STCC and Partners Cut Ribbon for Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Congressman Richard E. Neal, joined by dignitaries and community and industry partners, cuts a ceremonial ribbon at The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Technology Collaborative)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College leaders, dignitaries and community and industry partners marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

The state-of-the-art facility will be dedicated to advancing education and innovation in the field of cybersecurity and protecting against security threats.

The Center, named in honor of U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal for his commitment to leading-edge cybersecurity education and the betterment of Springfield Union Station, is set to become a cornerstone for training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony held Sept. 16 at Union Station was attended by a host of distinguished guests, including Congressman Neal, STCC President John B. Cook, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) CEO Carolyn Kirk, CyberTrust Massachusetts CEO Peter Sherlock and partners from the legislature, academia and industry. The event showcased a regional commitment to addressing the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals, as well as affordable cyber services and resiliency resources for municipalities, companies and nonprofit organizations.

Neal led a funding effort in 2023 that resulted in $3 million in congressionally directed spending to establish the Cybersecurity Center, as well as an additional $2 million in state and local funding. Neal said he was proud knowing the Cybersecurity Center for Excellence will have a profound impact on local students for years to come.

The Union Station-located Center is a collaboration between STCC, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, MassTech, and CyberTrust Massachusetts and will serve as a regional nexus, giving students the resources to learn how to combat threats and strengthening the resiliency of cybersecurity in Western Massachusetts.

Congressman Neal said, “It is a great honor to participate in the grand opening of the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center. I would like to thank the consortium of local higher education institutions that brought this project to fruition, including Bay Path University, Elms College, Springfield Technical Community College, and Western New England University, as well as our partners in the Springfield Redevelopment Authority and CyberTrust Massachusetts.

“I’ve committed much of my career in public life to saving this building, securing tens of millions of dollars in federal funding to refurbish what is a pillar in Springfield’s downtown,” Neal said. “Now, 51 years after Union Station closed its doors, I am grateful to have a small piece of this building named in my honor – an honor that I never sought. Today is a great day for the City of Springfield, as we celebrate not only the opening of a Cybersecurity Center that will have a tremendous impact on our students and the regional economy, but also a milestone for this historic building: reaching 100 percent occupancy of the station’s main concourse level.”

It is a great honor to participate in the grand opening of the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center. I would like to thank the consortium of local higher education institutions that brought this project to fruition, including Bay Path University, Elms College, Springfield Technical Community College, and Western New England University, as well as our partners in the Springfield Redevelopment Authority and CyberTrust Massachusetts. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, Congressman, First District of Massachusetts

STCC President Cook expressed his appreciation to Neal as well as state, local and higher education partners for taking the project from vision to reality. He noted that the Cybersecurity Center reflects STCC's technical mission and reinforces high-value career skills that complement employer needs.

"The opening of this Center represents a significant step forward with a strategic plan that invites us to lead the educational ecosystem," Cook said. "We are grateful for the public investment and proud to stand up a facility that will not only enhance the learning experience for students but also contribute to continued economic development in Western Massachusetts."

The Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will serve as a regional center for Western Massachusetts and beyond, with programming that will also include information seminars and mini-conferences, as well as in-service training and simulation for current cyber professionals. The 6,000-square-foot facility includes a Cyber Range, a simulated cyber environment for student training and exercises, and a Security Operations Center (SOC), which provides real time detection and response to local municipalities and businesses.

The Center at Springfield Union Station is one of three SOC and/or Cyber Range facilities in Massachusetts currently open and running that were established as part of the state’s Cyber Security Operations Center and Cyber Range Initiative (SOC-Range Initiative).  Another Cyber Range and Security Operations Center is based at Bridgewater State University, and a Cyber Range opened last fall at MassBay Community College.  MassTech also recently awarded grant money to Salem State University to establish and operate a Cyber Range.

In addition to federal funding, additional support came from the state and City of Springfield. MassTech provided the initial $1.46 million through the MassCyberCenter as part of the SOC-Range Initiative.

“Massachusetts is focused on building a dynamic cybersecurity ecosystem to defend cities and towns across the state,” said MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk. “The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will continue to advance our efforts to foster a strong talent pipeline that supports private and public entities in the region through our SOC-Range Initiative.”

Peter Sherlock, CEO of CyberTrust Massachusetts, said, “We’re excited to extend our statewide SOC operation into Springfield where students from local partner colleges will gain critical job experience working in the Neal Center’s new SOC, under the supervision of our experienced cyber staff, while delivering critical cybersecurity services to local municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said, “Congressman Richard Neal continues to provide exemplary leadership on behalf of our city of Springfield and Union Station – the house that Neal built. This transformative and dynamic Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing education and innovation in the field of cybersecurity.

“My administration is proud to have supported this endeavor thanks to $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which Congressman Neal also helped to secure direct funding for our communities,” Sarno said.

The grand opening in fall 2024 comes at a time when Massachusetts is launching free community college for residents including MassEducate and MassReconnect.  MassEducate, the initiative for all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, has been hailed as a “game changer.”

STCC’s programs including Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Programming and Computer Systems Engineering, represent approximately 400 students, including high school students earning credit, who can train or pursue a paid internship, at The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

In addition to STCC, other higher education institutions partnering in the Center include Bay Path University, Elms College and Holyoke Community College. Each college or university draws from a range of non-credit, as well as undergraduate certificate and degree programs in IT/Security and Computer Science, to augment educational pathways.

Students who train at The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will have access to paid internships where industry professionals will teach the technical skills needed to confront cybersecurity threats. The cybersecurity industry needs more trained professionals to help prevent incursions and defeat security threats and The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will help fill the demand.

The Center also offers research opportunities that establish best practices combined with emerging technologies and community outreach and education forums to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks and solutions.

Additionally, the Center will work to ensure access for underrepresented communities into the industry, with a particular effort to draw women and students of color to the field.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

About the MassCyberCenter

The MassCyberCenter promotes the Massachusetts cybersecurity ecosystem by working to build a strong cyber talent pipeline and to strengthen the defense of local communities. The MassCyberCenter works with cities, towns, universities and the private sector to build cyber awareness, institute best practices, grow future workforce talent, and create a more powerful cyber defense force to guard against future threats. Learn more at https://masscybercenter.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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