Implementing a simulated cyber range training environment to prepare cyber technicians

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Johnston Community College a $645,836 Project Grant under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to implement a simulated cyber range training environment. The project aims to provide students with hands-on experiences of live-fire cyberattacks, enable them to earn cybersecurity credentials, and increase female enrollment and inclusivity for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Key project goals include creating a cybersecurity training range, increasing female participation, and improving faculty and administrator knowledge on supporting students with hearing loss. The project will leverage the North Carolina Research Triangle Park to expose students to regional career opportunities. No sub-awards are planned under this 3-year grant, which commenced on July 1, 2024.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by integrating a state-of-the-art cyber range into a cybersecurity program at johnston community college (JCC). This project intends to provide students with hands-on experiences of live-fire cyberattacks. The students at JCC will validate and showcase their acquired skill through the proposed badging system while earning credentials alongside their degree program. This project intends to provide a safe and real-world training environment. The project team plans to share their cybersecurity curriculum with other community colleges and foster potential collaborations with others. In addition, the project team plans to hire skilled female candidates and offer opportunities to individuals with backgrounds in IT/cybersecurity, such as veterans with security clearances and people with hearing loss due to their military services. This project has three goals: 1) creating a hands-on cybersecurity training range to prepare technicians for industry, 2) increasing female enrollment in cybersecurity, and 3) improving the knowledge and inclusiveness of cybersecurity faculty and administrators for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Students will have chances to access and utilize the technology hub at the north carolina research triangle park to explore regional career opportunities. The project has the potential to address talent pipeline and diversity issues, and to increase the number of skilled women, veterans and people with disabilities in this field. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program, focusing on educating technicians for advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.