Priya PatelRichmond Community College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security. This recognition highlights the college’s commitment to providing high-quality cybersecurity education and training to its students and the community. RichmondCC offers a variety of programs and courses that prepare students for careers in cybersecurity, including a 14-week bootcamp-style networking/security course funded by an NSA subgrant. The college also hosts an annual Cyber Security Summit that educates the community about protecting their devices and data from cyber attacks.
RichmondCC has incorporated cybersecurity training into its Electric Utilities and Substation Relay Technology (EUSRT) program, which prepares students for careers in the electric power industry. A new course on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and their security implications has been added to the program. The college engages with the community and local industry to raise awareness and foster collaboration on cybersecurity issues. RichmondCC takes the lead role in the CCN Utilities Sector Group, which aims to develop best practices and resources for cybersecurity education and workforce development in the utilities sector.
The college also hosts an annual Cyber Security Summit, featuring guest speakers, workshops, and demonstrations on various topics related to cybersecurity. The event concludes with a free laptop security check for participants. RichmondCC’s dedication to cybersecurity education and community engagement has earned them the CAE-CD designation. The college is confident that their programs and courses prepare students for the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity field, and that their community engagement contributes to national and global cybersecurity efforts.
