Excelsior University Announces New Partnership with OPSWAT Academy  

View video of Excelsior University and OPSWAT Academy representatives announcing the partnership here. 

ALBANY, N.Y.  — Excelsior University and OPSWAT Academy™, a global leader in Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity training, are proud to announce a new partnership aimed at advancing cybersecurity education in an evolving global threat landscape. This collaboration will provide Excelsior faculty with the opportunity to engage in dialogue with industry leaders at OPSWAT to discuss current challenges in cybersecurity. OPSWAT employees, clients, and OPSWAT Academy™ students will benefit from the partnership, including a tuition discount for Excelsior’s more than 40 online degree and certificate programs. 

“This collaboration reflects Excelsior’s dedication to meeting learners where they are, both educationally and geographically, with innovative, workforce-ready programs,” said David Schejbal, president of Excelsior University. “Our partnership will help develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by combining Excelsior’s nationally recognized cybersecurity degree programs with experiential training provided by industry leaders at OPSWAT Academy™.” 

Excelsior University was recently redesignated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency, further underscoring its commitment to cybersecurity education. 

Cybersecurity literacy is crucial across multiple Excelsior fields of study, including allied health, nursing, business, and technology. The partnership will connect students in Excelsior’s programs with OPSWAT Academy’s™ immersive learning experience. Excelsior students and alumni may be eligible for specialized training through OPSWAT Academy’s™ $10 million scholarship program, designed to enhance skills in addressing emerging critical infrastructure cybersecurity threats. This will help strengthen the capabilities of both current professionals and future cybersecurity leaders. 

OPSWAT Academy™ is a world-class e-learning platform specializing in IT and OT security training for professionals in CIP. Designed by industry experts, courses provide hands-on experience to prepare learners for real-world challenges. Started as an educational venture by OPSWAT, the program is dedicated to transforming CIP cybersecurity training. By offering immersive educational programs, OPSWAT Academy™ strives to close the cybersecurity skills gap, cultivate a worldwide network of proficient cybersecurity experts, and reinforce the safeguarding of global critical infrastructure. 

Irfan Shakeel, VP of training and certification services at OPSWAT, stated, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to student-focused, career-oriented education. By collaborating with Excelsior University, we’re offering students and alumni valuable opportunities to enhance their learning with real-world cybersecurity training. Together, we aim to equip them with the skills needed to advance in this dynamic field.” 

Employees of OPSWAT, its clients, and OPSWAT Academy™ students will have the opportunity to pursue Excelsior’s degree programs, such as the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Science in Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and the new Executive MBA. Excelsior’s Credit for Prior Learning program may award college credit for OPSWAT Academy’s™ Advanced Critical Infrastructure Protection Cybersecurity Bundle training, allowing students to leverage these workforce skills toward an Excelsior degree, saving both time and money. Excelsior faculty will evaluate additional OPSWAT Academy™ courses for potential credit transfer opportunities. 

OPSWAT Academy’s™ focus aligns with Excelsior University’s educational offerings in Cybersecurity and Information Technology. The partnership opens doors for collaboration in sectors that both organizations serve, including corporate, government, and academic environments, creating new opportunities for students and professionals alike. 

For more information on the partnership, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/partner/opswat.   

Media Contacts  

Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, communications manager, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446 

OPSWAT:
Kat Lewis, VP of global marketing & communications, kat.lewis@opswat.com 

OPSWAT Academy™:
 Irfan Shakeel, VP of training and certification services, irfan.shakeel@opswat.com 

About Excelsior University
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.      

About OPSWAT Academy™ 

OPSWAT Academy™, an educational initiative by OPSWAT, is dedicated to transforming cybersecurity training that delivers cutting-edge, practical learning experiences that empower individuals and organizations to defend critical infrastructure effectively. 

Through immersive educational programs, OPSWAT Academy™ aims to bridge the CIP cybersecurity skills gap, cultivate a global network of skilled CIP cybersecurity professionals, and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure worldwide. 

About OPSWAT 

For the last 20 years OPSWAT, a global leader in IT, OT, and ICS critical infrastructure cybersecurity, has continuously evolved an end-to-end solutions platform that gives public and private sector organizations and enterprises the critical advantage needed to protect their complex networks and ensure compliance. Empowered by a “Trust no file. Trust no device.™” philosophy, OPSWAT solves customers’ challenges around the world with zero-trust solutions and patented technologies across every level of their infrastructure, securing their networks, data, and devices, and preventing known and unknown threats, zero-day attacks, and malware. Discover how OPSWAT protects the world’s critical infrastructure and helps secure our way of life; visit www.opswat.com.