Cyber Workforce Accelerator™

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What is the Cyber Workforce Accelerator™?

Established in 2024, the Cyber Workforce Accelerator™ (CWA) program provides Cyber Ranges to all 16 Maryland community colleges for use in both workforce development programs and community college curricula across the IT and cybersecurity spectrum.

Developed by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) and BCR Cyber, the CWA builds upon the resounding success of BCR Cyber’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) ACT Training Program. Since its inception, the EARN ACT Training Program has trained more than 1,000 unemployed or underemployed students and transitioned them into family-sustaining wage IT and cyber careers.

Why is the CWA important?

Maryland stands out as a demand hub during a nationwide shortage of qualified IT and cybersecurity workers. This documented shortage has both economic and national implications. Studies indicate that there are over 30,000 cybersecurity job vacancies in Maryland alone, and the CWA helps address this need by creating employment opportunities for Marylanders. 

What is a BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range?

The BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range simulates cyber attacks and introduces students to cybersecurity concepts and operations. This cyber range is the fourth iteration designed specifically for workforce development. BCR Cyber has used this device to train and place over 2,500 participants with the most advanced cybersecurity strategies and techniques in an environment that simulates real threats in real-time. The range includes hands-on training, which encompasses cyber threat detection, compromise mitigation, system remediation, and placement services complementation.

What Will CWA Provide?

CWA will consist of a workforce development program utilizing BCR Cyber’s SOC Operations Analyst I training and certification. This certification has recently been conditionally approved by the State of Maryland as an industry-recognized credential (IRC) through its Blueprint initiative. The SOC Operations Analyst I certification is an industry-recognized credential designed to prepare individuals for entry-level Security Operations Center (SOC) roles. This training provides technical cybersecurity knowledge, including threat analysis, security operations, enterprise security, and hands-on incident response. The certification aligns with federal government standards, industry frameworks, and employer requirements to ensure candidates are prepared for real-world cybersecurity challenges. BCR Cyber will then lead efforts to place participants who complete this program into meaningful employment opportunities.

In addition, all of Maryland’s 16 community colleges will now have access to the cyber ranges for use in curriculum development and course inclusion at their own physical locations. BCR Cyber will provide training to faculty at all 16 community colleges on how to operate the BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range.

MACC and BCR Cyber will form an academic committee consisting of faculty members from each of the 16 community colleges, representatives from MACC, and representatives from BCR Cyber. This committee will meet regularly to discuss best practices for incorporating the range into academic curricula. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge in a hyper-realistic and stimulating environment alongside both their peers and professors.

What is the overall goal of CWA's Workforce Development efforts?

The program's workforce development goal is to close the cybersecurity workforce gap in the state of Maryland. The state has funded 1,100 participants for training through this effort in its first year.

What do students receive after completing training with the range?

For academic purposes, each community college will determine how the students utilize the cyber range and what they receive because of that utilization.

How is the CWA's Workforce Development training developed?

BCR Cyber created a public-private consortium consisting of more than 40 strategic industry partners to ensure its training programs are aligned with today's cybersecurity industry standards. This consortium provides BCR Cyber with valuable guidance on industry requirements and needs.

Additionally, BCR Cyber has established valuable strategic relationships with state and federal government IT departments, enabling them to deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity training to their employees. By collaborating closely with these government entities, BCR Cyber helps strengthen their cybersecurity posture and fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement.