Texas State, ManTech collaborate on “Computer Forensics”

Date of Release: 01/18/2006

SAN MARCOS—Texas State University-San Marcos has announced an agreement to develop a computer forensics curriculum, applications for research and internship programs with ManTech International Corporation, a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions focused on mission-critical national security programs for the Intelligence Community and the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, Justice and other U.S. federal government customers. The relationship may also lead to the pursuit of cooperative business opportunities.

Texas State officials will work with ManTech's computer forensics and intrusion analysis business unit to build practical applications for their research that can be applied and used on a daily basis. They will also develop a computer forensics curriculum, as part of their computer science department offerings.

Moonis Ali, Chair of the Computer Science Department at Texas State said, "We are excited about finding common research interests where we can collaborate. An industry partner allows us an insight into trends in the field that we do not regularly see. ManTech has highly-skilled computer security professionals and an excellent reputation in the field."

ManTech's computer forensics and intrusion analysis unit provides services to the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, civilian government agencies and commercial customers--including law firms. The majority of their work supports highly sensitive critical national security programs.

"Our computer forensics unit is one of the most sophisticated and advanced technology groups in our marketplace," said Gary Dorland, President of ManTech Security and Mission Assurance. "Joining with a highly-regarded university program will allow us to influence their computer security curriculum, which will hopefully produce more graduates with skills in this high-demand, advanced technology area."

The Department of Computer Science at Texas State has approximately 400 undergraduate majors in computer science, and more than 150 graduate majors. Students have access to a large number of computing platforms ranging from mainframes to personal computers and workstations running various operating systems with a wide range of applications software. The department also has an industry advisory board of approximately 45 chief executive officers, vice presidents, or top management from computer companies. Texas State's bachelor of science in computer science program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. This nationally recognized accreditation is currently held by only 196 computer science programs out of 3,000 nationwide. These accredited programs include MIT and Berkeley.

According the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in cyber security, protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack."