Ennovar Technology Solutions at Wichita State University has entered into a strategic new partnership with Cyber Research Group (CRG) aimed at increasing WSU’s footprint in the fast-growing cybersecurity industry and providing students with applied learning opportunities.

CRG is a veteran-owned cybersecurity firm based in Wichita that provides service and support to government entities and companies and has been involved in solutions for multiple major national security breaches.

Ennovar and CRG will form a new on-campus entity called Cyber Security and Forensics Research Group, which will be located at Ennovar and provide applied learning opportunities for WSU students.

It will also complement new undergraduate and graduate programs available through the College of Engineering – an engineering technology bachelor's degree with a concentration in cybersecurity and graduate certificate in information assurance and cybersecurity.

Wichita State’s growing involvement in the cybersecurity is based on recommendations from the Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth, an initiative of the Greater Wichita Partnership, a coalition of public and private partners working on economic development.

“There is a growing need for cybersecurity expertise, especially in the Wichita area,” said John Tomblin, WSU vice president for research and technology transfer. “Wichita State’s strategic involvement in educating students and providing industry exposure will have a direct impact on regional economic growth in this sector.”

The partnership is in the early stages with plans to begin hiring around a dozen students in January.

“We believe there is a large amount of opportunity in the cybersecurity industry,” said Matt Forney, executive director of technology for Ennovar. “We want to increase WSU’s expertise and start providing opportunities for students to be involved directly.”

Mershard Frierson, vice president of CRG, agrees.

“Without a partnership like this, students aren’t going to come out of college and be cyber security analysts,” said Frierson. “We want to hire Wichitans. We want to see a better Wichita and a better Kansas. We want to be a part of it. We know it’s important.”

Another goal of the new Cyber Security and Forensics Research Group is to establish a security operations center, a centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level – a central location from where staff supervises the site, using data-processing technology.

Students working for the new center will be involved in tasks such as log verification, virus scans, server patch updates and other unique needs of CRG clients.

“We also want to helps students acquire certifications in the certain areas of cyber security to enhance their skills and strengthen their resumes,” Frierson said.

Ennovar Technology Solutions emphasizes education, emerging technology, experiential learning, evolutionary research, exploration and engagement.

Ennovar is a derivative of the Spanish word “innovar,” which means “to innovate.”