ANN ARBOR, Mich. – For the second consecutive year, Merit Network has been selected by Mile2 as the North American Authorized Training Center (ATC) of the year. Merit was chosen from over 100 Mile2 Authorized Training Center locations around the world. One ATC from each of five global regions was chosen to receive this annual award.
“Being selected as Mile2’s training center of the year for the second year in a row is an incredible honor,” said Joe Adams, vice president for research and cybersecurity at Merit and director of the Michigan Cyber Range. “It speaks to the great partnership between Mile2 and the Michigan Cyber Range. We look forward to this collaboration with Mile2 as we continue to grow and expand.”
Mile2 selected Merit in recognition of their proven dedication to the cause of promoting cybersecurity through the efforts of the Michigan Cyber Range. To become a Mile2 ATC, organizations must go through an official process to gain the authorization to deliver Mile2 training in their region. This was Merit’s second year as a Mile2 Training Center.
Merit began providing Mile2’s cybersecurity courseware and certifications through the Michigan Cyber Range in 2013. Most courses are delivered live online, where instructors conduct classes online with students attending from locations around the world.
In 2014, Merit collaborated with organizations in Michigan to provide new cybersecurity training programs. Merit partnered with Wayne County Community College District and Mile2 to provide a cybersecurity retraining program for military veterans. The 13-week program was the first of its kind in the nation and provided 17 veterans with essential cybersecurity skills.
Through its annual cybersecurity conference, MCRCon, Merit and the Michigan Cyber Range promote cybersecurity awareness and preparedness, hosting IT professionals and students for a day-long gathering on relevant cybersecurity issues.
“I’m excited about the amazing growth Merit has displayed in the last two years,” said Ray Friedman, president and CEO of Mile2. “Merit continues to attract widespread attention from both the private and public sectors with their state of the art cyber range and their blended learning capabilities. Congrats to Merit Network for all their hard work. They surely deserve it!”
Through its collaboration with Mile2, Merit offers cybersecurity certification courses in digital forensics, disaster recovery, ethical hacking, incident handling, wireless security, penetration testing and other cybersecurity disciplines. All courses are NSA CNSS-accredited, as well as NIST and NICCS mapped. Merit Members may receive these courses at discounted rates.
Cybersecurity is a growing priority for organizations, and the Michigan Cyber Range provides valuable real-world experience for students and IT professionals, preparing them to deal with an increasing number of cybersecurity threats. See the calendar of upcoming course offerings at www.merit.edu/cyberrange/
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 on 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 Mile2
Mile2 designs, develops, and delivers cyber security certifications and provides Information Assurance services that meet military, government, private sector and institutional specifications. Mile2 courses and certifications teach the fundamental principles of cyber security and follow a certification track that leads to advanced hands-on skills training for penetration testing and network forensics. Over the course of a decade, Mile2 has developed a robust schedule of cyber security certifications for prominent global organizations.
For more information: www.mile2.com
[meritmediacontact]