Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Allegany College of Maryland, Garrett College, and Hagerstown Community College have received a grant to implement two cyber ranges through the Cyber Workforce Accelerator program.
- The program aims to provide advanced training and education technology to prepare cybersecurity students for careers in the industry.
Western Maryland community colleges have received a $617,400 grant from the Senator George C. Edwards Fund to implement two cyber ranges through the Cyber Workforce Accelerator program. The program, created by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) and BCR Cyber, is designed to expand workforce development efforts and provide community colleges with cutting-edge simulation technology to train and certify entry-level IT and cyber practitioners.
The grant will facilitate the procurement, configuration, and deployment of the cyber ranges, along with necessary infrastructure upgrades and staff training. The program is expected to commence by April 1, 2025, offering students the opportunity to showcase their skills and employability to potential employers.
BCR Cyber has created a public-private consortium of over 35 cybersecurity companies and government agencies to steer course content development and recruit entry-level employees trained at the community college cyber ranges. Each school will have a center with workstations for students to complete training and testing in simulated cyber threats.
The program, funded through various grants and partnerships, aims to address the talent gap in the cybersecurity industry by providing well-paid career opportunities and attracting more students to the field. For more information about the Cyber Workforce Accelerator program, visit www.bcrcyber.com.
