What Cyber Innovation Center does

Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Bossier City, Louisiana, serving as the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park. Its mission is to stimulate innovation-based economic growth, develop a knowledge-based STEM workforce, and serve as a conduit between federal agencies, private industry, and academic institutions. CIC operates two core programs: STRIKEWERX, the innovation hub for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) that delivers design sprints, challenge events, mixed-reality training systems, and prototype development; and CYBER.ORG, a K-12 cybersecurity education initiative funded by the CISA CETAP grant that reaches 45,000+ teachers and 5.6 million students across all 50 states and four U.S. territories.

CIC's technology portfolio includes the Common Risk Picture analytics platform for AFGSC, the Modernization Assessment Database (MAD), the CYBER.ORG Range virtual training environment (800,000+ VM launches, 1,900+ schools), the A-Circuit Mixed Reality Trainer for ICBM security forces, and the EARL B-52 air refueling VR trainer (estimated $4M/year in savings). Workforce programs include the National Security Fellowship, ROTC Cadet Training, and Striker Airmen Coder (SAC) programs with university partners including Louisiana Tech, LSUS, Grambling State, and BPCC.

CIC's business model is grant- and contract-funded rather than commercial. Primary revenue comes from the AFGSC PIA (federal contracting) and the CISA CETAP grant, with documented impact of $248M+ in AFGSC partnership value and ~$300M in projected Air Force savings. CIC does not publicly disclose revenue. It has 11–50 employees, three wholly-owned operating subsidiaries (CYBER.ORG, STRIKEWERX, and the National Cyber Research Park), and was awarded $129M in federal funding in October 2023 alongside a leadership transition to Kevin Nolten as President in 2025.

Name

Cyber Innovation Center

Legal name

Cyber Innovation Center

Website

https://cyberinnovationcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cyber Innovation Center is a 501c3 non-profit in Bossier City, Louisiana, operating STRIKEWERX as the Air Force Global Strike Command innovation hub and CYBER.ORG as a national K-12 cybersecurity education platform reaching 45,000+ teachers and 5.6 million students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Innovation & Cybersecurity Education Services

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Other Computer Related Services (541519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics) (EDAMACAH), Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF), Cybersecurity (General) (EDAOAIAB)

Keywords

• Defense innovation services
• Cybersecurity education
• Workforce development programs
• Mixed reality training
• Government research partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bossier City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants and Contracts: Primary funding through Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with Air Force Global Strike Command, CISA Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant, and various DoD contracts. CIC received $129M in federal funding for cybersecurity and national security initiatives.
2. Educational Programs: CYBER.ORG provides no-cost curriculum and teacher professional development resources for K-12 cybersecurity education, funded by CISA CETAP grant.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cyber Innovation Center is a 501c3 non-profit that operates the National Cyber Research Park and serves as a defense innovation hub for the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command through its STRIKEWERX program, delivering design sprints, rapid prototyping, and mixed-reality training solutions. It also runs CYBER.ORG, providing no-cost K-12 cybersecurity curriculum, teacher professional development, and a virtual cybersecurity training platform (CYBER.ORG Range) to schools nationwide.

Product overview

Cyber Innovation Center operates as a multi-initiative organization rather than a unified product platform. The portfolio consists of CYBER.ORG (K-12 cybersecurity education sub-brand including the CYBER.ORG Range virtual training platform), STRIKEWERX (defense innovation hub facilitating design sprints, challenge events, and prototype development), and various workforce programs including the National Security Fellowship, ROTC Cadet Training, and Striker Airmen Coder programs. Supporting technology products include the A-Circuit Mixed Reality Trainer, EARL B-52 Air Refueling Trainer, Common Risk Picture analytics platform, and HomeBase mobile app. These initiatives serve government, academic, and industry partners to develop knowledge-based workforce and advance defense technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Cyber Research Park: 3,000-acre research park serving as the anchor of the CIC ecosystem
• CYBER.ORG Range

Products and services

• CYBER.ORG A K-12 cybersecurity education initiative providing no-cost curriculum and teacher professional development resources to schools nationwide. Supported by CISA's Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant. Reaches 45,000+ teachers and 5.6 million students across all 50 states and four U.S. territories.
• CYBER.ORG Range A no-cost, secure virtual environment where K-12 students can practice deploying and discovering cyber-attacks in a safe, controlled setting using real-world cybersecurity tools. Has logged 800,000 virtual machine launches and is used by 1,900+ schools.
• STRIKEWERX The innovation hub for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), connecting government, industry, and academia to bridge critical defense technology gaps. Facilitates design sprints, challenge events, and prototype development for defense technology innovation.
• A-Circuit Mixed Reality Trainer Mixed reality training device combining augmented reality with physical models for ICBM security forces to train on A-Circuit combination changing processes. Developed for the largest concentration of security forces in USAF.
• EARL B-52 Air Refueling Trainer VR-based air refueling trainer utilizing virtual reality mixed with physical hardware to simulate air-to-air refueling for B-52 crews. Lightweight, small-footprint sled design estimated to save $4M per year in training costs.
• Common Risk Picture (CRP) Data analytics platform enabling data-driven decisions for Air Force Global Strike Command by collecting, analyzing, and organizing data across the Department of War, USAF, and AFGSC. Helps commanders understand mission risk and enables programmatic decision support.
• National Security Fellowship Program Year-long program bringing together university junior, senior, and graduate students with AFGSC project champions to foster collaboration and innovation. Fellows apply skills in computer science, mathematics, and other fields to assist the Air Force on real-world national security projects.
• Striker Airmen Coder (SAC) Program Six-month program providing Airmen real-world experience in software development and data analytics. Comprises three months of virtual training followed by three months at CIC working with industry experts on software and data science problems.
• DETER Curriculum Digital Education Training for Enhanced Readiness curriculum developed with Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana Tech to increase digital fluency among AFGSC Airmen, with modular courses from basic digital fluency through data analysis and advanced PowerBI functionalities.
• HomeBase App Mobile app optimized for Airmen to interact with sponsors and each other, designed to help prevent drunk driving, suicides, and assaults. Developed by Ruby Shore Software under CIC's Partnership Intermediary Agreement with AFGSC.
• Modernization Assessment Database (MAD) Data management tool that analyzes different modernization ideas and prioritizes the most impactful efforts using an algorithm-based ranking system for repeatable, measurable evaluation in support of AFGSC modernization decisions.
• ROTC Cadet Training Success Program Eight-week summer program for U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets to work on technical projects developing systems, concepts, and technologies that enhance AFGSC capabilities at Barksdale AFB, Malmstrom AFB, and Whiteman AFB.

Quantifiable outcome

• AFGSC realized five-fold return on investment with $248M+ impact
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2023Primary government partner through Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). CIC and STRIKEWERX serve as innovation hub for AFGSC, delivering defense technology solutions, prototyping, and workforce development. Partnership has generated $248M+ in impact and nearly $300M in projected savings.
• U.S. Coast Guard Sector New OrleanssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC provides continuity of operations (COOP) space for Coast Guard when natural disasters threaten Louisiana coastline.
• CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough CETAP grant, CISA supports CYBER.ORG Range expansion nationwide. CISA Director Jen Easterly participated in ribbon cutting ceremony.
• Louisiana Tech Applied Research Corporation (LTARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages National Security Fellowship program and provides administrative oversight for fellowship students working with AFGSC.
• Louisiana Tech UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding university partner for National Security Fellowship program. Students contribute to defense innovation projects. Partnership expanded to include Louisiana Tech Research Institute.
• Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdded as partner institution for National Security Fellowship program in fourth year, contributing students to defense technology projects.
• Grambling State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing students to National Security Fellowship program since third year of initiative.
• Common Sense EducationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with CYBER.ORG to introduce educators to cybersecurity in classroom and expand K-12 cybersecurity access.
• PraesessecondaryTechnology or IntegrationShreveport software company partnered to modernize bomber combat prep through software development for AFGSC.
• Specular TheorysecondaryTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner developing EARL simulator for B-52 air refueling training using VR mixed with physical hardware.
• BetaFlix, Inc.secondaryTechnology or IntegrationLouisiana-based company contracted to develop A Circuit mixed reality trainer for ICBM security forces.
• Sandia National LaboratoriessecondaryTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated with CIC and AFGSC to support training for Dante software in advanced force protection modeling and analysis.
• Adaptive Immersion TechnologiessecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSelected to develop immersive training solution for AFGSC Emergency Ordnance Disposal accident response scenarios.
• JANUS Research GroupsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSelected to develop B-52 communications training solution for AFGSC Advanced Training Concepts Challenge.
• Long Wave Inc.secondaryTechnology or IntegrationSelected to develop E-4B communications maintenance trainer for AFGSC Advanced Training Concepts Challenge.
• Bossier Parish Community CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DETER curriculum initiative to increase digital fluency among AFGSC Airmen through bootcamp-style training.
• Ruby Shore SoftwaresecondaryTechnology or IntegrationShreveport company that developed HomeBase app for AFGSC and worked with SAC program participants on software development.
• Louisiana Tech UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior design projects for B-52 equipment including maintenance stands, tow bars, urinal designs, and ejection seat improvements.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cyber Innovation Center