Unlocking the Future: Hands-On Learning and AI's Role in Cybersecurity Education with Philip Huff

Welcome to Episode 13 of Protect It All! This episode features Philip Huff, a professor at UA Little Rock and a cybersecurity expert. He explores the promise of AI in education, especially for robotics and automation, while cautioning against the erosion of educational rigor. Philip and host Aaron Crow discuss the importance of hands-on learning and real-world experience in aligning educational standards with industry needs. They delve into the role of industry partnerships, the necessity of embedding cybersecurity education at the community college level, and the growing skills gap in technology due to retiring experts. The conversation also covers the advantages of competency-based education and flexible training programs in enhancing social mobility. Throughout, they stress the critical role of human involvement in AI and cybersecurity and the need for innovative, resilient systems. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of education and workforce development in the tech and cybersecurity sectors.   Key Moments:  00:10 Early career challenges prepare for real-world demands. 04:35 Degree's purpose is knowledge and skill acquisition. 08:17 Promoting cyber-informed engineering principles in community colleges. 11:32 Small private school in Texas prioritizes practical engineering. 14:48 Trade skills in high demand, apprenticeships offered. 17:33 Community colleges offer efficient curriculum changes for workforce. 23:12 Team's success attributed to aligning schedules with peers. 26:57 Company and employee benefit from long-term commitment. 28:46 Aligning learning outcomes with career competencies is crucial. 31:44 Retooling professionals for new careers and skills. 36:13 Value education based on future job prospects. 37:35 Integration of AI in education needs balancing. 42:52 Transforming education to align with real learning. 46:28 Transforming classroom for positive shared learning experiences. 49:57 Unused industrial equipment turned into educational tools. 52:10 Learn troubleshooting, not just following instructions. 56:07 Excitement and fear about accessible AI advancements. 59:12 Developing cyber engineering education standards at Idaho National Labs. About the guest :  Philip Huff is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and serves as the Director of Cybersecurity Research in the Emerging Analytics Center. Dr. Huff is also chief scientist and co-founder of Bastazo, a company specializing in cybersecurity solutions for industrial technology. He leads the National Cyber Teaching Academy, the Department of Energy’s Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and the Cybersecurity Consortium for Innovation which all focus on driving work-force development and innovation for cybersecurity in the region. He is also a CISSP. How to conn