DEFCON: Cyber
Ep.11 ::: HI-TEC 2026 Presentation: From Classroom to Command Center: Building a Cyber Range and Internship Pipeline
Community colleges face increasing pressure to prepare cybersecurity technicians with practical, real-world skills that align with employer needs. This session explores a proven approach to designing, implementing, and sustaining a simulated cyber range within a community college cybersecurity program. Drawing from an NSF Advanced Technological Education–funded project at Johnston Community College, the presenters discuss the key steps involved in cyber range adoption, including infrastructure planning, curriculum integration, faculty preparation, and student engagement. The cyber range functions as a clinical-style learning environment where students respond to simulated ransomware, reconnaissance, and distributed denial-of-service attacks. These hands-on scenarios provide work-equivalent learning experiences aligned with industry certifications and workforce expectations. Listeners will learn how cyber range simulations can strengthen workforce readiness, increase student engagement and retention, and improve internship outcomes. The session also highlights lessons learned, scalability, and strategies that other institutions can adapt for their own programs. Presenters Ryan Bradshaw, Dean of Business and Digital Technology, Johnston Community College David Oliver, Instructor, Johnston Community College Daphne Lewis, Director of Institutional Grants, Johnston Community College Bob Hildenbrand, Cybersecurity Career Coach, Johnston Community College Brian Worley, Associate Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility, Johnston Community College
