The School of Cybersecurity closely collaborates with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI). CCI is establishing Virginia as a global center of excellence at the intersection of security, autonomous systems, and data. With a mission of research, innovation, and workforce development, CCI serves as a catalyst for the Commonwealth's long-term leadership in this sector. COVA CCI is southeastern Virginia's node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative. It is an engine for research, innovation, and commercialization of next-generation cybersecurity technologies particularly in the areas of Cyber Physical Systems Security (CPSS), 5G, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Maritime, Defense, and Transportation business sectors.
School Advisory Board
The School of Cybersecurity strives to develop a sustainable ecosystem for cybersecurity workforce development that integrates diverse educational pathways, inclusive community engagement, and military, government, industry and academia partnerships. The School's Advisory Board consists of:
| Mr. Daniel Bowden | VP & CISO, Sentara Healthcare |
| Mr. Steve Cherry | Chief Information Security Officer, Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Mr. Darius K. Davenport | Partner & Chairman, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group of Crenshaw, Ware & Martin |
| Mr. Clifton J. Everton | |
| Ms. Kimberly K. Frost | Director of Operations, RFK Solutionz, Corporation |
| Ms. Tammy Krum | Cyber Testing and Evaluation Branch Head, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Dam Neck |
| Mr. Stephen Mills | Director of Maritime Cybersecurity for Royal Caribbean Group |
| Dr. James M. Pohl | Chief Academic Officer, Norfolk Public Schools |
| Ms. Rebecca Seiders | Outreach & Public Affairs, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command |
| Ms. Rachel White | Coordinator Governor's STEM Academy, Virginia Beach City Public Schools |