Tucson Standard

Community and nonprofit organizations across Southern Arizona will soon have access to free cybersecurity services from the UArizona Cybersecurity Clinic, an initiative established by the University of Arizona College of Applied Science and Technology. The college, headquartered at the university's Sierra Vista campus, was recently awarded $1 million from Google's Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to establish the clinic. This initiative will provide digital security services such as vulnerability assessments, security audits, compliance checks, and policy development.

"As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity education and preparedness has never been more urgent," said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. "This clinic will be instrumental in advancing our community's understanding of cyber threats and help develop innovative solutions."

UArizona joins 15 other higher education institutions launching clinics this year thanks to a collaboration between Google and the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics. This year's announcement follows Google's 2023 support for 10 clinics as part of a commitment to launch 25 Google-supported cybersecurity clinics nationwide by 2025.

In addition to the $1 million in funding, the UArizona clinic will receive mentorship from Google employees, scholarships for the Google Career Certificate in Cybersecurity, and Google Titan Security Keys – USB devices that help prevent phishing attempts.

Nicol Rae, acting dean of the college, stated that establishing the cybersecurity clinic reinforces their status as a national leader in cybersecurity education. "I am very proud and excited that CAST (the College of Applied Science and Technology) will be the home of the University of Arizona's cybersecurity clinic funded by Google," Rae said.

Paul Wagner, associate professor of practice and clinic director, emphasized his excitement about providing students with experiential learning opportunities. "I am excited to connect students with opportunities and real-world experiences," Wagner said.

The structure for the UArizona clinic is currently being developed and it is set to open in January with an initial plan for six years of operations. The focus will begin with local small businesses, hospitals, schools, and community groups in Pima County but is expected to expand throughout Arizona.

Wagner highlighted that specially trained students who receive a Google-backed cybersecurity certification will handle most client interactions. He noted that students from any academic background or experience level are welcome if they have a passion for cybersecurity.

"We are in a world where our safety is constantly at risk," Wagner said. "Our goal is to make sure that everybody we engage with is a little bit more aware and secure in their daily lives."