UALR to expand cybersecurity efforts across Arkansas with $1 million from Google | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/apr/30/ualr-to-expand-cybersecurity-efforts-across/
Publish Date: 2026-04-30 19:42:00
Source Domain: www.arkansasonline.com
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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is establishing a program to boost cybersecurity around the state with the help of a $1 million award from Google.org, the tech company’s philanthropy program.
UALR’s Cybersecurity Clinic Network will connect students, faculty and partner institutions to provide cybersecurity services for organizations ranging from cities, schools and small utilities to healthcare providers, nonprofits and small businesses, said Phillip Huff, director of UALR’s Cyberspace Operations Research and Education, or CORE, Center. It will focus on rural and underserved areas.
The program is expected to train more than 500 students and support more than 150 organizations over the next six years. Huff, an associate professor of computer science, said the program will be part of the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, an international network of university-based initiatives working on cybersecurity education.
Students participating in the cyber clinics will work under faculty supervision to conduct cybersecurity assessments, recommend secure systems, deploy monitoring tools and assist with remediation planning using industry-best practices.
“This model benefits everyone,” Provost Ann Bain said Thursday during an event at UALR announcing the funding. Students will gain “hands-on experience with real-world problem solving,” organizations around Arkansas will enjoy cybersecurity support and employers will have a pipeline of skilled and educated workers, she said.
The program is scheduled to begin this fall, according to the university. Prior funding from the U.S. Department of Energy supported the development of key technologies that will enable the clinic’s cybersecurity services.
The new initaitive will build on UALR’s leading role in the…
