The University of Tulsa’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII) has launched the state’s first cyber range. The cyber range aims to rapidly expand services to protect and defend Oklahoma-based organizations from cyber threats.
“The OCII Cyber Range will play a pivotal role in supporting Oklahoma businesses, fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government and preparing the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” said Rose Gamble, UTulsa’s vice president of research and economic development.
The cyber range will serve as a virtual environment that uses state-of-the-art hardware and software to simulate the internet, systems, applications, and devices in a safe training environment using an organization’s actual software to address real-world cyber concerns. Oklahoma organizations and consultants will be able to use the cyber range’s virtual environment to evaluate capabilities, test new procedures, and identify potential vulnerabilities in advance of a breach.
In addition to helping protect organizations and entities across the state, the cyber range will also serve as a vital tool for developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce. The range will serve K-12 students, undergraduate, and graduate students and professionals across the state. The range also facilitates outreach to industry partners, consultants, small businesses and government agencies.
The OCII Cyber Range is funded by $12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology with matching funds from the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
“I am very excited about this major accomplishment in the advancement of The University of Tulsa’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, which was partially funded through the state Legislature’s investment of ARPA dollars,” said state Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa. “Already a national leader in cyber training and security, UTulsa’s new initiative will significantly advance capabilities to produce an even larger highly skilled and sought after state cyber workforce. We will see the financial benefits of our investment in the university’s work for a very long time.”
The OCII Cyber Range is currently working on hiring a manager, planning programming, and recruiting organizations interested in utilizing the facility and technologies while partnerships and curriculum are being formed for its use. Because the range is hosted in a cloud environment, OCII will incorporate it into its mobile classrooms.
