Cybersecurity

MVCC’s cybersecurity program provides students with the hands-on, practical skills that are in such great demand. MVCC students apply the skills developed in the classroom to real-life scenarios at the CNY Hackathon, held each semester at MVCC. At the Hackathon students are challenged to defend virtual operating systems from industry professionals on the Red Team. This combination of coursework and practical exercises leads to outstanding student outcomes and led to MVCC’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency in 2016, one of only 30 community colleges to achieve the designation at the time. The CAE designation makes students eligible for cybersecurity specific federal grants and scholarships, as well as explicit recognition to add to their personal credentials upon graduation from the program.

Jake Mihevc

Jake is a national leader in cybersecurity education. He launched the college’s Cybersecurity AS program in 2010 and helped it achieve the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation in 2016. He is also the Director and PI of the Northeast Regional Resource Center for the NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence program. Jake is a co-founder of the Central New York Hackathon, a regional cybersecurity competition that brings over 100 students from eight cybersecurity programs together each semester to test their skills. He is an active member of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Workgroup and has worked to expand cybersecurity competitions nationwide.

Jason Yager

Jason’s background in Information Technology includes service in the U.S Air Force as a Network Technician, service at Oneida County BOCES as a Network Administrator, and service as Director of Network Systems at MVCC. Jason has been teaching Information Technology courses at MVCC for 18 years. Jason holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, and a Masters Degree in Technology Management, both from the SUNY Institute of Technology and CCNA and Network+ certifications.

Tom Mihevc

Tom has a diverse background in Information Technology including work with GEs Defense System Division, Vice President for Technical Applications at a regional bank, application engineer for a fiber optic equipment manufacturer and many years of consulting as a network engineer. He served as Director of Information Technology at MVCC for nine years prior to becoming a full-time Computer Science Instructor. He holds a Bachelors degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Masters degree from the SUNY Institute of Technology here in Marcy.

James Rice

James has served as an adjunct professor for MVCC since 2011 and became full-time cybersecurity faculty in 2017. James previously held a position as a cybersecurity analyst for Quanterion Solutions Inc., a cybersecurity and reliability engineering-focused Department of Defense contractor. In this role he focused on delivering dynamic learning content and environments via various forms of media including scenarios and games. He holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Albany in Mathematics and a Masters degree from Utica University in Cybersecurity. James holds certifications in Security+ and Network+.

Departmental highlights

CNY Hackathon

On November 1st and 2nd MVCC’s Cybersecurity Program held its 11th CNY Hackathon. The current CNY Hackathon was attended by approximately 90 students from nine different regional institutions. Throughout the two-day event, students defended services and infrastructure from attack, as well as completed challenges designed to simulate real-world cyber events. The CNY Hackathon is designed to provide students with practical knowledge that they can apply upon entering the workforce.

CNY Codeathon

On November 15th and 16th MVCC’s Cybersecurity Program held its first CNY Codeathon. 41 students from four different local institutions attended the event. The CNY Codeathon is designed to provide students with challenging exercises where they can apply their coding knowledge to solve complex problems. The challenges provide students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge necessary to enter the workforce with the skills necessary to succeed.

GenCyber

Every summer, MVCC holds award-winning GenCyber cybersecurity Camps. The two-week camps are funded by the NSA and provide the opportunity for students in grades 9-12 to participate in cybersecurity classes provided by MVCC faculty. Many students who attended the GenCyber Camps then go on to enroll in the cybersecurity program at MVCC.

Mohawk Valley Community College