Faculty Profile: Dr. Yanwei Wu

Written by Kristie Reynolds on |

Dr. Yanwei Wu is an associate professor in Computer Science and Software Engineering at UW-Platteville. Wu earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in computer science from Tianjin University in Tianjin, China, before attending Illinois Institute of Technology to pursue her Ph.D. Prior to joining UW-Platteville, Wu taught computer science at Minnesota State University-Mankato and Western Oregon University. She is one of the faculty who will be teaching in the new Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity program this fall.

Why is it important for UW-Platteville to offer the new undergraduate degree in cybersecurity?

There is a severe shortage and an urgent need for cybersecurity professionals in government and private sectors. By providing a cybersecurity major, UW-Platteville is filling the gap by providing much needed cybersecurity professionals.

The program features a state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab and is designed to provide students with hands-on learning. What unique opportunities can students expect to have available to them as they enroll in this major?

In the dedicated cybersecurity lab in Busby Hall, UW-Platteville’s Information Technology Services has set up an environment for cybersecurity students to practice the attacks and defenses they will learn in class. They will also have the opportunity to attend state and national cybersecurity competitions and ultimately apply what they’ve learned to strengthen their security skills and techniques in the real world.

The cybersecurity curriculum goes live this fall. As a professor, what about the addition of this new program are you most looking forward to?

I am looking forward to the new cybersecurity lab in Busby Hall. It will be helpful in enriching students’ hands-on experience.

The program follows ABET guidelines and is aligned with industry certificates. How will students benefit from a degree in cybersecurity?

Students will develop a cybersecurity mindset, allowing them to apply security principles and techniques in software development, identify network attacks and defend network communication, assess system risks, and design robust systems. After graduation, students with these skills will be desired by both government and private sectors.