Director’s Message
Welcome to the Nevada Institute of Cybersecurity at UNLV.
Cybersecurity is no longer a specialized discipline confined to technical fields; it is foundational to economic resilience, public safety, national security, and the protection of our daily lives.
The NIC serves as a centralized hub for cybersecurity research, education, and community engagement. Building upon UNLV’s nationally recognized Center of Academic Excellence designation by the National Security Agency, the Center expands our impact through coordinated interdisciplinary research, structured workforce development, and meaningful partnerships with industry and government.
Our mission is both practical and forward-looking.
- Support: Helping local businesses and public agencies through workshops, training, and cybersecurity assessments.
- Cultivate: Engaging the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through K–12 outreach and mentoring.
- Prepare: Developing work-ready graduates through hands-on experience, certifications, and applied security projects.
Cyber threats evolve rapidly. Our response must be coordinated, innovative, and collaborative. The NIC brings together faculty, students, and partners across disciplines to advance cutting-edge research while delivering real-world solutions that strengthen Nevada and contribute to national cybersecurity excellence.
We invite you to engage with us as we build a more secure and resilient digital future.
Dr. Juyeon Jo, Ph.D.
Professor, NIC Executive Director
About Our Cybersecurity Programs
Nevada's cybersecurity landscape faces two significant challenges: a shortage of skilled professionals and a high incidence of cybercrime. Currently, Nevada fills only 68% of available cybersecurity positions, significantly lagging behind the national average of 83%. This shortage leaves the state vulnerable to cyberattacks, which have been on the rise nationwide.
UNLV’s cybersecurity programs are designed to address this deficit by uniting interdisciplinary expertise and creating pathways to train, certify, and deploy cybersecurity professionals across the state.
UNLV Facilities and Resources
UNLV has multiple computer labs including a Computer Security Lab equipped with workstations loaded with cyberattack and defense tools. This lab offers an environment for students to learn and practice the necessary skills for cybersecurity in an isolated setting as well as provides hands-on experience in performing and detecting cyberattacks. Students learn the vulnerabilities of operating systems and applications, common attack methods through demonstrations and lab projects, and how to protect their computer systems.
In addition, students can practice mastering the core concepts of information security in the university’s immersive cyber range. This controlled environment mimics real-world IT infrastructures, complete with networks, systems, applications, and even simulated user activity. Students get experience detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats without impacting live production systems.