Cybersecurity Curriculum Grant to Reach Teachers Statewide

Gallatin College at Montana State University (MSU) has received a $50,000 grant to expand cybersecurity education opportunities for high school students across Montana. The funding will enable the college to share a cybersecurity curriculum developed by its Cybersecurity Director, Ronda Black, with teachers statewide, provide free industry-standard certifications for high schoolers, and supply classrooms with CyberKits.

The grant, awarded through Montana’s Future at Work program, addresses a growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the state. According to MSU, over 1,500 cybersecurity jobs were available in Montana in 2025, and that number is projected to continue increasing.

Abigail Hofer, a homeschooled senior in Bozeman, is already benefiting from the program. She is taking cybersecurity courses through Gallatin College and describes the learning experience as “hands on” and “practical.” It’s a lot of hands on, and it’s really practical,” Hofer said. For me, I’m a visual learner, so the hands on is just, like, it’s so much easier for it to stick.”

Bridging the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

Ronda Black emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and the unique opportunity the grant provides. This grant has given me the opportunity to get in those high schools and be able to offer educators across Montana a tool that does not exist at this point in time, Black explained. The curriculum aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the cybersecurity field.

Cybersecurity encompasses the practice of protecting systems and data from digital attacks, a field Black notes is broader than many people realize. The program isn’t limited to coding; it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles and applications.

CISA’s Commitment to Cybersecurity Education

The grant from Gallatin College aligns with broader national efforts to bolster cybersecurity education. The Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP), a grant program administered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), focuses on growing the cyber-literate workforce. CETAP partners with various educational institutions, including not-for-profits, elementary and secondary schools, universities, and state school boards, to integrate cybersecurity concepts into classrooms.

Currently, CYBER.ORG is a recipient of CETAP funding, receiving $6.8 million to support K-12 cyber education. CYBER.ORG provides K-12 students with cyber career awareness, curricular resources, and professional development for educators. They distribute cybersecurity content at no cost, aiming to increase cyber literacy among young learners.

A key component of CYBER.ORG’s offerings is the CYBER.ORG Range, a no-cost, safe, virtual environment where K-12 students can practice cybersecurity skills. Launched in 2022, the Range is now deployed in all states and used by thousands of teachers nationwide. It operates in a cloud-based environment, allowing students to access virtual machines without requiring additional hardware or software.

National Efforts and Funding

Beyond CETAP, the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, provides funding to local government entities, community colleges, and tribal governments in North Carolina for cybersecurity initiatives. This demonstrates a growing recognition of the need for cybersecurity investment at all levels of government.

The initiatives at both the state and national levels underscore the increasing importance of cybersecurity education in preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities in the digital landscape. The Gallatin College grant represents a significant step towards bridging the cybersecurity skills gap in Montana and providing students with the tools they need to succeed in this critical field.