Faculty, students and partners gathered Wednesday, Feb. 25, to celebrate the opening of the new Cyber Range at Utica University, a landmark for expansion of the institution’s nationally recognized cybersecurity program.
The ribbon cutting ceremony signaled more than the debut of a new facility, some say it stressed Utica University’s broader push to integrate experiential learning with career centered education. Designed as a controlled, interactive training environment, the Cyber Range will allow students to simulate, detect and mitigate cyber attacks using the same tools and strategies employed by cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
“In many respects, this facility — and more importantly the learning that will take place within it — is a microcosm of the vision we hold for not only our cybersecurity programs, but for the University’s educational mission moving forward,” University President Stephanie Nesbitt said during the ceremony.
She emphasized that advanced facilities like the Cyber Range heavily reflect Utica University’s commitment to blending high level analytical skills with real world application.
The facility aims to replicate the fast paced, high stakes conditions cybersecurity professionals face daily. Students will work alongside industry professionals to practice responding to security breaches, test incident response plans and participate in coordinated response teams. The goal, university officials say, is to ensure graduates are workforce ready from day one.
Leslie Corbo, associate professor and director of Cybersecurity, described the Cyber Range as a natural evolution of the University’s longstanding leadership in the field of cybersecurity.
“Our students will be introduced to the latest cyber threats confronting organizations today and methods to mitigate the damage,” Corbo said. “Knowledge from the classroom will be directly applied to the realistic challenges facing the cybersecurity landscape.”
John Oevering, professor of practice of Cybersecurity, stressed the importance of hands-on simulations. The new space will allow students to work through real world scenarios, including ransomware attacks, within a secure learning environment dedicated to technical experimentation and problem solving.
The Cyber Range also strengthens Utica University’s partnerships with federal, state and regional law enforcement agencies, providing students with opportunities to collaborate directly with professionals in the field. That real world exposure, leaders say, enhances both technical competence and critical thinking skills.
Among those praising the initiative was Kyo Dolan, assistant director in the Office of Field Operations at the U.S. Secret Service and a UticaUniversity graduate. Dolan said alumni of the cybersecurity program already leave with practical expertise in cyber defense and investigative tools, adding that the Cyber Range elevates that preparation even further.
“This level of readiness is truly a game changer,” Dolan said, describing students as the next generation of cyber professionals poised to help safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The project received financial support in part from grants awarded by the George I. Alden Trust and Fred L. Emerson Foundation.
