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EDUCATION & TRAINING IN 2026
In our mission to train the next generation of security experts, START is proud to announce an exciting lineup of opportunities for 2026. This year offers many ways to expand your knowledge, from a new cybersecurity MOOC to unique pathways in our graduate programs. We also invite you to see the latest from the ICONS project and get to know our director, Dr. Amy Pate, in a special spotlight. We hope you find these resources valuable!
Cybersecurity: Overlooked Threats to Your Strategy
Explore the latest Coursera course led by Dr. Steve Sin, Director of the Unconventional and Asymmetric Threats Division. This course provides a unique adversary-centered perspective that is often absent from conventional cybersecurity training. Learn how human behavior and motivations shape today’s cyber threats and how to respond.
Self-paced | ~2 hours | Shareable certificate
Announcing ICONSnet 4.0
ICONSnet has relaunched with a more powerful, efficient, and secure backend which allows for more powerful research and educational tools. This upgrade to ICONSnet 4.0 enables integration with external AI systems, computational models, and software platforms while maintaining secure and reliable core functionality.
Instructor Spotlight: Dr. Amy Pate
In this Instructor Spotlight, we feature START Director, Dr. Amy Pate, who has been with the center since its inception in 2005. Learn about her journey from graduate research assistant to director, her passion for teaching, and her vision for START's future.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies
Advance your understanding of the complex social, political, economic, and psychological factors behind terrorism and asymmetric security threats. This program equips students with essential theoretical and methodological skills for advanced research and meaningful careers in intelligence and national security.
Fully Online | Synchronous | 12-courses
Save the Date: Maryland Giving Day
Make your impact on March 4! Join us for the University of Maryland’s Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising event, and support START. In a world clouded by misinformation, your contribution helps us provide the clear, fact-based research needed to understand today's most complex security challenges. Every gift makes a difference.
BOOKMARK OUR PAGE AND JOIN US ON MARCH 4, 2026 TO MAKE AN IMPACT!