Alan Paller Laureate Program

cyberTAP Program for Rural Electrical Cooperatives – Purdue University

Project Description:

Purdue’s cyberTAP team is delivering cybersecurity advisory services to 25 rural electric cooperatives in Indiana. Each cooperative receives 12 months of support, including risk assessments, vulnerability scans, policy development coaching, and incident response planning—all guided by CIS Controls v8.1. The project will also open-source its methodologies for replication nationwide.

Expected Outcomes or Goals:

• Conduct cybersecurity assessments for 25 cooperatives

• Deliver strategic vCISO services and CIS Controls implementation

• Share tools and templates with at least 10 other technical assistance programs

• Build internal capacity for long-term cybersecurity management

• Reduce vulnerability and improve grid resilience

Project Impact or Significance:

Rural cooperatives are essential to powering underserved communities but often lack cybersecurity resources. This project strengthens infrastructure security where it’s most needed and creates a scalable model for other states to follow. By using the CIS Controls and sharing its approach openly, Purdue’s cyberTAP program drives national impact while protecting critical systems.

Security Training Scholarship – Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)

Project Description:

WiCyS expanded its tiered cybersecurity training program to include CIS Controls education and GCCC certification for 25 specially selected women. Participants receive mentorship, career coaching, and scholarships to attend the annual WiCyS Conference for networking and job placement.

Expected Outcomes or Goals:

• Identify and upskill 25 high-potential women

• Provide hands-on training and certification in CIS Controls

• Achieve 100% job placement within 12 months for Tier 4 and 5 graduates

• Promote adoption of CIS Controls across the workforce

• Foster community and long-term career empowerment

Project Impact or Significance:

This initiative addresses the cybersecurity workforce shortage and gender gap by transforming hidden talent into certified professionals. By integrating CIS Controls into a proven training model, WiCyS prepares participants for employment and equips them to strengthen cybersecurity hygiene in their future roles.

LA Cybersecure Pilot Program – SecureTheVillage

Project Description:

This Los Angeles-based initiative launched a pilot program to measurably improve the cybersecurity practices of 50 small and mid-sized organizations. The program is built around Implementation Group 1 (IG1) of the CIS Critical Security Controls® and integrates resources from the Cyber Readiness Institute and Sightline Security’s Kickstart program. The goal is to create a scalable model that can be extended throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

Progress So Far:

• Established and trained a core team of 18 volunteers and staff using CRI’s Cyber Coach Program

• Designed and launched six-month pilot programs for both SMBs and IT/MSPs

• Recruited initial cohorts of 10 SMBs and multiple MSPs

• Attended promotional events and built support infrastructure including databases, registration systems, legal agreements, and marketing materials

• Developed a sponsorship program and began designing a post-pilot Continuing Cyber-Education Program

Expected Outcomes or Goals:

• Improve cybersecurity hygiene for 50 organizations

• Build a replicable model for regional expansion

• Empower IT service providers with CIS Controls-based training

• Create long-term educational and support systems for small businesses

• Reduce cybersecurity disparities by offering free, high-impact resources

Project Impact or Significance:

This program is a game-changer for small businesses in Los Angeles, many of which lack the resources for commercial cybersecurity solutions. By offering free training, coaching, and face-to-face evaluations, the initiative ensures that no organization is left vulnerable due to budget constraints. It’s a bold step toward democratizing cybersecurity and building a more resilient local economy.

Project PISCES Colorado Expansion – National Cybersecurity Center

Project Description:

This initiative expands an existing program that provides hands-on cybersecurity analyst training to students while offering no-cost network monitoring to small, rural jurisdictions. The program simulates real-world SOC environments, giving students operational experience while helping underserved communities defend against cyber threats.

Progress So Far:

• Increased student analyst training by 111%

• Awarded $250 scholarships to 20 students

• Generated 567 threat tickets—up 126% from the previous 16 months

• Added nine new community partners, bringing the total to 13

• Helped protect the data of over 439,000 residents

Expected Outcomes or Goals:

• Train 100 students and expand academic partnerships

• Increase data-sharing partners from 7 to 15

• Provide paid SOC apprenticeship opportunities to 5 students

• Scale ticket generation and threat mitigation efforts

• Produce a threat research white paper

• Build a replicable pipeline model for state SOC recruitment

• Support MS-ISAC’s SOC Apprentice Program development

Project Impact or Significance:

This program bridges the gap between cybersecurity education and real-world experience. It equips students with the skills needed to enter the workforce while delivering critical cyber defense services to communities that would otherwise go unprotected. The model is scalable and already demonstrating national relevance through partnerships with state and federal cybersecurity organizations.

Project Description: This county-level technology nonprofit is building a grassroots program to protect Maryland’s food supply by addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in agriculture. The initiative includes a summer enrichment program for high school students, vulnerability testing tools for farmers, and a security audit process developed in partnership with local 4-H chapters, farm bureaus, and Carroll Community College.

Progress So Far:

Expected Outcomes or Goals:

Project Impact or Significance: As agriculture becomes increasingly reliant on digital technology, the risks to food systems grow. This initiative tackles those risks head-on by educating both current and future farmers, creating practical tools, and embedding cybersecurity into the culture of agricultural operations. It’s a vital step toward securing one of the nation’s most critical infrastructures.