Seton Hill University and the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) have established a first-of-its-kind partnership that will provide Seton Hill cybersecurity students with internship and research opportunities with the NCFTA as well as provide an opportunity for collaboration in the development of Seton Hill cybersecurity courses.

"As the world becomes more and more digitally connected, financial markets, healthcare systems, and governments are at ever increasing risk to global cyber threats, and Seton Hill's partnership with the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance will help our students learn to identify solutions."

Seton Hill’s cybersecurity program is the first bachelor’s degree program to partner with the NCFTA, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit corporation focused on identifying, mitigating, and neutralizing cybercrime threats globally. 

“Seton Hill is pleased to work with the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance on this unique partnership that will enable our students to be on the cutting edge of the technological training they need to prepare for the Information Technology security field of the future,” said Mary C. Finger, Ed.D., Seton Hill University President. “Through our Office of Academic Innovation and Planning, Seton Hill faculty have been working with business leaders throughout southwestern Pennsylvania to develop academic programs, including cybersecurity, that meet the region’s workforce needs. The partnership with NCFTA will provide our students with the skills regional employers are seeking and prepare them for their careers.”

"As the world becomes more and more digitally connected, financial markets, healthcare systems, and governments are at ever increasing risk to global cyber threats, and Seton Hill's partnership with the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance will help our students learn to identify solutions," said Seton Hill Provost Susan Yochum, SC, Ph.D. “Seton Hill’s cybersecurity major is designed to advance as technology does and the partnership with the NCFTA will provide  yet another avenue for Seton Hill students to be on the front lines of this important field. Seton Hill students will have a real edge with real-world opportunities."

“NCFTA has been working with industry and government partners for over 15 years.  As such, we continue to recognize that the cyber-security community is an ever-changing field requiring highly skilled individuals,” said Steve Mancini, Chief Technical Officer and Director of Strategic Operations at NCFTA.  “With our continued dependence on technology and the need to protect it, the gap between the needs of industry and government and the available workforce is growing. Through this partnership, our goal is to help Seton Hill develop curriculum, based on industry and government needs, to meet this gap and at the same time, provide NCFTA with a cadre of technical students who can assist us in our efforts to help our industry and government partners stay more secure."

The partnership between Seton Hill University and NCFTA will provide Seton Hill students with the ability to serve as interns with NCFTA as well as collaborate onsite for possible capstone and research projects with the organization.

In addition, Seton Hill and NCFTA will collaborate on using real-world operational experience provided by NCFTA personnel in the development of Seton Hill cybersecurity courses, allowing the University’s program to adapt as new cybersecurity threats are identified.

The National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) is a non-profit corporation founded in 2002, focused on identifying, mitigating, and neutralizing cybercrime threats globally. The NCFTA operates by conducting real-time information sharing and analysis with Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the public, private, and academic sectors. Through these partnerships, the NCFTA proactively identifies cyber threats in order to help partners take preventive measures to mitigate those threats. The NCFTA has a proven track record and has long been identified as the model for private/public partnerships. Today, the NCFTA model, best practices, and lessons learned are being leveraged and emulated in countries around the world. Our membership is constantly growing both nationally and internationally across private industry, law enforcement, government, and academia.  

Coverage in the Tribune-Review can be found here.