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Merit Network Collaborating with Mile2 for Michigan Cyber Range CoursewareFeb 06, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Merit Network, Inc. announced a collaborative partnership with Mile2 to provide cyber security courseware and certifications through the Michigan Cyber Range. Together, Merit and Mile2 said they will provide accessible, world-class training to companies, students and cyber security professionals across the country. "I am proud to announce Merit's partnership with Mile2. This collaboration is an ideal match, pairing Mile2's internationally recognized and robust certification process with the Michigan Cyber Range's world class education platform. The partnership announced is the foundation for a superior cyber security educational experience, one that improves accessibility and delivers the most dynamic, experiential learning available," said Dr. Joe Adams, executive director of Research and the Michigan Cyber Range, Merit Network. "As host of the new Michigan Cyber Range, Merit Network has increased its organization's responsibility and opportunity to educate and stand up the next generation of cyber warriors. Mile2 is proud to partner with Merit Network in this endeavor. With the implementation of the Mile2 cyber security curriculum and certifications, Merit Network will be able to offer the 'best of breed' training in penetration testing, digital forensics, secure web applications, disaster recovery, network forensics and other Mile2 courses and certifications," said Raymond Friedman, CEO of Mile2. According to a release, Merit and Mile2 will offer a slate of live instructor classes for 2013 in a number of different cyber security certifications. Dates are confirmed and registration is open for the first three certification courses. Those courses are: Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE), offered March 18-22, 2013. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO), offered May 20-24, 2013. Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer (CDRE), offered June 17-21, 2013. Merit and Mile2 will continue to schedule more courses throughout the year. Dates and registration information for the remaining courses will be released in the near future. The courses are offered at Merit's training facilities in Ann Arbor, MI and are available to cyber security students and professionals everywhere. The group said the courses utilize one of the most dynamic learning environments available--the Michigan Cyber Range. The Michigan Cyber Range is an unclassified, air-gapped system overlaid on Merit's extensive network. As such it enables students and professionals to practice, "live fire" cyber security exercises in a secure, monitored environment without impacting everyday network activity. "Cyber security is a field in which one learns by doing. The more hands-on activity to reinforce course concepts available to students, the more likely it is that they will retain those concepts and put them to use after certification," explained Dr. Adams. "The industry standard course certification model begins with a substantial amount of books and training materials. It then continues with students studying upwards of 1,200 PowerPoint slides throughout the course of the class. Lab exercises are limited, and performed on small ad hoc networks the instructor has stood up." "Michigan Cyber Range courses provide students a rich array of hands-on learning opportunities in an adaptive learning environment on a world-class network. Through the partnership announced, the Michigan Cyber Range augments Mile2's robust course material with real-world application and delivers a better training experience to cyber security students and professionals," Dr. Adams added. Merit Network is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional research and education network. Mile2 designs, develops, and delivers cyber security certifications and provides Information Assurance services that meet military, government, private sector and institutional specifications. More information on the Michigan Cyber Range: www.merit.edu/cyberrange / More about course offerings through the Michigan Cyber Range: www.merit.edu/cyberrange/courses/ Additional information: www.merit.edu www.mile2.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |