Program Overview

Introduction to the DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic is a university-based program that trains students from diverse backgrounds and academic expertise to strengthen the digital defenses of non-profits, hospitals, municipalities, small businesses, and other under-resourced organizations in the community. The clinic's mission is to deliver real-world, client-facing cybersecurity learning that accelerates student workforce readiness and empowers non-profits to boost awareness, adopt essential safeguards, and reduce risk.

Our Mission

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic aims to provide student-led cybersecurity risk assessments that identify security vulnerabilities and recommend practical safeguards to organizational security improvements. Through this process, students gain hands-on, real-world experience that prepares them for careers in the cybersecurity workforce.

Why a DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic?

Nonprofit organizations and small businesses strengthen Chicago's communities, delivering critical services that improve lives. As these organizations increasingly rely on digital systems, they face growing cyber threats, such as phishing, account compromise, and data breaches, yet often lack the resources to hire expensive security consultants. The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic addresses this challenge by providing cybersecurity services to these organizations.

Who We Serve

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic serves community nonprofit organizations and small businesses in Chicago.

Student Eligibility

DePaul full-time students who have completed prerequisite courses are eligible to participate in the clinic.

What We Do

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic provides student-led cybersecurity risk assessments, security policy development, access control, Google Workspace security, computer security, and network security services. The clinic also offers training workshops and security program development to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture.

Security Risk Assessment

The clinic conducts security risk assessments to identify security vulnerabilities and recommend practical safeguards.

Training Workshops

The clinic offers training workshops to help organizations improve their cybersecurity awareness and adopt essential safeguards.

Security Program Development

The clinic develops security programs to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture.

Examples of Security Areas We Address

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic addresses various security areas, including:

• Security Policy Development: The clinic provides clients with policy documents based on widely used industry security guidance that can be implemented as-is or customized.
  • Password policy
  • Incident response plan
  • Acceptable use policy
• Access Control: The clinic assesses role-based access control for shared drives and organizational systems and performs access log analysis.
  • MFA usage
  • Physical access controls
• Google Workspace Security: The clinic assesses the security settings and system access of Google Workspace for Nonprofits and makes recommendations to improve access to shared drives, email configuration, and data protection.
• Computer Security: The clinic assesses and recommends fundamental security settings and safeguards for employer-issued computers and BYOD.
• Network Security: The clinic examines router settings and connected devices, assesses remote access and data encryption, and provides tutorials on how to configure network security.
• AI in Nonprofits: The clinic provides training on responsible AI usage policies and identifies AI-enhanced cyber threats.

Student Readiness for Client Engagement

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic prepares students for client engagement through:

DePaul's Cybersecurity Curriculum

The clinic's curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage with clients.

Faculty Coaching

The clinic's faculty provides coaching and guidance to students to ensure they are prepared for client engagement.

Interdisciplinary Teams

The clinic's interdisciplinary teams provide students with the opportunity to work with students from other disciplines and develop a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity.

Security Daemon Student Club Competitions

The clinic's security daemon student club competitions provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in a competitive environment.

Security Standards & Regulatory Frameworks

The clinic's security standards and regulatory frameworks provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity landscape.

Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics Engagement

The clinic's engagement with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics provides students with the opportunity to learn from and engage with other cybersecurity clinics.

DePaul Faculty Affiliates and Student Staff

The DePaul Cybersecurity Clinic is led by a team of experienced faculty affiliates and student staff, including:

• Janine L Spears, PhD, Clinic Founder and Director
• Ryan Haley, Clinic Associate Director
• Tawei (David) Wang, PhD, Associate Dean Driehaus College of Business
• Miranda Standberry-Wallace, Associate Director, Steans Center
• Manon, Research Assistant
• Vinay, Student Leader
• Alex, Clinic Assistant