Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center awarded $1.15M grant to expand services

Students across Northwestern Pennsylvania may soon be getting better training in cyber security.

Hermitage-based LindenPointe Development Corp's Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center (PCC) has received a $1.15 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant will expand its education services across the region. 

Specifically, the money will be used to offer cybersecurity training for high school, college and adult learners. Those enrolled will be able to take CompTIA Security+, and Cisco Networking Certification classes, according to the Center's website. 

These classes help students get the necessary certifications for cyber security roles in various industries.

"The ARC grant funding will help to establish northwest Pennsylvania as a leader in one of our nation's mission critical technology industries," said Jeff Meier, the executive director of LindenPointe.

There are almost 600,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the United States alone, cybersecurity has become one of the most sought-after and well-paid information technology positions, according to the Center.

According to its website, the center is academic partners with Penn State University, Thiel College, Westminster College and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

The PCC is one of 19 Pennsylvania projects selected as part of a nearly $54 million package to support entrepreneurship, job creation, infrastructure development and more in the Appalachian region. This is the largest single POWER funding package to date since the initiative launched in 2015.