The cyberready 2.0 ramps supply chain: building cyber resilient suppliers for the nation's most vital industries project aims to enable cyber-ready businesses, focusing on infrastructure-linked…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $300,000 Cooperative Agreement to Industry Workforce Solutions, Inc., effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620). The CyberReady 2.0 RAMPS (Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate) Supply Chain initiative will deliver a structured cybersecurity workforce and supplier readiness program targeting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and critical infrastructure sectors in northwest Indiana. The program employs the CyberReady RAMP Framework—encompassing awareness, training, assessment, remediation, and compliance—through regional cohorts, employer-led sessions, risk assessments, mentorship, and certification pathways aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) work roles.

Over the 24-month performance period, the initiative will engage up to 320 businesses and employees, with at least 30% advancing into customized workforce pathway sessions and 10% introduced to apprenticeships or internships. Key deliverables include measurable improvements in cybersecurity readiness, increased workforce participation from underserved populations including veterans and women, alignment with compliance standards such as NIST 800-171, and the development of scalable best practices for national dissemination. The program prioritizes support for underrepresented groups and addresses critical gaps in cybersecurity talent within infrastructure-dependent industries.

Activities

Cyberready 2.0 will deploy a structured, sector-informed cybersecurity workforce and supplier readiness initiative grounded in the cyberready ramp framework (awareness, training, assessment, remediation, compliance). Through regional cohorts, employer-led sessions, risk assessments, mentorship, and certification pathways, the program will engage smbs and anchor employers in northwest indiana to strengthen cybersecurity posture and workforce alignment with nice framework work roles.

Expected outcomes

Over 24 months, the initiative will support up to 320 businesses and employees, with at least 30% advancing into customized workforce pathway sessions and 10% introduced to apprenticeships or internships. Outcomes include measurable improvements in cybersecurity readiness, increased participation from underserved populations, greater alignment with compliance standards like NIST 800-171, and scalable best practices disseminated nationally.

Intended beneficiaries

The project targets small and mid-sized businesses in critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing along with their current and future employees. Underserved groups, including veterans and women will receive prioritized support to access cybersecurity careers and strengthen regional and national supply chain resilience.

Subrecipient activities

There are no planned subawards.