The MCPc Cyber Education Center at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Penn., recently held its grand opening.
MCPc invested $1 million of the $1.5 million needed to build the facility, which houses a Secure Operations Center, where 16 Mercyhurst students will be paid industry rates to work with MCPc clients. The facility will also be home to a teaching lab, consisting of 20 workstations.
“MCPc is committed to Erie’s economic growth,” Andy Jones, CEO of MCPc, said. “As a company that helps customers optimize technology, we know that ‘optimization’ requires us to stay at the vanguard of technology, and nothing better ensures this goal than a steady stream of talent. That is behind our commitment to Mercyhurst. It acknowledges the visionary leadership of President Victor and the role the Ridge College plays in preparing students to meet the country’s ever-rising demand for a skilled workforce in cybersecurity.”
Intelligence studies majors, data science majors, and students studying cybersecurity will utilize the space. The lab will also be available to those enrolled in the F.W. Hirt-Erie Insurance Risk Management Program, the first cyber-focused risk management program in the United States, the university said.
Our goal is a steady stream of talent that not only satisfies MCPc’s demand but every company’s need in the region for such talent,” Jones said. “It helps keep local talent local, and it translates into companies spending less time and money on importing talent to the North Coast.”