Increase in cyber-attacks results in collaboration between Pinckney Schools and Novacoast, offering one solution to public and private sector employers
SOUTHEAST, MI – With an alarming increasing rate on cyber-attacks against public entities including court systems, public school systems and municipalities, Novcoast, Inc. and the Pinckney Cyber Training Institute have partnered to create one solution. To better provide cyber security to public and private sector employers in Michigan, The Pinckney Cyber Training Institute, (PCTI) is adding a Security Operations Center (SOC) to the current Michigan Cyber Range Hub.
“We are incredibly thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind opportunity offered in our region,” said Bill Sleight, Director, Michigan Works! Southeast. “Cyber security will impact every industry and it is time we start including this in our conversations with area youth, employers and job seekers. Our young adults and job seekers are fortunate to have access to this state of the art facility and unique training programs in their back yard, and our employers are able to pull from a qualified talent pool,” said Sleight.
According to a press release issued last month, the SOC will promote cybersecurity education within any public institution while building a technical workforce talent pipeline, and at the same time serve to strengthen our public and private sector’s security posture. This initiative is all inclusive, offering network monitoring for hospitals, schools, municipalities, townships and even small businesses.
Sarah Tennat, Sector Development Director & Cyber Initiatives with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has played a vital role in this partnership. “In Michigan, cybersecurity is a team sport. Cybersecurity talent needs are at an all-time high, and therefore more important than ever for academia, industry and the state to work together to grow new talent and upskill existing workforce to meet that demand,” said Sarah.
For more information about this innovative project, see notes and their press release, following.
Michigan Works! Southeast is part of a statewide network of organizations that contributes to the economic prosperity of our communities by developing a strong, talented workforce. The agency serves businesses and jobseekers in the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Washtenaw. The Michigan Works! Southeast Workforce Development.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pinckney Cyber Range Hub Transforms Into New Security Operations Center
With support from Novacoast Inc.
Pinckney, Mich. July 13, 2020 – The Pinckney Cyber Training Institute (PCTI) is adding to the current Michigan Cyber Range Hub with a Security Operations Center (SOC) to provide better public entity cybersecurity defense.
Cybersecurity attacks against public entities including municipalities, court systems and public school systems are increasing at an alarming rate across Michigan and the nation as a whole. Oftentimes, these entities do not have the technical infrastructure, human resources or available capital to mitigate cybersecurity risks and build a robust defensive strategy.
This SOC will promote cybersecurity education within any public institution while building a technical workforce talent pipeline, and at the same time serve to strengthen our public and private sector’s security posture. This initiative is all inclusive, offering network monitoring for hospitals, schools, municipalities, townships and even small businesses.
Pinckney students enrolled in the Middle College and Career Inclusion Programs for Cybersecurity, as well as Novacoast, Inc. play active roles in round-the-clock monitoring and management of the SOC. Unique to this program, this will be the first time any institution has provided live SIEM monitoring in a public school setting.
“We here in Pinckney Community Schools are extremely excited to have this opportunity to partner with NovaCoast in creating such a valuable learning experience and service for our students and community. This initiative is just another example of our willingness to be innovative and adaptive as we continue to reshape the educational landscape that not only provides relevant training, but more importantly, addresses a serious need for our business partners and municipalities as protecting essential data is paramount in establishing trust and security amongst all stakeholders,” said Rick Todd, superintendent of Pinckney Community Schools.
Novacoast Inc. will provide the critical technology necessary for the program, as well as initial training efforts.
“I am very excited to be partnering with Pinckney Community Schools on this project. This is an opportunity to create the first fully functioning Security Operation Center (SOC) inside a public school and will enable a unique learning opportunity to train young students, adult learners and possibly veterans as well. The services that the SOC will provide will help municipalities throughout the state of Michigan to improve their security posture while at the same time train security analysts that will fill critical jobs in a field with a severe shortage of qualified people. These students will learn best practices in cyber security and
build the foundation for cybersecurity teams of the future. It truly is a win/win for everyone who is involved,” said Paul Anderson, CEO of Novacoast, Inc.
It is PCTI’s hope that SOC enhances their cybersecurity training programs by including job-ready skills, while at the same time assisting public entities with the improvement of their security position. To learn more about the program, or how your organization might benefit from the SOC, contact David Mayne at dmayne@novacoast.com or 805-284-2303.
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About Pinckney Cyber Training Institute
Opened on December 7, 2016, The Pinckney Cyber Training Institute is a current hub on the Michigan Cyber Range. Powered by Merit Network, the nation’s longest-running research and education network, the Michigan Cyber Range is the nation’s largest unclassified, network accessible cybersecurity training platform. The PCTI is designed to provide high school and college students, as well as novice and experienced I.T. professionals, a site to take cyber security courses, earn government recognized certifications, and engage in cyber security training exercises. Learn more about PCTI at pinckneycti.org/
About Novacoast Inc.
Since 1996, Novacoast provides implementation services, license fulfillment and technical training to software development, staffing services and custom or emerging solutions, Novacoast is an experienced and comprehensive IT business resource empowered on every level by our flexible and fearless perspective. Learn more about Novacoast Inc. at novacoast.com/
About Michigan Cyber Range
The Michigan Cyber Range aims to strengthen Michigan’s cyber defenses by mitigating the growing number of cyber threats and providing a more secure environment that promotes economic development. Powered by Merit Network, the nation’s longest-running research and education network, the Michigan Cyber Range is the nation’s largest unclassified, network accessible cybersecurity training platform.
MEDIA CONTACT
Rich Lamb
Coordinator of Cyber Operations Pinckney Cyber Training Institute rlamb@pinckneycti.org 810-225-5540
David Mayne Managed Security Business Specialist Novacoast, Inc. dmayne@novacoast.com 805-284-2303
For more information: