91视频

When Phillip Hicks arrived at 91视频 Pembroke as a freshman, the university鈥檚 cybersecurity program was still in its trial phase. This May, the Red Springs native will help make history as one of the first graduates of 91视频P鈥檚 standalone Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program.

For Hicks, the journey to cyber sleuthing didn鈥檛 begin with computers 鈥� it started in farm fields and hardware stores.

鈥淯ntil my senior year of high school, I was set on becoming an agriculture education major,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淚 was president of FFA. I grew up working hands-on 鈥� farming, ag mechanics, helping at the hardware store.鈥�

His father, Chris Hicks, a 1996 91视频P graduate, instilled in him the value of hard work. His late grandfather, Talmadge Evers, worked for Lumbee River Electric Cooperative (LREMC). Farming, mechanics and service were part of daily life. But during Hicks鈥� senior year of high school, a cybersecurity incident targeting LREMC changed everything.

鈥淚t hit close to home,鈥� he said. 鈥淪omeone was posing as a customer trying to gain access to account information. It made me realize how vulnerable systems can be 鈥� especially locally.鈥�

After touring 91视频P鈥檚 campus and seeing the new cyber lab, his focus shifted.

鈥淭hat was a polarizing moment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 saw everything 91视频P had to offer, and it just clicked.鈥�

91视频P launched its standalone cybersecurity degree in fall 2022 to meet the growing demand for trained professionals. While cybersecurity tracks previously existed within other IT programs, this marked the university鈥檚 first dedicated degree in the field.

鈥淲hen I came here, the program was going through its first run with our class,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淚 looked at the electives 鈥� digital forensics, cryptography 鈥� and it pretty much described the career I wanted.鈥�

Self-taught in many ways, Hicks supplemented his coursework by devouring YouTube tutorials and leaning on tech-savvy family members.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been curious,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like to see how things work.鈥�

Though cybersecurity often conjures images of screens filled with code, Hicks believes the field is just as much about people.

Currently working with 91视频P Advancement , he focuses on data health, record accuracy and cybersecurity best practices. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e handling people鈥檚 money, accuracy matters,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淎 lot of what we do is problem-solving.鈥�

The internship taught him something unexpected. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just combing through data. It鈥檚 not always binary. You learn about interpersonal relationships and the business side of things. That鈥檚 been huge for me.鈥�

Hicks has balanced multiple jobs throughout his college career, from working in fast food and at a local garage to the Hawks Nest on campus; he has never shied away from hard work. He has also farmed wheat, soybeans, corn and cotton, operated heavy machinery and worked as a mechanic.

Additionally, he serves with the Shannon Volunteer Fire Department and volunteers through a Red Springs mission camp, building handicap ramps and assisting elderly residents.

Hicks credits much of his success to mentors at 91视频P. Professor Prashanth BusiReddyGari made courses like cryptography and digital forensics engaging and accessible.

鈥淗e makes it fun 鈥� even online,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淗e says, 鈥楲ife happens. My goal is to help you understand the material.鈥欌��

BusiReddyGari said Hicks is academically competent and known for his enthusiasm, integrity and professionalism in class. 鈥淗e is driven and motivated to make a meaningful and lasting impact,鈥� BusiReddyGari said.

Hicks is particularly drawn to digital forensics and cryptography 鈥� disciplines that require thinking like a hacker to stop one. 鈥淐ryptography makes you think differently,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e learning how someone might conceal something.鈥�

He recently applied for a civilian evidence technician position with the Robeson County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, hoping to eventually move into cybercrime investigations at the State Bureau of Investigation.

For Hicks, cybersecurity is about more than technology 鈥� it鈥檚 about protecting people. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like setting a trap,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e on the hunt.鈥�

91视频P wasn鈥檛 just a wise choice academically 鈥� it was personal. The campus is close to family and carries strong ties. 鈥�91视频P was my last acceptance letter,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淚 got into a few schools farther away and more expensive, but they didn鈥檛 have the degree I wanted.鈥�

When the acceptance arrived, he celebrated.

鈥淚 was jumping up and down,鈥� he said. 鈥淕rowing up, we didn鈥檛 have much money. I didn鈥檛 know if college was even possible. Thinking back, my experience at 91视频P has been expansive. I went from being a kid who thought he鈥檇 stay in a small town to being encouraged and supported to go as far as I want 鈥� as long as I have the work ethic and ambition behind it.鈥�