Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center breaks ground

Norwich University, a nationally recognized leader in the cyber domain, will officially break ground on the construction of the new 13,000-square foot Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center (CFC) on April 25. Senator Patrick Leahy, LtGen John J. Broadmeadow '83, USMC (Ret), 25th President of Norwich University, and Phil Susmann, President of Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) will be speaking about the significant and far-reaching impact of this project. 

Among the gathered guests will be the Norwich University Board of Trustees, Campaign Steering Committee, Cyber Fusion Center Design Building Committee, Partridge Society Board of Directors, Norwich community, Northfield Select Board, Northfield town manager, state and local politicians, and key members of the contractors involved in the construction.

“Norwich University extends its sincere gratitude to Senator Patrick Leahy for his unwavering support and advocacy. His robust commitment to constructing a cyber corridor in Vermont echoes his vision and endorsement for this pivotal sector. His astute leadership has been instrumental at every stage, from the inception of cybersecurity education at Norwich to the establishment of the Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) to present day. Senator Leahy’s determined efforts successfully secured federal funding for the Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center, marking yet another achievement in his committed journey. This multidisciplinary space promises to yield substantial benefits for numerous Norwich students, the state of Vermont, and globally, through the accomplishments of Norwich alumni.” – LtGen Broadmeadow

Among his final actions as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy allocated funding for projects throughout Vermont, including $16.4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the multidisciplinary Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center. The key investment will foster educational and workforce training opportunities in cybersecurity, informational learning, computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time decision-making.

Senator Leahy has been instrumental in supporting the vision of the Cyber Fusion Center, a multidisciplinary hub created to facilitate collaboration among students, faculty, and industry partners. The Center aims to proactively address emerging issues in the cyber landscape through an integrated approach, allocating space to projects for research and experiential education. Senator Leahy, who has been warning about the need for action to respond to cyber threats for years, championed the vision of a cyber corridor from Central Vermont to Burlington. Both Norwich University and Champlain College, recognized as National Center of Academic Excellence – Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institutions, have consistently collaborated to bolster the cyber community in Vermont.

“The Cyber Fusion Center is the culmination of years of collaboration, driven by the vision of Vermont’s Cyber Senator, Patrick Leahy,” said Susmann. “He aimed to unite Norwich and NUARI with business and government to address complex challenges through a multidisciplinary approach. The Center builds on Norwich’s traditions of experiential learning, service before self, and entrepreneurial risk-taking.”

Jones Architecture, a firm with a history of collaboration with Norwich University on campus projects including Mack Hall and the Kreitzberg Library, designed the state-of-the-art 13,000-square foot facility that will accommodate various programs for both Norwich and NUARI. The facility’s versatile design ensures it can adapt to the evolving demands of research and development.

The innovative Cyber Fusion Center will host a Security Operations Center, a collaborative work environment, multipurpose meeting and event spaces, classrooms, and various labs. The large open meeting space is equipped with cutting-edge projection, audio, and video conferencing capabilities, complemented by smaller spaces for more individualized needs. Cybersecurity and advanced computing, criminology, communications, and geointelligence will be among the disciplines integrating their strengths in this comprehensive academic space. The externally focused facility further paves the way for Norwich faculty and students, in cooperation with NUARI staff, to explore idea creation in partnership with the private sector, military, and government.