Cybersecurity Defense Initiative
The Cybersecurity Defense Initiative (CDI) is a comprehensive, integrated series of courses that incorporates best practices, procedures, and methodologies for a variety of systems. Because information technology is an integral part of the infrastructure and modern-day workflow of all critical infrastructure, CDI is meant to address concerns common to a broad spectrum of disciplines. Training is designed to meet the needs of a broad but focused demographic of public and private sector technical personnel, ensuring that critical capabilities reach all levels of management and field response.
All CDI courses utilize a blended learning approach that incorporates instructor-led classroom lecture, hands-on laboratory exercises, and online supplemental material.
A core component of CDI is preparing critical infrastructure technical personnel with thorough policy and planning mechanisms for recovering and rebuilding critical infrastructure harmed by a Cyber based attack.
The Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) and its Cybersecurity Defense Initiative is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Training and Educations Division. CJI is one of the founding members of the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC). The other four NCPC members include the University of Texas San Antonio; the University of Texas AM (Texas Engineering Extension Service); The University of Memphis; and Norwich University. Each Consortium member has training programs available, and all members work together and share resources to provide training opportunities for the whole community. To learn more about training opportunities available through the NCPC visit the NCPC website.