Bossier City’s Cyber Innovation Center Gets HUGE Grant

I think we can all agree that having the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City is a huge boon for our community. It raises our profile in so many ways; technology, research, leadership and commitment to education to name a few!

The program is instrumental in making sure our local workforce is prepared for the growing need to fill cyber focused positions and it also helps to foster collaboration between private industry, government and academia.

With that being said, the $4 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security is huge for our area! Pat Culverhouse explains:

A $4 million grant to support the continued nation-wide expansion of cyber security education and training has been awarded by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to Bossier City’s Cyber Innovation Center.

CIC officials said the grant is designed to better prepare K-12 educators across the country through a library of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), cyber, computer science curricula, classroom resources and professional development.

Teachers from all 50 states and two U.S. territories are currently accessing the CIC curricula.

“We are thrilled with the national interest educators and communities are showing in our cyber security education and training model,” said G.B. Cazes, vice president of the Cyber Innovation Center.

“Over the next two years alone, we expect to reach another 450,000 students and provide the academic fundamentals and cyber career awareness needed to significantly expand the number of cyber security professionals entering the U.S. workforce,” Cazes said.

In addition to engaging educators and communities at the grass roots level, the CIC has expanded its efforts by working directly with state departments of education. Relationships have been solidified with many states around the country, including Arkansas, California, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Louisiana’s congressional delegation’s strong support of cyber security has also contributed to the continued success of these efforts. Senator Bill Cassidy was directly involved in securing legislation that highlighted the national need for cyber security education and provided related funding.

"The importance of cyber security increases every year. It is crucial that the next generation of workers understands the cyber security threats we face and is motivated to find solutions,” said Cassidy.

“As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I have seen the success of the partnership between the DHS and Cyber Innovation Center in accomplishing this, and I am proud that this partnership continues to grow and flourish.”

“The workforce is constantly evolving thus placing a high demand for classroom curricula and resources that empowers educators to prepare students with 21st century skills. The CIC’s library of curricula creates a hands-on, engaging learning environment for all students that connects them to real-world cyber applications,” added Kevin Nolten, CIC Director of Academic Outreach.