Welcome to the Cyber Circle at LaGuardia Community College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). The Cyber Circle is a hub dedicated to excellence in cybersecurity education, undergraduate research, and outreach. Established to address the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals, the Cyber Circle provides comprehensive resources and programs that align with industry standards and best practices. Our mission is to equip students with critical knowledge and skills to protect digital assets, mitigate risks, and enhance cyber defense capabilities across various sectors.
LaGuardia’s Cybersecurity AAS program offers a robust curriculum encompassing key areas of cybersecurity, such as secure system design, risk management, ethical hacking, and incident response. Through hands-on labs, simulations, and collaborations with industry leaders, students gain practical, real-world experience.
Our Center is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that attracts and develops talent from diverse backgrounds, preparing graduates to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Cybersecurity Degree Program
LaGuardia offers a comprehensive and cutting-edge Cybersecurity degree designed to prepare students for successful careers in the rapidly evolving field of digital security. The program provides a solid foundation in the principles of computer security, cryptography, networking, and risk management, equipping students with the practical skills needed to protect information systems and safeguard sensitive data from cyber threats.
The Cybersecurity degree at LaGuardia focuses on hands-on learning through real-world labs, industry-standard tools, and simulations. Students gain in-depth knowledge of topics such as network security, ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, and incident response. The program also emphasizes the development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical proficiency—skills essential for tackling the complex challenges in the cybersecurity landscape. Learn more.
Validated Program of Study
The National Security Agency (NSA) and a committee of academic peers have validated the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity program at LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC) through the 2029 academic year. The Program of Study Validation confirms our capacity to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals and contribute to the protection of the nation’s information infrastructure.
Validated Courses
Full Time Faculty
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Doyel Pal, PhD | Professor of Computer Science |
| Praveen Khethavath, PhD | Professor of Computer Science |
| Omar Ait Hellal, PhD | Professor of Computer Science |
| Alaa Darabseh, PhD | Associate Professor of Computer Science |
Part Time Faculty
- Christian Duque
Adjunct Lecturer - Adel Tarfaia
Adjunct Lecturer - Shadi Haidar
Adjunct Lecturer - Abdelsalam Q. Obaidat, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor - Emad Nassar
Adjunct Lecturer - Walter De La Torre
Lecturer
News and Events
Upcoming Events
- Student workshop on Prompt Injection (February 5, 2025)
- AI in Cybersecurity (March 19, 2025)
- Interview Preparation workshop (March 26, 2025)
- Capture the Flag (April 16, 2025)
- LAGCC Spring Hackathon (April 30 – May 3, 2025)
Past Events
- Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Information Session (November 2024)
- Cybersecurity Info Session and Advising (October 2024)
- LaGuardia Launches CUNY 2X Tech Academy with Ribbon Cutting and Career Panel (May 2024)
- Securing Servers and Analyzing Threats using CrowdSec (May 2024)
- Cloud Computing Workshop – Part 2 (May 2024)
- Cybersecurity Info Session and Advising (April 2024)
- Cloud Computing Workshop – Part 1 (April 2024)
- Securing Systems with OpenVAS on GCP: A Practical Demonstration (December 2023)
- From LaGuardia to Mastercard: Navigating Cybersecurity and PCI Compliance (October 2023)
- Python Workshop (October 2023)
- Network Administration and Information Security Information Session (October 2023)
- LaGuardia Community College Students Move from Mastercard Apprentices to Employees (May 2023)
- Information Security Workshop (April 2023)
- Vulnerability Management (April 2023)
- Ropes of Cryptography (March 2023)
- Meet the CyberNinjas (March 2023)
- LaGuardia Launches Cybersecurity Training Program with Mastercard (October 2021)
Outreach
At LaGuardia Community College, we are committed to promoting cybersecurity awareness and education to our students, faculty, and local communities. Through the College Now program, LAGCC engages local high school students, introducing them to cybersecurity concepts early on. These partnerships aim to create pathways for high school students to explore careers in cybersecurity and other tech fields.
Institutional Security Resources and Awareness
LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, offers a range of cybersecurity trainings and resources to protect its students, faculty, and staff from digital threats. The college offers safe internet connections, tools to protect data, and tech support to keep personal information secure. Cybersecurity awareness is promoted through training sessions, workshops, and online resources, helping the community recognize and prevent potential threats like phishing and malware. Additionally, the college emphasizes the importance of strong passwords and regular software updates to maintain a secure online environment. Ensuring institutional security is a top priority, with ongoing efforts to strengthen protections and raise awareness across the campus community. The Office of Information Technology provides detailed information on LaGuardia’s institutional security resources and awareness page.
Industry Advisory Board
The LaGuardia Community College Industry/ Tech Advisory Board consists of professionals and experts from various sectors of the IT and cybersecurity industry, providing valuable insights and guidance to ensure the college’s programs meet current industry standards. This collaboration helps shape curriculum development, fosters internship opportunities, and strengthens the connection between academic learning and real-world applications.
Advisory Board Members
- Debbie Roman – Managing Director at PerScholas
- Emad Nassar – Senior Institutional Researcher and Adjunct Professor at LAGCC
- Gwendolyn D. Murph – Director at NYC Health + Hospitals
- Jason Bryan – Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Officer at LAGCC
- Michael Montecuollo – Director of Principal Consulting at DOOR3
- Nicholas Riedinger – Senior Principal Risk Specialist at FINRA
- Robina Brown – IT Supervisor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Thomas Abraham – CEO at HubSpire Corp
The Tech Advisory Board is committed to providing ongoing guidance, ensuring the program stays aligned with industry standards, and supporting the continuous development of students’ skills to meet the evolving demands of the cybersecurity field. As part of this commitment, the Tech Advisory Board will adhere to the principles set forth in the team charter, fostering effective collaboration and decision-making in all their activities.
The advisory board meets twice a year with program director and professors, offers feedback on skill requirements, career pathways, and the relevance of the program to workforce demands, improving graduates’ employability. Feel free to explore the agenda for previous meetings and meeting minutes for further context and insights into past discussions.
