March 26, 2205

This paid piece is sponsored by Dakota State University.

Dakota State University is expanding its free cyber skills training program, OSINT Academy, which is part of the CyberSkills2Work program.

Sponsored through a subcontract with the University of West Florida, DSU’s new offering is called AI Guardians Bootcamp. This initiative aims to address the growing demand in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure sectors.

“There is a great need for trained and dedicated employees in the cybersecurity workforce,” said Joel Wohnoutka, executive director of DSU’s Applied Research Lab. “Nationwide, the shortage of cybersecurity workers is almost 500,000, and in South Dakota alone, there are more than 1,000 job openings in the field.”

Through the partnership with UWF, students can take free coursework to start or advance a career in cybersecurity. Dakota State University will train more than 170 eligible veterans, transitioning military personnel, first responders, military spouses, and state and local government workers.

“These individuals have a history of serving their communities for the greater public good,” Wohnoutka said. “By focusing on cybersecurity, they can continue their commitment in new and pivotal roles in this critical field.”

The DSU boot camp is part of a $1.3 million contract awarded to UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity. The free coursework will cover three main areas over an eight-week period: Defensive Cybersecurity, AI and Data Management for Cybersecurity, and AI for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Security. During the boot camp, students will address real-world cybersecurity challenges using AI tools they design and implement. Students who complete the program will receive professional badges.

The coursework is asynchronous, with no prerequisites, though students must complete the work by September, Wohnoutka explained.

“Dakota State University is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the University of West Florida and the CyberSkills2Work program, where we’ve been a leader in delivering cutting-edge training for the past five years,” said Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, vice president for research and economic development.

CyberSkills2Work focuses on recruiting, preparing and placing individuals into cybersecurity roles in the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors, while also ensuring existing personnel have the tools to develop their skills in cybersecurity.

DSU has committed to being a national leader in cybersecurity workforce development, and this program demonstrates that commitment, Podhradsky said.

“Our focus on OSINT (open-source intelligence) and dark web forensics has solidified DSU as a trusted expert in preparing cybersecurity professionals for real-world challenges,” she said. “With the expansion into AI and machine learning for cybersecurity, we’re building on our strengths to address the critical needs of today’s evolving threat landscape.”

She is confident that the Applied Research Lab team will provide exceptional training, ensuring that participants are ready to make an immediate impact in this critical field.

To sign up for this program, visit here.

For information about the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, visit uwf.edu/cyber. For information about the CyberSkills2Work program, visit cyberskills2work.org. For more information about DSU, visit dsu.edu.