EvCC is first in nation to train with new industrial cybersecurity technology
Press Release
Release Date: May 3, 2021
Contact: Jenny Marin, Marketing Specialist, 425-388-9203, jmarin@everettcc.edu; Dennis Skarr, Information Technology Instructor, 425-388-9127, dskarr@everettcc.edu
Photo: Information Technology Instructor Dennis Skarr works with new technology that Everett Community College students will use to learn to protect physical infrastructure from cyber attacks.
EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College is now the first community college in the nation to provide training for students who are learning how to protect physical infrastructure from cyber attacks using real industrial components and networks.
EvCC Information Technology students will begin using the college’s new industrial cybersecurity training system in Fall quarter. The heart of this system is a 15-foot interactive wall that replicates a small manufacturing company’s industrial components, hardware, software and networks.
“Our students will learn how to control the system, defend it from attack, and even find vulnerabilities and hack it themselves,” said Dennis Skarr, EvCC information technology instructor. “Traditionally, this kind of interactive learning experience has only been available at national security conferences.”
The training will prepare students to protect the information technology that runs crucial public and private systems like the electrical grid, water treatment systems, manufacturing and more.
To learn more, prospective students can join a free, virtual information session at 5 p.m. May 6. Visit EverettCC.edu/WhyIT to sign up.
In spring 2022, EvCC plans to launch cyber challenges for high school and college students to compete in a series of technical challenges using this technology. To learn more, visit EverettCC.edu/WhyIT.
The new technology, classes, and cyber challenges are funded by three grants through the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges: a $78,000 Workforce Development Technology Enhancement grant and two Career Launch grants totaling $1.3 million.
The Career Launch grants are competitively awarded to endorsed training programs as part of Career Connect Washington. Launched by Gov. Jay Inslee, this program brings together K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and business and labor partners to provide high school and college students real-life professional experience through internships, apprenticeships and job-shadowing opportunities.
GRIMM, a national leader in cyber-to-physical security research, is developing EvCC’s industrial network security training wall, trainers and cyber security competitions. The wall was designed by Tom VanNorman of ICS Village.
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