Turner College computer science faculty
member, Patrick Aiken, has been
appointed to head the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity. "We are extremely fortunate to have Patrick Aiken take
on the role of Director of the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity,” stated Dean of
the Turner College of Business, Deborah
Kidder. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge as well as a strong
network in the Cyber and IT corporate community here in Columbus. He has
already been instrumental in getting our Nexus program launched, and I look
forward to working with him as we continue to develop our cybersecurity
initiatives in Turner College." Aiken
replaces the inaugural holder of the Center’s directorship, Michael Barker, who
recently joined the Georgia Institute of Technology as a senior project manager
in cybersecurity. Aiken joined the TSYS
School of Computer Science in 2020, after an impressive private sector career
that includes serving as the IT Director at TSYS from 2000 to 2020, and
Associate IT Director at Aflac from 1991 to 2000. Prior to these, Aiken was a Systems Designer
at CSU from 1988 to 1991. He holds a BBA
in management information systems, an MS in cybersecurity, and an MBA, all from
CSU. The TSYS Center for Cybersecurity,
which opened in October of 2017, was developed from an initial donation of $2.5
million from TSYS. “It’s super exciting to be in a
position that allows me to prepare and connect students from my alma mater with
colleagues in companies in the industry where I spent many wonderful years
doing challenging and rewarding work,” said Aiken. “I’ve wanted to be a part of
preparing this next generation of technology workers and leaders to make the
world a better place! The future is theirs, but it is nice to have some kind of
impact on helping them shape that future.”
Officials in the Turner College's Butler Center for Research and Economic Development recently put the finishing touches on an extensive report on trends in educational programs and occupations in the Columbus area. The report also includes data on business and technology trends. According to Fady Mansour , Director of the Butler Center, there are several key takeaways from the report regarding 10 occupational gaps that currently exist in the Columbus area. First, software development occupation exhibits the biggest labor shortage, with the report adding that the TSYS School has a bachelor's degree program in information technology along with a new AI track for the bachelor's degree in computer science, both of which can qualify students for this occupation. Other educational programs are in demand, such as computer programming and cloud computing. Second, there is a gap of 30 employees per year in general and operations management. This gap could be addressed by the Turn...

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