ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, a Michigan-based non-profit corporation that operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network, and the Pennsylvania-based Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research, also known as KINBER, today announced a strategic partnership that provides KINBER members discounted pricing on Merit’s Professional Learning and cyber security certification courses. “Our partnership not only provides significant savings to our members, but also provides access to Merit’s world-class expertise that will ultimately enhance the entire Pennsylvania landscape,” said Wendy Huntoon, KINBER Executive Director.
Merit provides a regular schedule of in person and live online learning opportunities for IT professionals, aimed at developing and enhancing critical skills, such as networking, Linux security, IPv6, and much more.
KINBER Members will now have access to cyber security courseware and certifications, utilizing the infrastructure of the Michigan Cyber Range. Hosted by Merit, the Michigan Cyber Range is a secure virtual environment used for testing and education. Cyber security courses offered include penetration testing, ethical hacking, information security, digital forensics and more.
KINBER, and Merit have the common goals of providing broadband connectivity to the non-profit community, fostering collaboration between their member organizations and promoting innovation in information technology. Like Merit, KINBER’s membership includes higher education institutions, K-12, libraries, government and healthcare organizations.
This win-win collaboration between the two research and education networks will provide KINBER’s membership affordable opportunities to expand its information technology acumen and cyber security knowledge base. “We are thrilled to partner with KINBER to offer our classes to their members. It is exciting to contribute to the community as it grows,” said Don Welch, president and CEO of Merit Network.
This partnership is the first of its kind for KINBER. Merit currently has learning partnerships with other research and education networks, including Great Plains Network, NCREN, NJEDge.Net, NYSERNet & WiscNet.
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.
For more information: www.merit.edu
About KINBER
The Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research is a non-profit membership organization comprised of education, healthcare, economic development, libraries, public media and other non-profit communities. Established in 2010 through a $99.6 million grant from the National Telecommunications and information Administration, KINBER is committed to delivering equitable, reliable and affordable access, space for collaboration, and digital tools for research and education to inspire tomorrow’s scientific discoveries, enable the exchange of ideas and culture among diverse populations, educate the next generation of citizens and revitalize Pennsylvania’s economy.
For more information: www.kinber.org
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