Undergrad Cybersecurity Instructor

Instructor of Cybersecurity (Teaching Faculty - Undergraduate Programs & Security Operations Center)

Position Summary

The Cybersecurity Department seeks a highly motivated and experienced cybersecurity professional to serve as a full-time faculty member supporting undergraduate cybersecurity education and experiential learning initiatives. This on-campus position combines teaching excellence, curriculum development, laboratory design, student mentorship, and leadership in establishing and operating a Student Security Operations Center (SOC).

The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering high-quality undergraduate cybersecurity instruction, developing traditional classroom and laboratory experiences, and helping build a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center that provides students with hands-on experience in security monitoring, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, and cyber defense operations.

This position is ideal for an individual who is passionate about educating future cybersecurity professionals while bridging academic learning with real-world operational security practices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Undergraduate Cybersecurity Instruction

• Teach undergraduate cybersecurity courses in both traditional classroom and laboratory settings.
• Deliver engaging instruction in cybersecurity fundamentals, network security, security operations, cyber defense, digital forensics, ethical hacking, governance, risk management, cloud security, and related topics.
• Develop and maintain course materials, including lectures, assessments, assignments, projects, and hands-on exercises.
• Utilize active learning strategies and experiential learning methodologies to enhance student engagement and success.
• Provide academic advising, mentoring, and career guidance to undergraduate students.

2. Security Operations Center (SOC) Development and Operations

• Assist in the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of a Student Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Develop operational procedures, workflows, and training materials for student analysts.
• Support the deployment and administration of cybersecurity technologies including SIEM, EDR, IDS/IPS, threat intelligence platforms, vulnerability management tools, and security orchestration solutions.
• Create real-world security monitoring, threat hunting, incident response, and vulnerability assessment exercises.
• Collaborate with faculty and industry partners to integrate SOC activities into the academic curriculum.
• Mentor student analysts participating in SOC operations, internships, apprenticeships, and applied learning experiences.
• Assist in establishing partnerships with industry, government, educational institutions, and community organizations to support SOC initiatives.

3. Curriculum Development and Experiential Learning

• Serve as a subject matter expert in undergraduate cybersecurity curriculum development.
• Develop and continuously improve traditional in-class instructional materials and laboratory exercises aligned with industry best practices and workforce needs.
• Design experiential learning opportunities that simulate real-world cybersecurity environments and challenges.
• Create cybersecurity scenarios, cyber range exercises, capture-the-flag activities, and hands-on laboratory experiences.
• Collaborate with faculty, instructional designers, and external partners to ensure curriculum alignment with industry frameworks, certifications, and accreditation requirements.
• Integrate emerging technologies and cybersecurity trends into coursework and laboratory environments.

4. Ethics, Policy, and Professional Practice

• Promote ethical decision-making, professional responsibility, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Lead discussions related to cybersecurity law, policy, privacy, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare students to address contemporary cybersecurity challenges while maintaining professional and ethical standards.

5. Service and Student Mentorship

• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities.
• Mentor student organizations, cybersecurity competition teams, and cybersecurity clubs.
• Support recruitment, retention, and outreach efforts for cybersecurity programs.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that promotes student success.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Management Information Systems, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional cybersecurity experience OR three (3) years of teaching experience in cybersecurity or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity operations, network security, and cyber defense principles.
• Ability to teach undergraduate cybersecurity courses and develop hands-on laboratory experiences.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Assurance, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, GIAC, Security+, CEH, CySA+, GSEC, CCSP, or equivalent.
• Experience working in a Security Operations Center (SOC), Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), or cybersecurity operations environment.
• Experience with SIEM platforms, endpoint security tools, vulnerability management solutions, and threat intelligence platforms.
• Experience developing cyber range exercises, capture-the-flag competitions, or experiential learning environments.
• Experience with cloud security platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Previous teaching experience in higher education.
• Experience securing grants, developing industry partnerships, or leading workforce development initiatives.
• Military, government, higher education, or private-sector cybersecurity experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of cybersecurity operations and defensive security methodologies.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into effective instructional content.
• Experience developing hands-on labs and experiential learning environments.
• Strong project management, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to student success, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and community stakeholders.

Impact of the Position

This position plays a critical role in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through innovative instruction, hands-on learning, and real-world operational experiences. Through the development and operation of a Student Security Operations Center, the successful candidate will help establish a nationally recognized experiential learning environment that supports workforce development, industry engagement, applied cybersecurity education, and community cybersecurity services.