Google has announced the launch of the Google Cyber NYC Institutional Research Program, which will provide $12 million to boost the cybersecurity ecosystem and make New York City a leading global hub for cybersecurity. The funding will be used for cutting-edge research projects at four of the city’s top institutions of higher education. Additionally, it will be used to expand educational opportunities for students pursuing advanced degrees in cybersecurity.
To support this initiative, The City University of New York, Columbia University, Cornell University, and New York University will each receive $1 million in annual funding through 2025. This funding will support approximately 90 collaborative research projects by 2025 in areas where more research could lead to the development of more secure digital ecosystems and inspire innovation. The universities will also use the funding to grow their cybersecurity degree programs, strengthen the future workforce, and promote underrepresented groups in cybersecurity.
Furthermore, the funding aims to address diversity gaps in the cybersecurity industry by focusing on recruiting and developing employees from underrepresented groups.
On Monday morning, the deans from each university had a fireside chat with Google Cloud Chief Information Security Officer Phil Venables to discuss New York’s unique position as a global financial capital and its need for advanced cyber resources.
“The Google Cyber NYC Institutional Research Program will further propel New York as a research leader in cybersecurity, alongside the work of preeminent city institutions like New York City Cyber Command,” said Phil Venables, Chief Information Security Office for Google Cloud. “At Google, we’re committed to being bold and responsible stewards of emerging technology like AI, so we’re working together with four of New York’s leading institutions to make sure the city is prepared as the threat landscape continually shifts.”
“It is more important than ever that we invest in the resources needed to protect New Yorkers and our critical infrastructure from cyber threats,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “We applaud Google for leveraging the incredible talent and resources coming from the city’s academic institutions to continue building career pipelines, with a priority on underrepresented groups, while sparking cutting-edge research that will advance the cybersecurity industry and create a safer future for all New Yorkers.”
“We are proud that Google has recognized CUNY’s excellence in this area and that they are partnering with us to educate and train a diverse group of cybersecurity experts who over the next few years will be exposed to and help develop more effective cybersecurity measures” said CUNY Graduate Center Dean for the Sciences Joshua Brumberg. “Google’s funding will also help support CUNY-based research projects to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies that better protect information and access to valuable assets.”
“Making systems safe, secure, and trustworthy is incredibly hard, and it’s only going to become harder in the age of AI. Cornell is grateful and eager to take on this challenge with Google and with our colleagues across New York,” said Greg Morrisett, the Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech. “We believe NYC will be the epicenter for next-generation research, students, and startups in cyber, trust, and safety, and we applaud Google for its leadership and unwavering support for Cornell University.”
“Building more secure and trustworthy systems is crucial to realizing the promise of new technologies that will change our lives,” said Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of Columbia Engineering. “New York City is the natural choice for these critical efforts as it continues to expand as both a hub for research innovation and a leader in developing new programs for workforce development. Columbia is proud to support these important initiatives with our world-class faculty and students, together with the many resources we’ve devoted to this area.”
“Unsecure cyberspace is one of the greatest threats to our society and the only way to be sure to create safer information systems, networks and communications is by bringing academia and industry together,” said NYU Tandon School of Engineering Dean, Jelena Kovačević. “This funding from Google will allow our Center for Cybersecurity as well as partners at other NYU schools and across the city to tackle these important threats and focus on a safer future for everyone.”
Google announced a $10 billion cybersecurity initiative in 2021, which includes a program called the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. This certificate, taught by cybersecurity experts at Google, can prepare learners for entry-level jobs in cybersecurity in less than six months, even without prior experience. It also helps businesses fill important roles, such as cybersecurity analyst and information security analyst.
