Project Defender: Empowering Students and Protecting Our Communities
May 06, 2025
The Department of Computer Science at Angelo State University proudly highlights the success of Project Defender, a unique initiative directed by Dr. Erdogan Doğdu, Professor and Chair of the Department with the support of ASU Regional Security Operations Center. Modeled after Project Xander, originally launched by MITRE Corporation and UTSA, Project Defender has served the dual purpose of advancing workforce development and strengthening cybersecurity for nonprofit organizations across West Texas.
Building Skills, Supporting the Community
Over the past three years, from Fall 2023 to Spring 2025, graduate students in the Master of Science in Computer Science program have participated in this initiative, gaining real-world, hands-on experience in cybersecurity assessments. Under the mentorship of cybersecurity professionals from the ASU Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC), student teams engaged directly with local non-profits, offering vital cybersecurity evaluations and guidance.
The project focused on three key goals:
- Workforce Development: Preparing students for careers in cybersecurity by providing experiential learning opportunities.
- Community Support: Helping nonprofits strengthen their defenses against cyber threats and minimize potential disruptions to their critical missions.
- Partnership: Aligning with higher education, industry, and government resources to foster best practices in cybersecurity.
Through a structured series of courses—including Computer Networks, Computer and Network Security, and Software Security—students assessed organizational security controls, plans, and policies. Each semester culminated with student teams delivering comprehensive cybersecurity assessment reports and presentations to their assigned nonprofit clients.
Student teams followed established guidelines and best practices from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Cyber Hygiene Guidelines and utilized tools recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Making a Difference for Local Nonprofits
Project Defender proudly partnered with nonprofit organizations across the Concho Valley and West Texas, including:
- Habitat For Humanity - San Angelo
- Concho Valley Workforce Development Board
- Meals for the Elderly
- San Angelo Performing Arts Center
- Concho Valley Community Action Agency
- West Texas Rehabilitation Center
- Rust Street Ministries
- Cyber Texas Foundation
“The support we received through Project Defender was outstanding,” said Pam Hammer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity San Angelo. “Their cybersecurity assessment helped us identify vulnerabilities we weren’t even aware of and gave us a clear path to strengthen our systems. We are so grateful for this partnership and the professionalism of the student teams.”
Each organization benefited from tailored cybersecurity assessments and actionable recommendations, helping them to bolster their cybersecurity resilience despite limited technical resources.
Looking Ahead: The Cyber Clinic Initiative
Following the tremendous success of Project Defender, Angelo State University is preparing to launch a Cyber Clinic in the coming year. This new initiative will expand on Project Defender’s foundation with more comprehensive programming, additional resources, and dedicated funding to continue supporting our community while preparing students for critical roles in cybersecurity.
Stay tuned for more exciting developments as the Department of Computer Science and ASU continues to drive innovation, education, and community impact through cutting-edge initiatives like Project Defender.