellites, you can literally build a satellite in the basement, and crowdfund or network your way into a launch opportunity, and launch a soda-can-sized satellite up into space to do something cool,” notes Dr. Alex “Sandy” Antunes, a professor of astronautical engineering at Capitol Technology University.

Antunes knows the topic perhaps better than anyone. He’s written four books on do-it-yourself satellites, and serves as faculty member for Capitol’s student-led CACTUS-1 project. CACTUS-1 was selected by NASA as part of its CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and is currently awaiting its official launch date.

Satellite enthusiasts should consider enrolling at a school, like Capitol, that has a strong astronautical engineering program and a demonstrated interest in hands-on satellite projects. That way you won’t be going it alone. And university programs have a good shot at being selected for the CSLI, which is currently the best opportunity to get a payload launched aboard a rocket on a minimal budget.

To be selected, you’ll need to demonstrate to NASA that your proposed mission is useful. Your project will compete with others for available slots in the program.
Don’t want to go the CSLI route? Another avenue is to finance a launch yourself by raising the needed funds. That’s less of a hurdle than it was in the past, thanks to the internet and crowdfunding – and also because launch costs are going down, in a big way.

“

If you have $100,000, you can pay any of the launch providers to send up your CubeSat,” Antunes said. “Several organizations have raised funds at that level on Kickstarter. It’s likely that we’ll see more affordable options in the future. There are companies currently working to get the cost down to as little as $10,000 per launch.”

You’ll also need to consider the cost of parts. A recent article in AMSAT Journal – published by the amateur radio community, which has been experimenting with satellites for decades – estimated that a bird can be built for around $2,500. Antunes is more cautious, urging enthusiasts to budget in the cost of experimentation and error.

“For a new team, there’s a learning curve – you’re going to break things and burn through a lot of parts, so the amount will be higher. I would recommend that a program have around $10,000 in parts,” he said.

He also encourages DIY satellite engineers to make sure they are sending something up for a good reason. There are already plenty of satellites in orbit that do little more than transmit a radio bleep, or perhaps send out automated tweets to the internet. Capitol’s Cactus-1 project, he points out, contains payloads with real scientific value: a space debris-capturing project, and an experiment with mobile device-based command and control.

That said, satellite experimentation is a growth area and he expects to see more and more teams out there designing their own projects and seeing them launched.
“NASA is working with three start-up rocket companies to conduct launches that will have lots of CubeSats on them, and plans to eventually have launches that are CubeSat-only. United Launch Alliance, which handles most of the major U.S. launches, has declared they are going to carry 24 CubeSats on every launch that they do,” he said.

“I anticipate that in 2-5 years every major university will have a CubeSat program. The number of launch opportunities is growing, and the technology is becoming cheaper.”

Challenge between friends leads to doctoral student success - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2946

When Eric Saunders, a successful IT professional, first contemplated undertaking a new chapter in his education, he wasn’t sure a doctorate was the right choice.  A master’s program seemed sufficient.

A conversation with a good friend changed his mind.

“Even though it’s a lot of work, you’ll learn from it and get something out of it,” the friend advised. That led to a bet: Saunders and his buddy each made a decision to apply to a doctoral program in cybersecurity, seek financial support from their employers, overcome various other hurdles, and see if each of them could successfully complete the doctoral journey.

Surveying the available schools, they chose Capitol, recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

Saunders was first to wrap up his side of the bargain, earning his DSc in cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University in 2016. His friend is close to the finish line, with his dissertation proposal approaching completion.

With the challenge behind him now, what does Saunders see as the benefits? One particularly significant result, he says, is an improved ability to communicate his ideas.

“My overall communications skills on paper have improved,” Saunders says. “I can effectively convey my thoughts and concerns in my work environments, and am able to back them up by citing sources and evidence.”

A customer, he recounts, recently singled out a trade study authored by Saunders for special praise, noting he had marshalled a wide array of sources to support his recommendations. These are skills, Saunders believes, which grow directly out of the doctoral experience.

A strong writing focus is one of the distinctive features of the DSc program, he says. “I didn’t realize how much writing was going to be involved, or how challenging it could be. One occasion I found myself staring at a single sentence for around two hours, trying to find ways to make it better!”

Capitol professors were there to help him push through the challenges and extend his capabilities as a writer and scholar. The school prides itself on its faculty – drawn from working professionals in the field – and their readiness to assist students.

“You’re not just someone in their address book. They want you to succeed.”

Is a doctorate degree on your horizon? Learn more about Capitol’s DSc program in Cybersecurity, its PhD program in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences, and its brand-new PhD in Technology. Contact graduate admissions today or attend a virtual information session.

Cyber Security Career Prep: Spotlight NSA - Capitol Technology University (Since 1927 Located Near Washington D.C.)

Direct Link: https://www.captechu.edu/node/2941

Cyberspace: The new frontier. And criminals are lurking in the protection of its depths. With the rapid evolution of technology and our nation’s ever increasing dependence on digital data, cybercrime is on the rise.

At Capitol, our students are learning to defend systems and data against those who seek to steal or misuse it, to make intelligent, informed business decisions in the new technological business world, and to think critically and problem solve as they find a way or make one.

Cyber security skills that are exactly what the NSA is looking for.

The NSA is a government organization with excellent benefits and a great mission. According to the National Security Agency website, “NSA leads the Intelligence Community in signals intelligence and information assurance. It intercepts foreign signals and keeps America’s information safe.”
So how can you, as one of Capitol’s students, get a job with the NSA?

According to Sarah Alspaw, Director of Career Development and Student Success,” the NSA employs students from Capitol in every field.” So no matter what your major is with us, the NSA has positions that will suit your field of study. Capitol also works with the NSA, among other top organizations, to help direct and steer our curriculum. Making Capitol students instantly more marketable, as you receive the kind of training the NSA is looking for.

Having the right experience is a big step, but it’s equally important to present that experience in the right way. Alspaw says, “Putting together your resume for an NSA position can be complicated.” Typical NSA resumes can sometimes contain up to two pages worth of information. “It’s important to know what they are looking for when you apply,” states Alspaw, “and Career Services…has that information.”

Students who go on to work with the National Security Agency can also expect to need a security clearance. Fortunately, this is another process that Career Services has helped many students through. See “Security Clearance 101.”

Having an internship isn’t required, but Capitol does have an excellent program for internships in security fields called the National Security Scholars Program. Through NSSP, students gain experience in the security field through paid internships, while also obtaining a security clearance. The NSA is one of the organizations you can intern with through NSSP. To learn more information on the NSSP program, see “NSSP Offers Road Map to Security Careers” or contact career services at careers@captechu.edu.

A career with the NSA is within the reach of all of our students at Capitol. With the right education paired with a little bit of career preparation, you could work there too.