Cybersecurity experts from the state’s three largest research universities have joined together to launch the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence with the goal of improving Oregon’s resilience to cyberattacks. The Center, which will serve as an advisory body to the Governor and the State Legislature, will also help coordinate cybersecurity workforce development, education, awareness, and training across the state, as well as focusing on the unmet needs of regional and local government agencies, special and school districts and libraries.
The Center, housed at Portland State University (PSU) and operated jointly by PSU, Oregon State University (OSU), and University of Oregon (UO), was created by the passage of HB 2049, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek in July 2023.
PSU, OSU and UO developed a charter for the center effective in November, and activities are anticipated to begin in January 2024.
“Cyberattacks hit public agencies, private businesses and individuals daily. Malicious actors are demanding ransom payment in exchange for access to stolen data,” said Representative Nancy Nathanson, who co-sponsored the bill. “Oregon school districts, cities, and businesses aren't just vulnerable — they are being attacked.”
The bill, also co-sponsored by Senator Aaron Woods, represents years of work to garner enough support to gain passage.
“HB 2049 marks a significant stride in fortifying Oregon’s digital defense by establishing the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, a hub for enhancing cybersecurity expertise and resources across public, private, and educational sectors,” Woods said. “The center will boost Oregon’s cybersecurity workforce and help fortify Oregon against evolving digital threats.”
Birol Yesilada, a professor at PSU and director of PSU’s Mark O. Hatfield Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense Center, will serve as the Center’s first director. Yesilada noted that activities coordinated by the Center will measurably improve the security, privacy, and resiliency of cyberspace in Oregon. He stated that many organizations across the state, including the League of Oregon Cities, the Oregon Association of Counties, the Technology Association of Oregon, and others were involved in making this Center a reality.
“The opportunity for having such a profound societal impact and working with all these stakeholders make our involvement in the Center uniquely exciting,” Yesilada said.
Having three major universities join to host such a Center is unusual, but Reza Rejaie, professor and department head of Computer Science at UO, said the relationship is good for all involved.
“Universities are uniquely positioned to establish or extend relationships with various stakeholders, and collectively offer the required expertise and experiences to support, coordinate, and execute wide range of envisioned activities to address Cybersecurity challenges across the state,” Rejaie said.
Rejaie will serve as an associate director of the Center.
“It is also helpful that the three schools, and the people involved, work incredibly well together — it is a great team,” said Rakesh Bobba, associate professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at OSU, who joins Rejaie and Yesilada at the Center as an associate director. “I’m especially excited by the workforce development opportunities in cybersecurity the Center will help create, and the direct impact this will have on improving Oregon’s cybersecurity posture.”