Metro State University, situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has secured a prestigious $1.45 million grant from the National Security Agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Among only three institutions nationwide to receive this grant, Metro State plans to utilize the funding to establish the Metro State University Cybersecurity Clinic. This innovative program aims to assist small businesses, nonprofits, K–12 schools, and local government bodies in Minnesota in their defense against cyberattacks.
The grant enables Metro State to offer cost-effective or free cybersecurity services to these organizations, catering to their specific cybersecurity needs. Services will include vulnerability assessments, strategic defense development, and guidance on mitigating potential threats. The clinic will operate through students enrolled in Metro State’s cybersecurity degree programs, providing them hands-on, client-focused experience to enhance their expertise and employability in the field.
Dean Kyle Swanson of Metro State’s College of Sciences highlighted that this funding will serve dual societal needs—protecting Minnesota’s small business sector and fostering a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce. Swanson emphasized the vulnerability of small businesses to cyber threats, citing statistics that suggest 60% of small businesses hit by cyberattacks may shut down within six months. Protecting these businesses is crucial for stabilizing Minnesota’s economy.
Bridging the gap with advanced cyber education
Additionally, with an anticipated 30% growth in cybersecurity job openings in Minnesota over the next decade, Metro State aims to bridge this gap by preparing students with advanced cybersecurity education and practical experience. Metro State stands as the sole Twin Cities university offering comprehensive cybersecurity programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity, receiving recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense multiple times.
Swanson expressed Metro State’s commitment to engaging and supporting underserved communities in the Twin Cities through this initiative. The establishment of the Cybersecurity Clinic, slated to open in mid-2024 at 809 East Seventh Street in Saint Paul, will bolster the university’s reputation as a leading authority in Minnesota’s cybersecurity landscape and elevate its national standing for delivering an interdisciplinary cybersecurity curriculum.
The university plans to announce specific eligibility criteria for organizations seeking to engage with the clinic upon its launch. Founded in 1971, Metro State University is a public urban institution offering a broad range of academic programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, catering to lifelong learning and professional degree programs. Their commitment to social mobility is evident, ranking 22nd nationally and first in Minnesota on CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index.