Missoula College’s CyberMontana Aims to Help Rural Communities and Bridge Workforce Gap
Missoula, MT — Blackfoot Communications proudly announces its partnership with the University of Montana as the first-ever corporate community partner for the PISCES (Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System) program in Montana. This innovative initiative seeks to provide free, high-quality cybersecurity analysis and training to public sector organizations in small and rural communities, including schools, public utilities, and city and county governments.
“We are thrilled to have Blackfoot Communications as a partner,” said Missoula College Dean and Associate Vice Provost for two-year education and workforce Development, Tom Gallagher. “They are a trustworthy community stalwart with deep connections to the rural communities we plan to serve. The PISCES program will provide students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity threat monitoring and management. These are critical skills for high-tech companies like Blackfoot, and we are grateful for their support. Montana has a great need for cybersecurity experts, and with Blackfoot’s help, we are solving a workforce gap and bridging the digital divide.”
As a long-time partner of the University of Montana, Blackfoot is excited to serve as the community liaison, connecting local organizations with the valuable resources and training offered by the PISCES program. This collaboration will not only benefit the community by enhancing its cybersecurity posture but also provide valuable educational opportunities for students.
“This is a win-win for Blackfoot,” said Chad Gardner, Chief Revenue Officer of Blackfoot. “We are proud to share this exceptional cybersecurity program with the communities we serve and support the development of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
The PISCES program equips participating organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate cyber threats. By fostering a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem, this partnership aims to safeguard critical community infrastructure and public services from cyber risks. Organizations that qualify for the free program can reach out to info@cybermontana.org for more information.