LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech University received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology and was among 18 recipients from 15 states. The funding is aimed at strengthening and strengthening the country's cybersecurity workforce, according to a press release.
Texas Tech University said the project involves a public-private partnership and focuses on several goals that will be built over the next two years as a result of the $199,349 grant.
“This program trains K-12 students, undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in the West Texas region in real-world cyber-physical security applications for critical infrastructure facilities.” said Manohar Chamana, assistant professor and graduate advisor for the Renewable Energy Program. from the National Wind Laboratory at Texas Tech University.
Texas Tech University's program is expected to address several goals, including validation of personal cybersecurity standards, research and development, and more.
“Many critical infrastructure industries need to ensure cyber-physical security, including information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) security,” Chamana said. “We seek to establish partnerships with academia, utilities, national laboratories, and private companies involved in critical infrastructure cybersecurity.”
Chamana said Teck has already trained more than 200 people from local industry and educational institutions since 2020 as part of a program overseen by the Texas Workforce Commission.
“We have established relationships with several local rural cooperatives, wind energy operators and educational institutions,” he said. “These relationships will be leveraged to host workforce development workshops and address current cybersecurity skills gaps needed in local industry.”