Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute
Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute
The Institute is a regional, self-sustaining program that brings together universities, the vehicle industry and the Department of Defense.
Its goal is to train more vehicle cybersecurity engineers and computer scientists to meet the growing needs of the military and transportation industries.
Building the Future of Cybersecurity
In 2021, Detroit Mercy received a $1.12 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to create the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute — a partnership of universities working together to strengthen cybersecurity education.
In 2024, the Department of Defense awarded the Institute an additional $497,000 to continue this important work.
This partnership includes several colleges in southeast Michigan, with the University of Arizona as a key research partner.
The Institute focuses on
- hands-on learning and real-world experience
- preparing students for careers that protect modern vehicles and transportation systems from cyber threats.
Working with industry experts, Detroit Mercy helps design an applied curriculum that trains the next generation of cybersecurity engineers.
The Institute builds on Detroit Mercy’s long tradition of educating engineers and technology professionals who use their skills to make the world a safer, better place.
Industry partnerships
To meet the growing demand for cybersecurity engineers, the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute works closely with automotive companies and government partners. These collaborations give students valuable hands-on experience and insight into real-world cybersecurity challenges.
The Institute’s goal is to become self-sustaining after four years. By then, it aims to develop highly qualified cybersecurity graduates and create flexible education pathways that prepare students for careers protecting vehicles and transportation systems across industry and government.
The talent level, funding and equipment in metro Detroit is plentiful and cutting edge. Additionally, the transformational work being conducted on autonomous vehicles by the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and numerous start-ups and supplier partners makes the metro Detroit area uniquely qualified to partner with Detroit Mercy and its consortium partners.
—Paul Spadafora, director of Professional Engineering Programs for Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science
The Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute will lead in the education of our current and future company employees, expand the competency of our workforce to design and protect secure physical cyber systems, including those in electric and autonomous vehicles.
—Kevin Tierney, vice president of Global Cybersecurity at General Motors and chairman of the Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center
Program options to fill cybersecurity needs
Curriculum for the consortium will be developed with the workforce in mind. It includes associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, stackable graduate certificates, hands-on laboratory training and cybersecurity immersion camps for high school students.