CyberMontana

What CyberMontana does

CyberMontana is a statewide Legislature-funded cybersecurity education initiative headquartered at the University of Montana's Missoula College, established in 2021 to address Montana's cybersecurity workforce shortage and rural cyber-defense gaps. The organization operates as the official state hub for cyber workforce education, coordinating a portfolio of programs spanning K-12 (Cyber STEM Summer Camps, GenCyber Summer Institutes, Dual Enrollment early-college credit), workforce development (Cyber Rapid Training CTS program, Professional Development via Cybrary and Ed2Go, Montana Code School coding bootcamp), and organizational/government cybersecurity services (Security Awareness Training at $30/user annually, PISCES free network monitoring for small public entities, Cyber Hygiene Clinics at public libraries, and the State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program for Montana's public sector). It aggregates curriculum and program delivery across 15+ Montana colleges and university partners, including two NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (Missoula College, 2017, redesignated 2024; Great Falls College MSU, 2019).

The organization's core "technology" is its training curriculum and program-delivery infrastructure rather than a proprietary software product. It leverages third-party platforms (Cybrary, Ed2Go, Microsoft Forms, SentinelOne, KnowBe4, SANS, CompTIA, ISC2, CIS via state contracts) and operates a Security Operations Center at UM Missoula College where students monitor real network metadata for small Montana governments under the PISCES program in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The operating model is hybrid: legislative appropriations and federal grants (including a ~$600,000 NSF GenCyber grant in 2024) cover core funding, while recurring per-user Security Awareness Training fees ($30 private-sector, reduced for public/non-profit, $15 promotional in 2H 2024), one-time Rapid Training tuition (~$2,500 per student), and SLCGP grant-funded services generate supplemental revenue.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: in-person Cyber Hygiene Clinics at libraries across at least 10 Montana counties, GenCyber and STEM summer camps statewide, AI & Cybersecurity Event Series at UM, WiCyS Montana networking events, direct sales for enterprise Security Awareness Training, and partner-channel delivery through Montana colleges, school districts, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, and library networks. Marketing is content- and credibility-led, anchored in a regularly updated blog, newsletter, UM News service coverage, and partner referrals. Customers are diversified across Montana businesses, adult learners, K-12 students and educators, local and rural governments (often sub-150-employee entities), and higher education institutions — with no single enterprise anchor driving concentration risk.

Name

CyberMontana

Legal name

CyberMontana

Website

https://cybermontana.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CyberMontana is a Montana Legislature-funded cybersecurity education initiative at the University of Montana Missoula College, delivering K-12 programs, workforce training, Security Awareness Training, and rural-government cyber services across all 56 Montana counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Workforce Education

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Cybersecurity Awareness (All Employees) (EDABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF), Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA), Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity Support Services (Phishing Response, Account Compromise Triage) (EDALAMAL)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity workforce education
• Security awareness training
• Public sector cybersecurity services
• K-12 cybersecurity programs
• Cyber professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Legislative Funding: CyberMontana is a statewide Legislature-funded initiative. Primary funding comes from Montana state legislative appropriations, making it a publicly funded program rather than a commercial enterprise.
2. Security Awareness Training Fees: Annual per-user subscription fees for Security Awareness Training ($30 per individual user annually for private sector; reduced pricing for public/non-profit; promotional rate of $15 per trainee for private sector during 2024 period). Revenue from organizations subscribing their employees to monthly online training modules.
3. Training Program Fees: Cyber Rapid Training CTS Program costs approximately $2,100 plus under $400 for course materials. Montana Code School Coding Boot Camp and Ed2Go/Cybrary course offerings carry individual course costs. Montana's Future at Work grant covers costs for eligible high school students.
4. SLCGP Grant Program Services: Through the State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program, CyberMontana partners to deliver security awareness training, professional development, endpoint detection and response, and network monitoring services to Montana local governments — funded via federal/state grant program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CyberMontana is a statewide Legislature-funded initiative that delivers cybersecurity education and workforce development programs across Montana. Its core offerings include subscription-based Security Awareness Training for businesses (monthly online lessons on phishing, passwords, MFA), the Cyber Rapid Training CTS Program (10-15 week entry-level cyber certification track), professional development and industry-recognized credentials, NSA-approved higher-education degrees and certificates through 15+ partner colleges, K-12 programs (STEM Summer Camps, GenCyber, Dual Enrollment), no-cost PISCES network monitoring for small public-sector entities, Cyber Hygiene Clinics at public libraries, and statewide coordination of the SLCGP cybersecurity grant program for local governments.

Product overview

CyberMontana is a statewide Legislature-funded initiative serving as the education hub for cybersecurity in Montana. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of education and training products across three main pillars: Security Awareness Training (for businesses and organizations), Workforce Development (Cyber Rapid Training, Professional Development programs), and K-12 Cyber Education (STEM camps, GenCyber, Dual Enrollment). Key products include Security Awareness Training with monthly online lessons, the 10-15 week Cyber Rapid Training CTS Program, Cyber Hygiene Clinics, PISCES network monitoring for small public entities, and the WiCyS Montana Chapter. The organization coordinates with 16+ Montana colleges to deliver higher education programs including certificates and associate degrees, with Missoula College and Great Falls College designated as NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The SLCGP Support program partners with vendors including KnowBe4, SANS Institute, CompTIA, ISC2, SentinelOne, and CIS to deliver training and tools to Montana government entities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Security Awareness Training (SAT) Monthly online cybersecurity training program covering phishing, passwords, social media safety, malware, remote work security, and multi-factor authentication, with interactive 20-30 minute lessons and customized in-person/virtual options for Montana businesses and organizations.
• Cyber Rapid Training CTS Program Accelerated online program preparing students for entry-level cybersecurity roles as a network administrator or computer systems analyst, covering networking, operating systems, ethical/legal issues, and preparing students for CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications.
• Professional Development Workforce development training offering industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), Cybrary and Ed2Go online courses, and Montana Code School coding bootcamp partnerships for individuals advancing in cybersecurity careers.
• Cybersecurity Higher Education Programs Statewide coordination of cybersecurity certificates and degrees across Montana colleges, including 1-year certificates, 2-year associate degrees, and master's programs, with Missoula College and Great Falls College holding NSA NCAE-CD designations.
• Cyber STEM Summer Camps Hands-on summer camps for middle school students teaching cryptography, password cracking, programming in Scratch/Python, electronics, and networking through activities held at Montana colleges throughout the state.
• GenCyber Summer Institute NSA-sponsored cybersecurity camp for middle school students (ages 11-14) featuring online pre-sessions, in-person sessions, and post-sessions covering the foundation of computer security and networking basics.
• Dual Enrollment / Early College Programs Online asynchronous courses allowing high school students to earn college credit in cybersecurity, including Introduction to Cybersecurity (ITS 130) and a Certificate of Technical Studies program, with free credit through Montana's 1-2-Free program.
• PISCES (Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System) No-cost network traffic monitoring program for small public-sector organizations (150 or fewer employees), providing real-time threat monitoring while giving University of Montana cybersecurity students hands-on SOC experience.
• Cyber Hygiene Clinics Free in-person and virtual clinics teaching digital security skills covering phishing, passwords, multifactor authentication, data safety, AI and deepfakes, browser safety, and social media, hosted at public libraries and other community sites across Montana.
• State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLCGP) Support Coordination of grant program providing security awareness training, professional development, endpoint detection and response, and network monitoring for Montana's public-sector entities in partnership with KnowBe4, SANS Institute, CompTIA, ISC2, SentinelOne, and CIS.
• Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Montana Chapter Statewide affiliate of the Women in Cybersecurity organization providing networking, job board access, annual conference, webinars, mentorship programs, veteran assistance, and financial aid for membership; CyberMontana covers WiCyS membership fees for UM students and faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 218 students participated in Cyber STEM Summer Camps in 2023, up from 173 in 2022
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of Montana - Missoula CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CyberMontana is headquartered at and partnered with the University of Montana's Missoula College. Missoula College houses the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (first in Montana, NSA-designated 2017). Missoula College provides faculty (Dr. Tom Gallagher as Dean, Dr. Victor Valgenti as IT Program Director, Prof. Jeff Arends, Prof. Wally Higgins), facilities, and the SOC where PISCES monitoring occurs. Missoula College leads the Community of Practice among Montana's 2-year colleges.
• Montana State University - Great Falls CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Falls College MSU received NCAE-CD designation in 2019 and works collaboratively with Missoula College UM and Gallatin College MSU on curriculum and programs, including Common Course Numbering. It offers an AAS in Cybersecurity and a CTS in Cybersecurity. Steven Robinett serves as Department Chair for the Computer Technology program.
• Montana State University - Gallatin CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGallatin College MSU collaborates on curriculum and programs with Missoula College and Great Falls College MSU. Offers AAS in Cybersecurity Information Assurance, CTS in IT Professional Cybersecurity, and hosts Cyber STEM Summer Camps. Site of GenCyber 2026 camp at Gallatin College (June 8th-12th).
• Montana Department of Military Affairs / Montana DES (SLCGP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLCGP) is administered through Montana DES (Department of Military Affairs Emergency and Disaster Services). CyberMontana coordinates with Montana local governments as SLCGP Coordinator. The program funds security awareness training, professional development, endpoint detection and response, and network monitoring for Montana's public sector.
• PISCES (Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPISCES is a partnership between Missoula College/UM's SOC, PISCES International, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). UM cybersecurity students gain practical SOC experience by monitoring network metadata for small Montana public-sector organizations (typically ≤150 employees). Students detect anomalies and route findings through a community liaison to local partners and the state fusion center.
• Montana College Network (15+ institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyberMontana partners with over 15 Montana colleges and universities offering cybersecurity and IT programs: Fort Peck Community College, Salish Kootenai College, Flathead Valley Community College, Miles Community College, Stone Child College, City College MSU Billings, Helena College, Dawson Community College, Montana Tech Highlands College, Montana State University, Montana State University Billings, Montana Technological University, Montana Western, Carroll College, and Aaniiih Nakota College. These institutions offer AAS degrees, AS degrees, CTS certificates, and MS programs.
• Montana Department of Labor and IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana Department of Labor and Industry consultants participate in CyberMontana events, providing insight on resumes and job interviews for cybersecurity career seekers.
• Montana Information Systems Association (MISA) Student GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMISA student group partnered with CyberMontana and UM Cybersecurity Collective for the AI and Cyber Literacy Workshop on April 8, focused on everyday and academic AI use for college and high school students, with tech demo and networking opportunities.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPNNL supports the PISCES program alongside PISCES International. Ford Powers represented PISCES and PNNL in partnering with UM's SOC to launch the PISCES program at the University of Montana.
• University of Montana Cybersecurity CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cybersecurity Collective is a UM student organization dedicated to promoting cybersecurity education and awareness among students. CyberMontana partners with this student group for AI and cybersecurity events, student panels, and networking receptions at UM College of Business.
• WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity) National OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyberMontana launched the Montana Affiliate Chapter of WiCyS to connect women in cybersecurity statewide, nationally, and globally. CyberMontana covers WiCyS membership fees for UM students and faculty. The chapter provides networking, job board access, annual conference, webinars, and mentorship programs.
• Montana Public LibrariesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCyberMontana partners with public libraries across Montana to host free Cyber Hygiene Clinics, including Rosebud County Library, Sheridan County Library, Carnegie Public Library (Big Timber), Harlowton Public Library, Park County Library (Livingston), Bitterroot Public Library (Hamilton), Bozeman Public Library, Kalispell Senior Center, and Big Horn County Library.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• CompTIA: Issues the Security+ and Network+ certifications that CyberMontana's Rapid Training prepares students for; CyberMontana even bundles two CompTIA exam vouchers, making CompTIA an adjacent credentialing infrastructure peer.
• Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS): National organization whose Montana Affiliate Chapter is hosted by CyberMontana; WiCyS is the parent organization providing the membership, job board, and conference that CyberMontana extends locally to its audience.

Broad incumbents

• SANS Institute: Global cybersecurity training and certification provider and an SLCGP delivery partner; comparable in delivering professional development and credentials, but at much larger scale and price point than CyberMontana's Rapid Training.
• Cyber.org (National Cyber Scholarship Foundation): National K-12 and workforce cybersecurity education nonprofit, the closest direct functional peer to CyberMontana at a national scale; both focus on cyber curriculum, teacher training, and student pathways with grant funding.

Direct peers

• Cybrary: Online cybersecurity training platform that CyberMontana uses as a content delivery partner for professional development; directly comparable in cyber career training format but operates nationally as a commercial SaaS.
• KnowBe4: Commercial security awareness training platform and one of CyberMontana's SLCGP vendor partners; both compete for the same Montana employer SAT budget with overlapping content (phishing, MFA, social engineering).

Emerging players

• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and cybersecurity workforce training for underrepresented adults; closest mission-aligned peer to CyberMontana's adult learner and career-changer programming model.
• NPower: Nonprofit offering free IT and cybersecurity training and job placement for veterans and young adults from underrepresented communities; comparable tuition-free, employer-aligned workforce training model.
• Code.org: Nonprofit promoting K-12 computer science education with broad classroom and summer camp integration; comparable in driving K-12 STEM/cyber awareness at scale, though less cybersecurity-specific than CyberMontana.
• GenCyber Program (NSA/NSF): NSA/NSF-funded summer camp program for K-12 students and teachers; CyberMontana is both a GenCyber grant recipient and a delivery partner, making the program a direct upstream/backbone peer for the same target audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cybermontana

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 CyberMontana