Reading, PA – Reading Area Community College (RACC) has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education project, which is supported by the National Science Foundation.

Through the MentorLinks program, RACC will apply the grant toward strengthening its popular Cyber Defense Certificate program. Funding will help connect faculty and administrative staff to institutions or organizations with strong cyber defense systems, allowing them to stay current with new technologies. Grant money will also be used toward developing internships and field experiences. This will provide opportunities for program graduates to earn industry standard credentials and hands-on practical experience.

By 2021, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions in the workforce. In response to the shortage, RACC introduced a Cyber Defense Certificate program in fall 2018.

“This accelerated program is ideal for professionals seeking to upskill, change careers, or for students wishing to enter the cybersecurity field,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney. “This grant will enable us to continue to strengthen and expand the program to meet the growing demands of the cybersecurity industry.”

The RACC Cyber Defense Certificate combines both networking and systems administration fundamentals, with a focus on defensive strategies to securing systems. This accelerated program can be completed in 15 months, and all courses may be taken online.

For more information about Cyber Defense training at RACC, visit racc.edu/cyberdefense.