BUTLERVILLE — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, with Indiana National Guard members and Ivy Tech Community College representatives, cut a symbolic network cable Wednesday to officially open the Muscatatuck Cyber Academy.
The academy immerses students in an accelerated associate degree program in which students complete a two-year degree in 11 months. It has been described as the nation’s most exclusive and realistic cyber-physical training environment.
“This academy will continue to improve our state’s security, prosperity and competitive edge,” Holcomb said. “Building on Indiana’s global reputation as a growing tech hub, the Muscatatuck Cyber Academy is an important program to help us develop a 21st century skilled and ready workforce.”
Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech Columbus Campus Chancellor Steven Combs and Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr of Columbus joined the governor during the opening ceremony.
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“The nation requires a workforce that is relevant, agile and adaptable if it is to remain technically competitive in the global economy and successfully address the continually increasing emergent cyber threats from around the globe,” Carr said.
The program is located at the Indiana National Guard’s Muscatatuck Urban Training Center.
For the Indiana National Guard, the urban training center is the nexus of all its cyber initiatives and includes a cybertropolis. It is recognized as the most realistic cyber training environment in the Department of Defense for multi-division level training.
Ivy Tech leaders also see the benefit of the academy located at the National Guard training center and play an integral part in academy’s curriculum.
“This is truly a unique cybersecurity program that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the nation, and quite possibly the world,” Combs said. “We sincerely appreciate the support and collaboration of the National Guard, the National Center for Complex Operations and the state in the development of this program.”
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For more information, visit in.gov/igr/cyber-academy.htm.
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