University of Arizona gets $1M for cybersecurity program

The cybersecurity clinic is an initiative established by the UA’s College of Applied Science and Technology, according to a news release. The college, located at the university’s Sierra Vista campus, was awarded $1 million from Google’s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to create the clinic, which starting in January will provide free digital security services such as vulnerability assessments, security audits and compliance checks.

“This clinic will be instrumental in advancing our community’s understanding of cyber threats and help develop innovative solutions,” said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins in the release. “This program reaffirms our commitment to producing highly skilled graduates who will be defenders in the digital age.”

The UA clinic will also receive “mentorship from Google employees, scholarships for the Google Career Certificate in Cybersecurity, and Google Titan Security Keys — USB devices that help prevent phishing attempts and improve overall cybersafety,” the release said.

Paul Wagner, associate professor of practice and clinic director, will lead the clinic, however, UA students will take the reins in educating and improving clients’ cyber safety.

“Our model is initially going to start off as a semester based model,” Wagner said. “There’s three different classes (students) could take: an internship, an independent study or a capstone project.”

Over the course of the six-year grant, the program plans to reach 900 students. Students both in state and out of state will be given the opportunity to enroll. Wagner says he looks forward to giving students the opportunity to work with clients and get real-world experience.

“The work we provide in the classroom is amazing, but there is always a lack of realism,” he said in a release. “With this clinic, we are not only helping our students become better future employees — we’re securing our communities.”

The clinic anticipates serving 30 businesses during its first two semesters, and hopes to serve 150 by the end of the six years. Small businesses in Southern Arizona will be the main market for the first few years that the clinic is open, however, it will be serving businesses statewide by its third year.

Those who would like to learn more can contact the College of Applied Science and Technology in Sierra Vista at 520-458-8278. UA students can get more information from their advisors and look out for a newsletter and information session towards the beginning of the fall semester.