MTSU, IBM Unveil $5.6M Cybersecurity Training Facility
MTSU and IBM are partnering on a $5.6 million cybersecurity training facility that will allow students, businesses, and government agencies to practice responding to real-world cyberattacks in a controlled environment.
The MTSU Cyber Range, set to open in January 2027, is being developed through a partnership with IBM and will use AWS and Cloud Range technologies to create an immersive virtual training environment for cybersecurity training. The facility is the first of its kind within Tennessee higher education and will include a theater, observation room, faculty offices, and breakout rooms.
The project is funded with $5 million from the state, with the remainder coming from industry partners Middle Tennessee Electric, Delta Dental, and National Healthcare Corp., or NHC. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the facility 'really addresses a workforce need' and shows the partnership between the university and corporate entities like IBM.
The Cyber Range will allow students to train on realistic scenarios involving ransomware, phishing, and attacks on critical infrastructure before entering the workforce. It will also be available to local businesses, government agencies, and K-12 schools to train employees and test cybersecurity response plans.