Prior to becoming instructor of Business and Technology and Program Director of Cybersecurity at Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ), Ron Bush decided to start his own business. Around 2004, Bush recalls that hacking took a sharp uptick, prompting him to get involved in cybersecurity—a field many companies did not understand—and he started consulting for about eight years since he had a background in programming.
“I discovered that most of the other companies in that organization didn't understand cybersecurity, didn't understand how to protect the documents. I did, so since I had the background that lends itself to it, I thought it just makes sense to continue consulting,” Bush said.
Bush then began teaching courses at CCSJ and Ivy Tech Community College before moving to Arizona for three years. At that time, CCSJ and Ivy Tech decided to partner together to create a cybersecurity program and asked Bush if he would head up the program. Bush accepted the position and moved back to Indiana in August of 2021.
This program and partnership opened up the opportunity to extend beyond the standard associate degree in cybersecurity and offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. Bush considers this a great asset to students and ultimately to the community as a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity provides a more practiced, well-rounded education.
Offering a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity allows students to attend Ivy Tech for the first part of their education and then transfer those cybersecurity credits over to CCSJ. High school students can also take advantage of the program at Ivy Tech and get a head start on their higher education.
“Let's say that they have now completed high school. They got two years of study towards their associate degree at Ivy Tech; let's say they've got 60 credits now. They can take those 60 credits to transfer to Calumet College and come out with a Bachelor of Science in just two more years,” Bush said.
“The faculty at Ivy Tech is excellent; I know because I taught their program, and I've known the folks that teach cybersecurity for years,” Bush continued. “They know what they're doing, they know how to teach, and they really have a heart for their students. I've been impressed with all the different student services they offer, and from a competency standpoint, they're dedicated people that develop their craft and teach well.”
Bush teaches IT and business classes for CCSJ and Ivy Tech on CCSJ’s campus, where the school is in the process of building a computer lab. This computer lab will allow the school to improve its networking, data administration, system administration, software developments, and other capabilities.
With cyberattacks occurring every three to four seconds and over 600,000 cybersecurity jobs needed, having quality, comprehensive cybersecurity programs is vital. Bush also noted that having high-quality individuals studying cybersecurity is crucial because, without integrity, those students become tomorrow’s hackers.
“The level of students is just excellent,” Bush said. “The only people that attend here at Calumet College and the ones that I've met through Ivy Tech classes are just a high caliber of students. They have lots of integrity. I love the student population. A really fun part of the job is getting to know the students.”
To learn more about Calumet College of St. Joseph, visit https://www.ccsj.edu/.