USCA to host no-cost cybersecurity training on Nov. 17-20

USCA in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) at the University of Arkansas System and the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC), will host a no-cost, instructor-led cybersecurity training course focused on Internet of Things (IoT) Security from Nov. 17–20, 2025.

This 32-hour, hands-on course is part of a larger initiative led by USCA to strengthen South Carolina’s cyber defense capabilities, particularly in support of critical infrastructure and national security. Participants will explore essential IoT technologies, including sensing and actuating devices, IoT protocol stacks (e.g., Zigbee, 5G, NFC, MQTT), and network security enforcement all framed by real-world lab exercises.

The training aligns with USCA’s expanding role as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and is a key milestone in the USCA-SRNS Cyber Workforce Pipeline, which aims to prepare students and professionals for roles with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), and industry partners such as Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).

"This training is part of our mission to serve as a regional hub for cybersecurity workforce development," said Tom Scott, USCA cyber workforce development specialist and associate coordinator of USCA's Center for Cybersecurity Initiatives and Awareness and Artificial Intelligence. “We’re building not just courses, but pathways—from high school camps to graduate programs and federal internships—that connect learners directly to cybersecurity careers.”

The target audience includes technical personnel and managers in both public and private sectors involved in protecting the nation's critical infrastructure. Participants are expected to have at least two years of IT experience and a working knowledge of network and security concepts.

This offering is certified and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through FEMA, further supporting USCA’s momentum in developing a multi-layered cyber talent pipeline that includes new faculty hires, cyber scholarships, research partnerships, and a student-run Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC).
To register or learn more, visit: NationalCPC.org.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.