Chippewa Valley Times

In the United States, half of small- and medium-sized manufacturers are reported to lack basic cybersecurity controls, posing a significant national concern for those working with the Department of Defense. To address this issue, UW-Stout has received a federal grant of $124,555 from the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy. This funding will support the creation of ACCESS, an AI-powered cloud system aimed at enhancing cybersecurity education and compliance.

The initiative is part of the Department of Defense's CMMC program set to begin in 2025, which requires defense supply chain partners handling sensitive information to adhere to strict cybersecurity standards. Professor Holly Yuan, principal investigator and project lead, highlighted the importance of this project in meeting the growing demand for cybersecurity workforce development within the supply chain. "This is a timely and critical project," Yuan stated.

ACCESS aims to simplify compliance with CMMC standards by offering training and support through workshops and AI tools. These resources will assist manufacturers in navigating complex cybersecurity challenges. Yuan explained that this effort would also improve cybersecurity training by partnering with community colleges and industry leaders.

A network prototype simulating a manufacturing system will be developed under Yuan's leadership. It will incorporate elements like cloud service providers and teleworkers to provide practical scenarios for different CMMC levels. Participants will gain insights into how AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies can enhance compliance.

The certificate training program will be integrated into UW-Stout's Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity curriculum, which has grown significantly since its inception in 2022. The program focuses on equipping students with hands-on skills in AI and cybersecurity compliance.

Yuan emphasized that through ACCESS, manufacturers would receive tools necessary for understanding CMMC compliance while preparing future cybersecurity professionals. Students from related programs will engage as researchers in this project, similar to previous initiatives funded by the Department of Defense.

UW-Stout continues its commitment to cybersecurity education as demonstrated by its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity for Cyber Defense renewed through 2028 by the National Security Agency.

Additionally, October 14-19 has been designated Cybersecurity Career Week by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), highlighting high demand for skilled professionals in this field. According to NIST, information technology and cybersecurity are predicted to be among the fastest-growing sectors over the next decade.