CCC Joins Carolina Cyber Network
Cleveland Community College is excited to announce that it has joined the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN). This fast-growing organization works to close the critical gap in cybersecurity workforce needs and available workers.
“Cleveland Community College is pleased to join the Carolina Cyber Network,” said Dr. Jason Hurst, president. “We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues across the state to address the pressing issue of the cybersecurity talent gap. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive training program that produces highly skilled cybersecurity professionals for years to come.”
In addition to joining the Carolina Cyber Network, CCC is seeking the Center of Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense designation for its IT Network Technician degree program. The designation is awarded by the joint sponsors of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
To receive this designation organizations must be regionally accredited U.S. higher education institutions and meet rigorous requirements for producing cybersecurity professionals. It can take a year or more to complete the application process.
CCC is in good company
Joining the Carolina Cyber Network with CCC are the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Isothermal Community College and Johnston Community College. CCN now has 18 four-year and two-year member schools, all in North Carolina.
“We are excited to partner with these schools to further grow and strengthen the cybersecurity talent pool available in North Carolina,” said Dr. Mark Sorrells, president of Fayetteville Technical Community College, which is a co-founder and leader of the three-year-old CCN organization.
Sorrells said the four new CCN members exhibit the core values of the Carolina Cyber Network: equipping students with “hands-on” technical skills, essential life skills and work-based learning experiences that prepare the students to be “job-ready” to serve the state’s communities through employment in public and private agencies.
In addition to Fayetteville Tech and the four new members, CCN members are Blue Ridge Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Catawba Valley Community College, Elizabeth City State University, Forsyth Technical Community College, Gaston College, Montreat College, North Carolina A&T State University, Piedmont Community College, Richmond Community College, Stanly Community College, Wake Technical Community College and Wayne Community College.
Learn more about the Carolina Cyber Network at carolinacybernetwork.net. Learn more about the CAE-CD designation at https://www.ncyte.net/institutions/centers-of-academic-excellence.