Economic Sector Groups
Agriculture
Scott Queen, Isothermal Community College
The Agriculture Sector Group is dedicated to strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the agricultural industry by increasing awareness of cyber threats among farmers, distributors, and consumers. To address this, the group has prioritized sector-specific cybersecurity training at CCN member schools, ensuring that students are equipped to tackle challenges unique to agriculture. Additionally, partnerships with businesses and agricultural organizations are being developed to identify vulnerabilities and implement effective solutions tailored to industry needs.
Government and Public Services
Scot McCosh, Fayetteville Technical Community College
The Government and Public Services Sector Group has focused on providing students with hands-on cybersecurity experience through innovative projects. A 2024 pilot program, in partnership with the Mid-Carolina Council of Government (MCCOG), engaged student teams to perform soft cyber assessments for local governments. Guided by technical advisors, students identified vulnerabilities and provided recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. Participants gained experience in meeting management, compiling technical results, creating presentations, and public speaking. To expand the program, the group is developing a project implementation toolkit that will enable member schools to replicate this successful initiative across the state.
Finance
Greg Sayadian, Montreat College
The Finance Sector Group is working to bridge the gap between academic training and the specific needs of the financial sector. It has compiled job descriptions for entry-level and mid-level cybersecurity positions and is mapping these roles to tasks and the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). This effort is focused on aligning classroom learning with real-world job functions, ensuring graduates are job-ready. The group also examines how financial institutions recruit cybersecurity talent, which will inform strategies for fostering connections between students and employers.
Healthcare
Athena Smith, Catawba Valley Community College
Led by Catawba Valley Community College, the Healthcare Sector Group has launched a continuing education course on Cyber Resiliency for non-IT healthcare personnel. The curriculum addresses phishing awareness, password management, data protection, securing medical devices, incident response, and more, emphasizing practical, actionable strategies for maintaining cybersecurity in healthcare environments. This course is available to all CCN member schools, with training provided for instructors. The group is also organizing a Cyber Healthcare Leadership Series, which brings together healthcare leaders across the state to discuss cybersecurity strategies, incident response, and fostering a culture of cyber-awareness within healthcare organizations.
Manufacturing
Rodney Cobb, Cleveland Community College
The Manufacturing Sector Group is building connections with North Carolina manufacturers to assess and respond to their cybersecurity workforce needs. A survey distributed to local manufacturing partners collects valuable insights on workforce challenges, skill gaps, and training needs. The group also supports CCN instructors through professional development opportunities, helping them stay informed about emerging trends and innovations in manufacturing cybersecurity. Recent activities include a Lunch and Learn event at Cleveland Community College, where sector representatives, students, and industry professionals discussed collaboration opportunities. Additionally, Rodney Cobb’s presentation at Gaston College’s PARC Professional Development Day emphasized the integration of cybersecurity across educational disciplines and highlighted its critical role in the manufacturing sector’s future.
Maritime Transportation
Ulku Clark, University of North Carolina Wilmington
The Transportation Sector Group hosted a Maritime Cybersecurity Workshop to address the unique challenges of cybersecurity in ports and maritime operations. The workshop, structured around the themes of people, processes, and technology, produced actionable recommendations, including clarifying cybersecurity roles in port organizations, developing tailored training, improving communication for incident response, and creating a “Certified for Maritime Use” program to ensure minimum cybersecurity standards for maritime technology. The group plans to hold additional workshops in 2025 to identify technology trends and capability gaps and link research and development efforts to address critical industry needs.
Utilities
Brian Goodman, Richmond Community College
Key achievements of the Utilities Sector Group include establishing a cybersecurity training program through ISC2 for Richmond Community College students enrolled in the Electric Utility and Substation Relay Technology program, launching in Spring 2025. This training is appropriate for students in programs that are not traditionally cyber-focused. The group is evaluating the incorporation of Industrial Control Systems and Industrial IoT Essentials into Manufacturing and Energy curricula through the Cisco Network Academy, aiming to address emerging sector-specific needs. Four faculty members from Stanly Community College participated in hands-on ICS cybersecurity training at Idaho National Labs, which featured innovative offensive and defensive escape room exercises, reinforcing the group’s commitment to advancing practical skills and sector resilience.