Sandburg Board Approves Outline of Cybersecurity Program

  Aaron Frey
  Friday, October 26, 2018 8:43 AM
  Campus News

Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College took a step toward introducing a new program that focuses on cybersecurity at its Board of Trustees meeting Thursday evening on the Main Campus in Galesburg.

The Board approved the framework of a cybersecurity specialist certificate program to meet the growing demands of the cyber security workforce. The 16-credit hour program, which could be completed in as little as one semester, must still be approved by the Illinois Community College Board before it is first available for the 2019 fall semester.

The proposed program includes four classes — Database Application, Virtualization, Internet of Things and Cybersecurity Operations — as well as a three-credit hour internship.

The certificate is designed to provide a foundation in quickly developing skilled workers to provide security to the informational infrastructure of things such as banks, utilities, electrical systems, communication organizations and medical facilities. A recent report by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education estimated there will be 1.8 million unfilled cyber security positions by 2022.

The Board also approved the tentative 2018 property tax levy. Equalized assessed valuations (EAVs) have been increasing in the College’s district for several years, and a 5 percent increase is anticipated for levy year 2018. The Board passed a tentative operating tax levy of 47.41 cents per $100 of EAV, a 0.43-cent decrease in tax rate from the previous year. This is consistent with the College’s intention of maintaining a high-quality educational experience without significantly changing the tax rate for many years.

The Board also approved funds to complete a variety of protection, health and safety projects on the Main Campus. The funds will cover re-roofing on Building B, the installation of a lift and sliding doors to the patio entrance of Building D, resurfacing of the access road to the Center for Manufacturing Excellence, resurfacing of the ramp to Building E, re-roofing of the A-B connector, the creation of an emergency exit from the library and carpet replacement in the Student Services area. Work on the projects, estimated at $955,346, is expected to take place next summer.

The Board also moved to renew the College’s health insurance plan for employees through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois and to continue the employee dental insurance plan through Principal Financial Group.

In other business, the Board approved the following:

• Employment of Diane Inman as data assurances specialist.
• Employment of Douglas Ferguson as computing infrastructure specialist.
• Resignation of Natalie Johnson as coordinator of veterans and military services/financial aid specialist.
• Amended the date of resignation/retirement of Paula Shaw as coordinator of veterans and military personnel student services/financial aid specialist.

The Board’s next scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Nov. 29 on the Main Campus.