Suffolk County legislators in April joined students in a simulated digital attack to get a firsthand look at local efforts to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Suffolk County Community College hosted the lawmakers for an overview of its cybersecurity academic program, briefing them on the real-time digital threats facing the general public daily.
The event culminated in the college’s new Cyber Range, a controlled digital environment that replicates real-world networks. Legislators participated in a hands-on demonstration, working alongside enrolled students to identify vulnerabilities and defend systems against simulated cyberattacks without risking actual infrastructure.
“Suffolk County Community College’s Cybersecurity Program continues to equip students with the technical expertise and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in one of today’s fastest-growing and most essential industries,” SCCC President Edward Bonahue said in a statement.
The presentation also featured industry insights from Michael Morganelli of Cisco Systems. Morganelli outlined current cybersecurity trends and local workforce needs, highlighting the importance of partnerships between higher education institutions and leading technology companies.
