Cyber Security Center

Stark State College strives to meet the area’s demands for high-quality cyber security education and training. We want our community to be cyber security resilient. 

Our mission 

To promote cyber awareness, cyber security and workforce development by providing information, training and education to students, staff and the public. 

Associate degree in cyber security and computer forensics 

Cyber security and digital forensics are the hot areas of computer networking, and you’ll be job-ready with computer and network security skills along with the ability to find digital evidence on multiple devices. You’ll learn proper procedure and handing guidelines for digital evidence and be able to use software tools to image, validate and analyze different digital devices. Hands-on, practical exercises will give you an edge in the job market in both the public and private sectors. 

Start as an entry-level security analyst, digital forensics analyst or digital forensics investigator, or continue your education via Stark State’s transfer agreements with Kent State University and Champlain College. 

Learn more about Stark State’s associate of science in cyber security and computer forensics.

Our people  

Stark State faculty 

• Barrett Busch – Instructor, Information Security 
• Larry Ray, Ph.D. – Department Chair, Information Technology 

Advisory board 

• Nate Sheen – President, Astoria 
• Tyler Smith – Director of Operations, SPARCC 
• Eric Ryan – Vice President, Information Technology, Seifert Technologies 
• Alan Bringardner – Owner, IT Savants 
• Jack Summers – Jr. IT/Network Administrator, CommQuest 
• Darren Rozenek – Applications Manager IT, City of Akron 
• Zach Malloy – CIO, Stark County 

Stark State cyber security best practices 

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires more than one method of authentication from independent sources to verify the user’s identity. In other words, a person is given access only after providing two or more pieces of information uniquely identifying them.

Learn more about MFA

Cyber security grads mark a first for the College

In fall 2023, the first group of students graduated from Stark State’s cyber security and computer forensics technology program since it was designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency. 

Upcoming events

World Backup Day

Monday, March 31, 2027, is World Backup Day, the day where we are reminded of how important it is to back up your data. For more information on what it means and why you should backup your data go to https://worldbackupday.com/en.