Cybersecurity

Technology Capacity Building for HBCUs

Technology as a Strategic Enabler

A remarkably generous donation from Cisco Systems (Cisco) has empowered the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) to launch a philanthropic IT Modernization program committed to the strategic recovery, sustainability, and legacy of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs. This initiative is dedicated to bolstering the resilience and compliance of our partnered universities and colleges, significantly enhancing their technological capabilities and security infrastructure. Adherence to cybersecurity standards is a prerequisite for receiving federal student aid. By complying, colleges and universities ensure their continued eligibility for these funds, which are vital for both the institution’s operations and the financial support of their students.

The collaboration between SFI and Cisco represents a significant stride in enhancing cybersecurity resilience among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Through this multi-year program, SFI and Cisco are addressing areas for enhancement in IT operations at over 60 HBCUs.

The Cisco Networking Academy is offered in any participating institution. Instructors or staff are trained to be members in CCNA or CCNA Cyber Ops. This IT platform helps students and staff with certification and will help augment staff training and upskilling. Instructors return and integrate these classes into the curriculum, enabling students to graduate with a degree and an industry recognized certification. There is also a Data Analytics tract along with several other career-ready courses. Network Academy has been around for over 25 years and has trained over 13M students.

Cybersecurity Workshop will bring you into an immersive experience that will help you prepare for real-world attacks intense and gamified workshops/labs. These unique experiences will prepare you for your current or future role in cybersecurity. The platform is designed to teach you both the fundamentals of defense/offense and security operations through various levels to ensure your skills are sharpened each time you go through our cyber range.

Resilience

Having the right technology, planning, training, response readiness, and a culture of continuous improvement and awareness to manage cyberthreats.

Protecting Sensitive Data

Compliance ensures that institutions have robust measures in place to protect sensitive student data, such as personal identification information and financial records. This protection is critical in preventing data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud.

Maintaining Federal Funding

Adherence to cybersecurity requirements is often a prerequisite for receiving federal student aid. By complying, colleges ensure their continued eligibility for these funds, which are vital for both the institution’s operations and the financial support of their students.

Innovation and Competitive Advantage

Secure environments foster innovation, as institutions can confidently invest in new technologies and initiatives without excessive fear of cyber threats. This can provide a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.

Enabling Digital Transformation

Good cybersecurity is a foundational element of digital transformation. It allows organizations to safely implement cloud services, big data, AI, and other emerging technologies that drive growth and efficiency.

This initiative aligns with SFI’s broader mission to support underrepresented and underserved communities, particularly in the realm of technology. SFI’s approach is comprehensive, focusing on equipping partnered institutions not only with enhanced cybersecurity measures but also with the tools and knowledge necessary for strategic technology enablement. The program’s impact extends beyond immediate cybersecurity concerns, contributing to the realization of broader strategic goals reliant on robust technological infrastructure.