TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Create your career at CSU's TSYS Cybersecurity Center.
Columbus State University's TSYS Cybersecurity Center was created to address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in today's workforce. With feedback from real employers, CSU has designed several degree options that transform students into cybersecurity professionals in as little as one year.
CSU designated as National Center of Academic Excellence
Columbus State University has been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2028. This is a very prestigious recognition from the National Security Agency (NSA) for our cybersecurity program.The recognition goes to the top cyber security programs in the country. This allows us to be a part of the CAE Community. Columbus State University will be listed as a CAE-CD on the CAE Institution Map.The CAE-CD designation indicates that CSU is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals.
Watch and learn more about our Cybersecurity Center!
Create your Career at CSU's TSYS Cybersecurity Center
CSU Cyber Range Lab
Mock interviews offer career perspectives and industry connections for CSU cyber students.
We are now recruiting for upcoming Nexus cohorts! For more information, fill out the form below!
Why Cybersecurity?
Starting salary range: $60k to $115k.
More than 720,000 unfilled jobs in the US.
Train in as little as one year.
Why CSU?
Designated by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.
Frequent campus visits by industry leaders from local and regional organizations.
Train on CSU’s world class Cyber Range to defend the network against cyber attacks.
Several Paths to Become a Cybersecurity Professional
| Degrees | Credit Hours | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| NEXUS Practitioner's Certificate | 18 | 1 year |
| NEXUS Degree | 60 | 1–2 years* |
| B.S. in Cybersecurity | 123 | 4 years |
| M.S. in Cybersecurity | 30 | 1.5–2 years |
* Students who have already completed general education coursework may apply those credits to the NEXUS degree, cutting the length of the program down to one year.
CSU’s Academic Partner organizations
CSU has Academic Partnerships with the following organizations, which allows CSU students to get discounted and, in some cases, even free training and other resources from our partner organizations.
Contact Us
Patrick Aiken
Director, TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Department: TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Email: aiken_john@columbusstate.edu
Phone: 706-565-1484
Office: Synovus Center for Commerce & Technology 121
View Profile for Patrick Aiken
Ehab Bedir
Cyber Range Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Department: TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Email: bedir_ehab@columbusstate.edu
Phone: 706-507-8193
Office: Synovus Center for Commerce & Technology 125
View Profile for Ehab Bedir
Yesem Peker
Associate Professor for Graduate Program in Cybersecurity
Department: TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Email: peker_yesem@columbusstate.edu
Phone: 706-507-8187
Office: Synovus Center for Commerce & Technology 422
View Profile for Yesem Peker
If you have questions about CSU’s Computer Science and Cybersecurity Master’s degree programs, please contact Dr. Yesem Peker.
Visit the TSYS School of Computer Science to view all Cybersecurity faculty and programs
Institutional Security Resources and Awareness
