The Carolina Cyber Network has awarded Wayne Community College a grant for $146,875 to be used for its Cybersecurity program.
The grant will go toward resources for a new Cybersecurity lab at the College, providing more opportunities for students to gain practice with simulated real-world scenarios.
WCC’s Cybersecurity program gives students hands-on experience with technologies that require them to plan and carry out security measures to protect organizations’ information technology (IT) networks.
The Carolina Cyber Network works with students and teachers in North Carolina to share resources and best practices in the cybersecurity field.
The initiative started as a partnership between Fayetteville Technical Community College and Montreat College and expanded to include 11 colleges and universities across the state, including WCC.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Carolina Cyber Network,” said WCC Information Systems Technology Department Chair Jennifer Tyndall. “The grant will transform our Cybersecurity program by giving students access to a state-of-the-art lab and hands-on experiences that are essential for developing their skills.”
The College’s updated lab will house new networking equipment, computers, monitors, smart boards, a mobile instructor workstation, tablets, video conference cameras, and ergonomic chairs, all of which will be installed in the spring to be ready for use in the fall of 2025.
The equipment will be spread across two rooms—one dedicated to lectures and the other for hands-on lab activities. With the added resources, Cybersecurity students will also be able to engage in red team / blue team practical exercises, where students take on the role of either an attacker or defender of an organization’s cybersecurity.
Last fall, WCC was designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through the 2028 academic year. Enrollment in WCC’s Cybersecurity program has increased by over 50% in the past two years, increasing the demand for the proper equipment to support the program’s growth.
“The new lab space will not only enhance students’ learning but also better prepare them for the rapidly evolving challenges in the cybersecurity field,” Tyndall said. “We are excited about the future and the impact this will have on both our students and the community.”
About the Carolina Cyber Network
The Carolina Cyber Network educates teachers through professional development and students through hands-on training as they explore cyber career options.
They collaborate among colleges and universities to share resources and best practices and to support one another. They engage corporations, economic sectors, and government as they appeal to their employment and cybersecurity needs.
