How Cedarville University supports Ohio cyber defense efforts
How Cedarville University supports Ohio cyber defense efforts
Publish Date: 2026-06-08 05:04:00
Source Domain: www.lancastereaglegazette.com
June 8, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET
Students and faculty at Cedarville University are stepping up to defend critical infrastructure and digital systems through service in the cyberspace wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
Three students and one faculty member are part of the specialized unit located in Mansfield, which uses cyber capabilities to support modern air power and respond to the evolving landscape of digital warfare, according to a community announcement.
The students — David Lamoreaux, a junior computer science and cyber operations major; Bruce Wilson Jr., a sophomore computer science and cyber operations major; and Teja Kumbha, a junior IT management major from Canal Winchester — along with Stephanie Long, assistant professor of cybersecurity, are focused on protecting communication systems and sensitive information in an increasingly digital world.
“Cybersecurity touches nearly every part of life, from national defense to business operations, nonprofit organizations and personal data protection,” Long said in the announcement. “Because of this, there is a growing demand for professionals who understand complex systems and can defend them effectively in an increasingly interconnected world.”
Cybersecurity is a growing priority
As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, the demand for cybersecurity expertise continues to grow. While early internet development prioritized functionality and accessibility, today’s global networks require a heightened focus on security, resilience and risk mitigation.
“As society becomes more dependent on technology, everything ultimately comes down to protecting information,” Lamoreaux said, according to the announcement. “Anyone with enough time and resources — usually a nation-state — can eventually get to that data. Our role is to make unauthorized access as difficult, time-consuming and costly as possible.”
Lamoreaux, who has served in the Ohio Air National Guard since 2020, said the next generation of cybersecurity…
