News
UNO Awarded Over $100K For Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The University of New Orleans (UNO) has received a $105,804 grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents to develop an advanced cybersecurity certificate program. The project is led by James Wagner, professor of computer science and principal investigator.
The award, which runs through June 30, 2026, will support UNO in designing two pilot courses: web security and network penetration testing. The courses will be offered in a one-week, 40-hour format. They are intended to provide professional training while remaining compatible with UNO’s academic cyber curriculum.
Participants will include both students and working professionals. Training will take place in a dedicated “cyber range,” a private cloud environment configured to support advanced, hands-on instruction.
This initial phase will focus on the web security and network penetration testing courses and the training of 20 students. A second phase is planned to add additional advanced courses, such as malware reverse engineering, digital forensics and incident response, and industrial control systems (SCADA) security.
The program is designed to sustain itself financially through professional fees, even with small enrollment numbers.
The certificate program will connect to UNO’s existing undergraduate and graduate offerings in computer science and cybersecurity and is structured to provide a pathway to the master’s degree in cybersecurity and operations.
About the University of New Orleans (UNO)
Founded in 1958, the University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public research university recognized as a cornerstone of higher education in Louisiana. UNO enrolls more than 7,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines ranging from engineering, computer science, and business to the liberal arts and education.
Designated by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity, UNO contributes more than $470 million annually to the Louisiana economy and is one of the city’s leading producers of skilled graduates entering the regional workforce. With a campus located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, the university serves as both an academic hub and a cultural resource, fostering innovation, diversity, and community engagement across New Orleans and beyond.
