West Virginia Executive Summer 2024 | Page 139

WVSU Receives $ 1 Million to Launch Cybersecurity Clinic
West Virginia State University ( WVSU ) has been selected to receive $ 1 million in grant funding and wraparound support from Google ’ s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to establish the WVSU Cybersecurity Clinic . The funding from Google . org , the company ’ s philanthropic arm , is part of a $ 25 million collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics .
The clinic will give WVSU students the opportunity to learn cybersecurity and artificial intelligence ( AI ) skills in an effective , hands-on manner while simultaneously helping to protect vulnerable organizations and critical infrastructure like local small businesses , hospitals , schools and energy grids from cyberattacks .
“ We are extremely thankful to Google for this investment in West Virginia State University that will allow us to continue to grow our cutting-edge cybersecurity program ,” says WVSU President Ericke Cage .
The WVSU Cybersecurity Clinic , together with the WVSU Cybersecurity Innovation Center ( CIC ), are dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity across critical infrastructure sectors . The cybersecurity clinic ’ s mission revolves around innovation , education and collaboration , ensuring a resilient and secure cyber environment . The clinic will prioritize hands-on training utilizing WVSU ’ s cutting-edge CyberHive , a physical critical infrastructure industrial control system . This state-of-the-art lab offers
immersive experiences for operators , high school students and undergraduate computer science students .
Community outreach is integral to the WVSU Cybersecurity Clinic ’ s mission , providing cybersecurity services and awareness programs to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge to defend against cyber threats effectively .
“ The world is in a moment where emerging technologies like AI are creating both new opportunities and threats in the world of cybersecurity ,” says Heather Adkins , vice president of security engineering at Google .
It ’ s essential to invest in growing a strong , diverse and widespread cybersecurity workforce to help protect everyone — from critical infrastructure to small businesses and schools . The 15 clinics that Google is helping to establish serve a wide variety of students across all corners of the U . S .
Mountain Mindful Increases Paid Training Opportunities
Mountain Mindful is a nonprofit , lifestyle brand initiative of Coalfield Development that makes apparel , furnishings and self-care products from organic , reclaimed and recycled materials . As a social enterprise , recent increased production not only equates to additional jobs in the community but also results in increased training opportunities because every $ 100 spent with Mountain Mindful creates four hours of paid training for individuals facing barriers to employment .

Congratulations

David Hendrickson

Hendrickson & Long is thrilled to congratulate David Hendrickson , founding partner , on being inducted into West Virginia Executive ’ s Lawyers & Leaders Class of 2024 .
handl . com | ( 304 ) 346-5500
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SUMMER 2024 81