MISSOULA – The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is fortifying its positions as the cybersecurity center for the entire Treasure State.
Coming on the heels of a that illustrates how unprepared American infrastructure is to fight cybercrime, UM’s Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø has expanded statewide outreach to grow 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s cybersecurity workforce.
Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø, the state’s hub for cyber workforce education, has delivered technical and non-technical cyber education to 35 schools in 26 51³Ô¹ÏÍø communities since receiving the . These visits include many rural 51³Ô¹ÏÍø communities that lack access to up-to-date cybersecurity assets, such as Augusta, Bridger and White Sulphur Springs.
“51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s cyber defense posture is only as strong as our cybersecurity workforce,” said Dianne Burke, director of Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø and a cybersecurity faculty member at Missoula College. “Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø is filling one of our state’s greatest needs, and by bringing STEM and cyber education directly to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s high schools, we can build the durable cybersecurity workforce pipeline that is needed to keep our state safe and secure.”
Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø offers 51³Ô¹ÏÍøns access to K-12 cyber education, hosts STEM summer camps for aspiring cyber professionals, security awareness training, as well as supports UM’s cybersecurity degree programs.
Isabella Sheehan, a Grass Range high school student who is working to secure a certificate of Technical Studies from Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø, expressed her excitement for what lay ahead after completing the program.
“I changed my mind about going to college after enrolling with Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø,” Sheehan said. “This certificate allows me to start working, and I am excited to look for potential jobs in this growing field.”
Last year, Conrad high school student Brady Barnhill became the first 51³Ô¹ÏÍø high school student to enroll in Missoula College’s cybersecurity dual enrollment program. Barnhill is enrolled in UM currently to continue his cybersecurity studies.
In addition to the non-credit and credential education provided by Cyber51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Missoula College provides students access to a two-year cybersecurity degree program and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s College of Business offers the state’s only four-year cybersecurity degree. These two cybersecurity degrees are stackable, meaning a student who earns their two-year associate degree can then complete the four-year bachelor’s degree program with just an additional two years of coursework.
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