UCCS officially opens expansion on Cybersecurity Center

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- Thursday morning, a $5.4 million expansion of the Kevin W. O'Neil Cybersecurity Education Research Center officially opened at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. The university says the center will provide opportunities for hundreds of students.

"This is so appropriate. Cyber and space are such key things for our nation, so we felt we needed to be a key player in that area," said UCCS Chancellor Venkat Reddy.

The Cybersecurity building now features six cyber labs, a cyber range, a computer lab, a number of offices and conference rooms, offices, and a unique collaboration zone. This facility is not just about the new rooms, but what will be happening inside of them.

"We at UCCS have really taken this to heart and want to create that innovation and really take cyber security to the next level. It’s not just about technology, it’s about business, education, criminal justice, public affairs, so really take it and spread it across so that we can really have an impact on our community and our nation," said Reddy.

Cybersecurity jobs are among the fastest-growing career areas nationally.

"Cybersecurity is really the future. Every business, every public entity, government, private sector needs cyber security professionals not only to protect their infrastructure but also to make sure they’re preparing for what the future holds. If you think about it as individuals we need cyber security protection," said Alejandra Castillo, the assistant secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.

UCCS says it's the first of its kind.

"It’s kind of that epicenter. It’s attracting that thought, that leadership, that expertise so it’s very well positioned not only for Colorado but the country as a whole," said Castillo.

The cybersecurity center also houses the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which plans to build a Watch Center and Cyber Vulnerability Laboratory that will open later this year.