by Benjamin Konuch, Student Public Relations Writer
The 21st century has been marked by rapid technological advancement in every field. The internet connects people, digitizes everyday life and creates new levels of convenience and integration. But with this progress comes a growing need to protect those digital pathways from misuse — fueling record-high demand for cybersecurity across every industry.
Ă۶ąapp, among the nation’s top three evangelical Christian universities, is committed to preparing professionals to defend individuals, corporations and nonprofits in today’s increasingly digital world. As the need for cybersecurity grows, so does the demand for cyber professionals grounded in integrity and a commitment to public trust.
“Nearly every aspect of our lives is wrapped in cyberspace — from work emails to online banking,” said Nicholas Parry, assistant professor of cyber operations. “It’s not just about national security or big companies. It’s about everyday people trusting dozens of companies with their most sensitive data. That trust has to be built on reliability.”
Parry, a 2008 Cedarville alumnus who joined the cyber operations faculty in 2022, brings years of industry experience to the classroom. He previously worked with top-tier cybersecurity teams at Northrop Grumman Xetron, Tenable Network Security and CrowdStrike. While working to develop security programs and making a name for himself in the field was a valuable opportunity, Parry’s greatest desire was to use his experience to serve and equip the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
“My hope has always been to invest in the next wave of cyber professionals, and my end goal has always been individuals, not projects,” said Parry. “To take the knowledge I’ve gained, the experiences I’ve had and the perspectives I’ve seen and bring them into the classroom is a way to magnify the impact my life can have on serving others far beyond what I could accomplish on my own. That’s the value of cyber education.”
Cyber education plays a vital role in safeguarding society. As technology outpaces the average consumer’s ability to keep up, so do the methods used by cybercriminals to exploit information and acquire data and money from individuals and corporations. Today’s threats require experts who understand complex systems and emerging risks — and who can be trusted to act in the public interest.
“The value of cyber education — especially Christian cyber education — is producing highly trained individuals who serve with integrity,” said David Reid, who graduated from the program in May and is starting his career with the United States Department of Defense. “Because it’s such a complicated and technical field, the average person needs to be able to know that those being trained and sent out to protect know exactly how to do just that. At Cedarville, we’re trained not to operate for profit, but for honor, integrity and service to every single person our cyberspace can reach.”
Trust is central to the field. Because cybersecurity work often happens behind the scenes, society typically only becomes aware of it when something goes wrong, such as a data breach or hack.
“Once trust is broken, it takes a long time to rebuild,” said Parry. “People may not realize how important constant cybersecurity improvement is — precisely because successful protection doesn’t make the news. But thousands of companies work tirelessly to safeguard that trust every day.”
At Ă۶ąapp, cybersecurity education is more than just technical knowledge. It is a calling to serve and protect every American from every walk of life. With instruction from experienced professionals like Parry and recognition from the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Cedarville’s program equips students for future careers built on trust, service and excellence.
Ă۶ąapp, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at .