Stanly News & Press - July 7, 2010
Tuesday, Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) showed his continued support for cybersecurity by voting to recognize the importance of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, and its five-year effort to promote cybersecurity curriculum in institutions of higher learning. The resolution passed with bipartisan support.

“Cybersecurity is critical to thwarting some of the biggest threats to our national and personal security,” said Kissell. “This program helps promote the importance of cybersecurity curriculums in our college and university systems. Our own UNC Charlotte has competed multiple times in this competition, winning in 2005, and even hosting the competition. We are so proud of their groundbreaking efforts in cybersecurity curriculum.”

As Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations for UNC Charlotte, Dr. Steve Mosier applauded the resolution and Congressman Kissell’s support.

“UNC Charlotte has been a leader in cybersecurity research for many years and Congressman Kissell has been a strong supporter of cyber initiatives. We particularly appreciate his support of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, showcasing the talents of the very best and brightest,” said Mosier. “UNC Charlotte was the national winner in the first of these competitions in 2005, and we have placed first or second in the southeast region every year since. The skills showcased in these competitions are vital to our national security, and many of our students move on to jobs in the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. We're very proud of the contributions they make.”

Kissell was successful in attaching an amendment to the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act which directs the National Science Foundation Director to include language in the Computer and Network Security Capacity Building Grants mission to highlight the importance of curriculum on the principles and techniques of designing secure software. The amendment is a critical step in addressing the needs of secure software curriculum inclusion in computer science programs.