Surveys indicate a vast majority of employers require prior experience in their cybersecurity hiring efforts. This presents a majority of our current learner community with a quandary as they attempt to enter the workforce. Solid knowledge development (via degrees and certifications) is not enough. Simulation-based skill development (via ranges and CTF events) is not a replacement for the real-world experience needed by our employer partners.

The NSF-ATE funded Cyberpreneurship project at Riverside City College is a cross-discipline effort to train cybersecurity entrepreneurs. The goal is to address the small to mid-sized businesses that make up over 40% of the breaches that occur but have no IT/Cybersecurity team or professional support. Students will gain knowledge, skills and abilities in cybersecurity and entrepreneurship. This will equip them to provide managed services, audits and other cyber/IT and automation services to those organizations.