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UVA Wise Receives Cybersecurity Research Award

Dedra Duty
Students in classroom with computers

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) has been awarded a $60,000 grant through the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Southwest Virginia node to advance cybersecurity research in Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. 

The funded project, Cybersecurity and Behavioral Risk Analytics in Remote Audit Practice: A Regional Study in Southwest Virginia and Appalachia, is led by Gurkan Akalin, Ph.D., UVA Wise business and economics chair, Executive Director of the Institute for Applied Data Analytics and Professor of Business Analytics, working alongside of Ning Zhou, CPA, and accounting instructor. 

The study will focus on the intersection of cybersecurity and human behavior in remote auditing practices, an increasingly critical field as organizations adapt to digital and hybrid work environments. Through data analytics and applied research, the team will investigate how cybersecurity threats and behavioral risks impact the reliability of remote auditing, offering insights that will strengthen regional workforce readiness.

“This project advances our vision of making UVA Wise a hub for technology and innovation in Southwest Virginia, addressing cybersecurity and behavioral risks in auditing while preparing our students to lead in the digital future,” says Akalin.

The grant is part of the 2026 Cybersecurity Research Program, which supports innovative projects across Virginia that focus on the intersection of data, autonomy and security. The CCI Southwest Virginia Node, led by Virginia Tech, connects 16 institutions of higher education, including UVA Wise, with the shared goal of building research capacity, accelerating startup creation and growing a workforce pipeline in cybersecurity.

“I am thrilled to collaborate on this fascinating project. Our research will enhance cybersecurity awareness among students and local professionals, positively impacting our college and empowering the next generation of auditors in Southwest Virginia and Appalachia,” says Zhou.

Established in 2019, the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative is Virginia’s engine for research, innovation and workforce development at the intersection of cybersecurity, autonomy and intelligence. With a network of more than 40 Virginia institutions and industry partners, CCI is building the foundation for the state’s long-term leadership in cybersecurity.

By participating in this initiative, UVA Wise contributes to the commonwealth effort to position Virginia as a global leader in cybersecurity and remote auditing. The College’s involvement highlights its role in regional innovation and its commitment to preparing students for emerging technology-driven careers.