▲ICT Polytechnic University (Photo courtesy of ICT Polytechnic University)

Information and communication facility construction industry, problem of lack of young manpower
“You need to pay attention to hardware security such as network equipment”

ICT Polytechnic University serves as a cradle for education for field personnel in the information and communication construction field and is actively working to solve problems related to the shortage of personnel and maintenance and repairs in the field.

Professor Jang Jin-hyeon of the Department of Smart Communications at ICT Polytechnic University mentioned the importance of infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repairs, such as optical cable construction and network equipment security, in the information and communications field in an interview with our newspaper on the 19th.

In the 2022 global internet speed rankings, Korea lost face by ranking 19th.

Professor Jang cited inadequate aftercare as the cause of the slow Internet speed, and emphasized that continuous maintenance and upkeep are essential, as well as the importance of training related personnel.

Although it is an absolutely necessary job, there is talk of a shortage of young workers in industries such as the construction and opening of information and communication facilities due to issues such as low labor costs.

ICT Polytechnic University, which conducts important theories and practices related to information and communication, also reported that it is concerned about the lack of young workers when conducting field personnel training, and the future shortage of personnel for optical communication networks and facility construction.

In the field of communicationsAnother issue is the lack of interest in hardware security.

While interest in software security, such as software and cloud, is growing day by day, there is relatively little interest in the security of hardware, such as network equipment.

Professor Jang emphasized that if the foundation of hardware security is not established, the effectiveness of software security will inevitably decline, and that continuous education and development must be carried out.

ICT Polytechnic University is an ICT specialized university designated by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the only specialized training institution in Korea for training construction personnel for information and communication construction projects, and is actively working to solve the above problems.

▲ICT Polytechnic University lecture (Photo courtesy of ICT Polytechnic University)

The university actively responds to current or changed regulations, prevents current and future employees from experiencing difficult situations, and provides education that helps trainees understand through practical equipment and provides practical help in the field.

Kim Seong-hee, team leader of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Team at ICT Polytechnic College, explained, “ICT Polytechnic College systematically trains information and communication technology-based personnel required for the growth and advancement of the ICT industry, and has a vision to contribute to the development of ICT expertise beyond Korea and on a global scale.”

ICT Polytechnic University consists of a total of five departments: Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Department of Smart Communication Engineering, Department of AI Image Security, Department of IT Convergence, and Department of Information Security.

The Department of Information and Communication Engineering covers the basic principles of electrical, electronic, and communications fields, as well as network hardware and software.It covers software construction and analysis technology, and also conducts IoT control, network construction and operation training. In particular, the university has established a specialized training center for CNAP (Cisco Networking Academy Program, Cisco Systems network education program) to provide an environment where students can grow into network experts.

The Department of Smart Communications has a curriculum for optical communication system experiments and design capabilities along with the technology required for designing artificial intelligence networks. In addition to theoretical classes such as Introduction to AI Basics and Smart Optical Communications, practical classes are also conducted to secure the ability to build and operate optical communication networks in the optical communication specialized practice field (FTTH SYSTEM).

The AI Image Security Department includes the basics of digital broadcasting technology, transmission principles of image and audio signals, and the ability to utilize various digital broadcasting signal measuring devices in its curriculum. The department's curriculum includes theoretical classes on broadcasting communication devices, digital electronic circuits, and practical lectures on broadcasting studio operation and broadcasting information systems. In addition, the AI Image Security Department helps trainees cultivate their work performance capabilities in the HFC network specialized training center that operates a test bed equipped with an HFC simulation network and a head-end system.

The IT Convergence Department is cultivating 5G communication talents and provides education on the design, construction, and maintenance of mobile communication networks, and the basic principles of base station construction. To this end, the curriculum includes theories on 5G mobile communication systems, next-generation wireless communication networks, and 5G wireless communication network practice. For practice, ICT Polytechnic University has established a smart mobile mobile communication specialized practice center and is conducting practice on the LTE-A system that is actually being operated by telecommunications companies.

The Department of Information Security focuses on information security operation technologies such as construction, breach response, and control of network infrastructure, and teaches theories such as cloud computing and big data application security. In addition, the university offers practical training courses such as network construction training and cybersecurity control training.