Anne Arundel Community College held a ribbon cutting event today to mark the launch of its participation in Maryland’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program.
Established in 2024 by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and BCR Cyber, the CWA provides cyber ranges to all 16 Maryland community colleges for use in both the program training and community college training across the IT and cybersecurity spectrum. Key to the CWA program is the BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range, a training system that simulates cyberattacks and introduces students to cybersecurity concepts and operations.
AACC will have access to the cyber range using dedicated remote workstations for cybersecurity curriculum development and course inclusion. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge in a hyper-realistic, stimulating environment alongside both their peers and professors. Once studies are complete, program personnel assist in placing these students in industry jobs while also helping address the urgent needs of Maryland’s cyber workforce.
“AACC continues to lead in cybersecurity education and innovative workforce development,” said Dr. Dawn Lindsay, AACC president. “With the launch of the Cyber Workforce Accelerator program and access to the BCR Cyber Range, our students will gain hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world challenges and high-demand careers in Maryland’s growing tech sector.”
“The Cyber Workforce Accelerator program, with its cutting-edge cyber ranges, will be a game-changer for cybersecurity education in Maryland,” said Brad Phillips, executive director of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges. “We are proud to support this initiative at AACC and its positive impact on its students and the state's economy."
“There is a significant need here in Maryland for skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals. Community colleges play a vital role not only in helping meet this need, but also helping to facilitate meaningful employment for jobseekers,” said Michael Spector, president of BCR Cyber. “We are excited about the launch of the cyber range at AACC and the opportunities it presents.”
In addition to the academic component of the CWA, MACC and BCR Cyber offer a Workforce Development component which consists of BCR Cyber’s SOC Operations Analyst I training and certification. Upon completion of the Workforce Development program, students will receive a SOC Operations Analyst I Certification, an industry-recognized credential designed to prepare individuals for entry-level Security Operations Center (SOC) roles. The certification aligns with federal government standards, industry frameworks and employer requirements to ensure candidates are prepared for real-world cybersecurity challenges.
BCR Cyber training programs combine theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios, enabling participants to apply their learning to practical situations. To ensure training programs are aligned with today’s cybersecurity industry standards, BCR Cyber created a public-private consortium of more than 40 strategic industry partners. Together, this consortium provides BCR Cyber with valuable guidance on industry requirements and needs.
For information about BCR Cyber visit bcrcyber.com.