UGA CyberArch

Data and Technology

UGA CyberArch

About UGA CyberArch

UGA CyberArch is a program that addresses the challenges of cybersecurity for Georgia’s communities and businesses. It is a collaboration between UGA’s academic and public service units, and provides a free cybersecurity risk review service for partner organizations, such as K-12 school districts, local governments, rural hospitals, and small businesses. The partner organizations remain confidential, adding another layer of security to the program.

The service is conducted by student interns, who work in teams of four to conduct a cybersecurity risk review based on the CIS Security Controls, v8.0, Implementation Group 1 safeguards combined with an onsite visit. The review process culminates in a final report with recommendations to improve the organization's security.

UGA CyberArch was launched in the Fall of 2017 as a pilot project, and has since grown to involve multiple units, dozens of undergrad interns and graduate research assistants. The program is facilitated by the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, which helps government leaders assess the risk to their communities and meet the legal obligations of the information age. UGA CyberArch collaborates with the UGA Archway Partnership, which connects communities with UGA resources and expertise, and the UGA Small Business Development Center, which helps small businesses grow and develop through one-on-one, confidential consulting.

View the CyberArch History page for more.

Services

UGA CyberArch provides a cybersecurity risk review service for partner organizations in Georgia. Partners include K-12 school districts, local governments, rural hospitals, and small businesses. The service is free of charge, and provides a total value of approximately $60,000 to $180,000 from seven teams working over a semester.

The cybersecurity risk review service consists of three phases:

  • Phase 1: Initial Assessment. The student interns, working in teams of four, review a series of risk questions to understand the current cybersecurity situation of the partner organization. The questions cover topics such as policies, procedures, training, hardware, software, network, data, and incident response.
  • Phase 2: Site Visit. The student interns visit the partner organization to observe their operations, interview key personnel, and collect additional data. The visit helps the interns validate and supplement the information gathered in the initial assessment.
  • Phase 3: Final Report. The student interns analyze the data collected and prepare a final report that includes recommendations to enhance the cybersecurity posture of the partner organization. The report is presented to the partner organization and the UGA CyberArch faculty and staff.

The cybersecurity risk review service benefits both the partner organizations and the student interns. The partner organizations receive a comprehensive and confidential assessment of their cybersecurity strengths and weaknesses, as well as actionable suggestions to improve their security. Through hands-on experience in conducting a cybersecurity risk review, student interns gain valuable skills that help them pursue cybersecurity careers.

Organizations interested in risk reviews should fill out our Contact form

Student Involvement

Students are vital to UGA CyberArch! The program involves student interns working in teams of four. They conduct a cybersecurity risk review, make a site visit, and create a final report with recommendations to improve an organization’s cybersecurity posture. 

In addition to learning about cybersecurity best practices, UGA CyberArch interns gain valuable skills that help them pursue cybersecurity careers.

Visit the CyberArch Internships page for more about our intern program.

Collaboration

UGA CyberArch collaborates with a number of UGA Public Service and Outreach units as well as academic departments and colleges across the University.  

Join Us in Building a Safer Digital Future

Welcome to UGA CyberArch, where innovation meets cybersecurity to fortify Georgia’s digital infrastructure and create a resilient cyber ecosystem. Housed at the Institute of Government, UGA CyberArch is a collaborative initiative between various academic and public service units at the University of Georgia, including the College of Engineering, the School of Computing, the Institute for Cybersecurity and Privacy and the Terry College of Business MIS department.  UGA CyberArch is dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges of cybersecurity for communities and businesses across the state.

At UGA CyberArch, we offer a unique experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to actively engage in cybersecurity research and application. Through partnerships with K-12 school districts, local governments, rural hospitals, and small businesses, our interns work in teams to conduct cybersecurity risk reviews, helping organizations enhance their awareness of cyber threats and strengthen their preparedness and response measures.

In addition to our student-driven initiatives, UGA CyberArch is committed to providing cybersecurity education for the broader community. Our interactive cybersecurity manual, developed by the Georgia Informatics Institute, equips individuals with essential knowledge on staying secure online, covering topics such as privacy, passwords, phishing, malware, and backups.

Together, we can navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and build a safer digital future for Georgia and beyond.

Contact CyberArch 

 

 

CyberArch student sitting at a computer.

CyberArch News