UM Leads Initiative to Strengthen Cybersecurity Education with $600,000 Grant

UM Awarded $600K to Strengthen Cybersecurity Training Across Five States

The University of Montana recently announced its acquisition of a National Science Foundation grant aimed at leading a coalition of five western states in delivering cybersecurity education to students and teachers. Dianne Burke, director of CyberMontana and associate professor at Missoula College, explained that the nearly $600,000 grant would enable UM to collaborate with other colleges to create a regional program that enhances cybersecurity education.

The program aims to develop a talent pipeline by enhancing the knowledge and skills of both teachers and students. The University plays a crucial role as the hub for cybersecurity education in the state, providing teachers training to increase the number of qualified cybersecurity educators in middle and high schools in the region. Missoula College is set to host a middle school GenCyber camp and a GenCyber teacher’s camp in 2025 and the initiative will enable teachers to cultivate cybersecurity skills that they can impart to their students in the classroom. The GenCyber program was established to address the nation's need for greater cybersecurity awareness, to teach fundamental cybersecurity principles, along with fostering students’ interest in the cybersecurity field. Ultimately, the program seeks to reduce the skills gap for cybersecurity professionals.

Missoula College will lead a partnership that includes five other universities across the U.S.: City University of Seattle, Eastern New Mexico University, Houston Community College, National University of San Diego, and North Dakota State University. The coalition will collaborate to share resources and knowledge for hosting various GenCyber camps. In addition to training teachers, the coalition plans to develop student camps aimed at preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. There is an urgent need for a strengthened cybersecurity workforce, particularly in large rural states like Montana, where over 1,300 cybersecurity positions are currently open. 

This year will mark the college’s third year hosting a student camp and its inaugural year hosting a teacher’s camp. The University has established itself as the state's hub for cybersecurity education, offering a comprehensive range of educational resources, noncredit training, and academic certificates, in addition to associate and bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity.

Editor’s Note:

In a significant boost to cybersecurity education, the University of Montana has secured a nearly $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant will enable UM to lead a coalition of five western states, delivering comprehensive cybersecurity education to students and teachers.  The objective of this initiative is to enhance regional cybersecurity efforts, develop a skilled workforce, and address the critical demand for cybersecurity professionals. 

Skoobuzz congratulates the University for securing this grant, which underscores the vital role of education in safeguarding our digital future amid continuously evolving digital threats.