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Marshall Cyber drone flying
Six Pillars

Cyber & Forensic Science

three people exploring how a drone is controlled

Defining the Future of Security

Marshall University is advancing cyber defense and forensic science by empowering students, supporting law enforcement, driving multidisciplinary research, and strengthening national resilience. Through the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security (MUICS) and the Marshall University Forensic Science Center (MUFSC), Marshall combines education, innovation, and service to protect both our digital and physical worlds.

Cyber & Forensic Science is one of Marshall’s six institutional pillars—areas where the University is uniquely positioned to lead and create lasting impact across West Virginia, the nation, and beyond.

This pillar directly supports Marshall’s strategic commitments to:

  • Fuel economic growth in West Virginia and the Appalachian region
  • Deliver a 100% placement rate for graduates through hands-on, mission-ready training
  • Provide a distinct value proposition through real-world education and applied research
hands typing on a keyboard in the Cyber lab

Why this is Important

  • Cyber and forensic professionals form the front line of national security and public safety.
  • Cybercrime costs are projected to reach $12.2 trillion by 2031.
  • Ransomware attacks surged nearly 90% in 2023, threatening governments, businesses, and hospitals alike.
  • The cybersecurity workforce will grow 30% by 2033, while the forensic science field will expand 11%, driven by demand for digital and biological evidence analysis.
  • Breakthroughs in forensic DNA technologies and genetic genealogy are cracking decades-old cold cases, bringing justice and closure where traditional methods fell short.

Both fields are essential to national defense, public safety, and the protection of individual rights.

person working in a Forensic Science lab

How Marshall is Leading

Through hands-on learning, advanced research, and national partnerships, Marshall produces graduates and practitioners who are immediately mission ready.

Institute for Cyber Security (ICS)

  • ICS: A regional and national hub for applied cybersecurity education, research, and workforce development—anchored in Marshall’s World-Class Center of Excellence vision. Creates clear pathways from classroom to career that produce “Marshall-made, mission-ready” graduates.
  • National Cyber Team: Marshall’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Team has achieved five Top 10 national rankings since 2016, including a first-place national championship in 2020.
  • Research & Innovation: Leads applied research that advances national security in areas like critical infrastructure defense, AI, and unmanned/autonomous system forensics.
  • Regional Capacity Building: Empowers West Virginia’s communities by delivering assessments, training, and planning to enhance local cyber resilience.
  • Collaboration: Partnerships with government, industry, and academia create a statewide ecosystem that links talent development with real-world mission impact. Marshall’s cyber and forensic experts have supported real-world operations, including the rescue of 80 human trafficking victims and 30 arrests.
  • World-Class Operations & Sustainability: ICS operates as a national model for excellence, investing in secure labs and facilities that benchmark against leading cyber centers.

Forensic Science Center (FCS)

  • FEPAC-Accredited Forensic Program: One of only 21 accredited programs in the United States, with graduates ranking #1 nationally on the FSAT exam for 12 of the past 14 years, and a 97% job placement rate.
  • Accredited DNA Laboratory: One of only two university-affiliated laboratories designated as a Criminal Justice Agency, having tested and analyzed 10,000+ cases nationwide, including 2,500 sexual assault cases in West Virginia.
  • Evolving Forensic Science Capabilities: Forensic science is evolving rapidly: advanced DNA technologies, investigative genetic genealogy, and digital case management are transforming identification workflows and evidence processing—requiring specialized expertise, infrastructure, and ongoing innovation.
  • Continuing Education and Professional Impact: The FSC has trained more than 3,000 practitioners from local, state, federal, and international agencies—demonstrating Marshall’s deep and ongoing commitment to continuing education, professional development, and national service.