Carolina Cyber Center

What Carolina Cyber Center does

Carolina Cyber Center (C3) is a non-profit cybersecurity workforce training organization operating as an extension of Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina, founded in 2018–2019. Its primary offering is a 10-month, part-time, virtual Cyber Defense Analyst program priced at $14,400 per student, structured to serve career changers, recent graduates, and employer-sponsored learners, with cohorts beginning twice per year. The program leverages external training platforms and tools from partners including CompTIA, Cisco, Cyberbit, Rangeforce, and Hack the Box, and operates under Montreat College's CAE-CD designation from the NSA/DHS.

The center's go-to-market is sales-led, with prospective students engaging advisors prior to enrollment, and tuition supplemented by scholarships, Sallie Mae payment plans, and state-funded financial aid. Beyond training, the center runs c3.security, a commercial cybersecurity services arm that channels trained students into project work for small and mid-sized businesses, effectively converting the training pipeline into a workforce-services offering. Customers span individual learners (B2C tuition) and SMB/employer clients (B2B services).

Strategically, the center has built institutional leverage through the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN), co-founded in 2020 with Fayetteville Technical Community College and now comprising 18 member institutions across North Carolina, creating a shared ecosystem for student referrals, instructor sharing, and employer engagement. Its national profile was elevated when it was featured in the White House National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy in July 2023, and it tied Purdue for first place in the Cyberbit ICL Collegiate Cup in 2022. Funding is a mix of tuition, Montreat College support, and grants from the State of North Carolina, with no disclosed external venture funding.

Name

Carolina Cyber Center

Legal name

Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College

Website

https://carolinacybercenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Carolina Cyber Center is a non-profit cybersecurity training program operating under Montreat College, offering a 10-month virtual Cyber Defense Analyst course plus commercial security services, primarily serving career changers, recent graduates, and SMB employers in North Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Training & Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity (General) (EDAOAIAB), Cybersecurity Technical Skills (Security Engineering, SOC, Pen Testing) (EDABAFAF), Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA), Phishing, Social Engineering & Business Email Compromise (BEC) Training (EDABAGAB)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity training
• Cyber defense education
• Security certification programs
• Cybersecurity workforce development
• IT security bootcamp

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreat

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Tuition: Primary revenue from the 10-month Cyber Defense Analyst program at $14,400 per student. Additional revenue from certification exam fees (first attempt included, subsequent attempts student responsibility).
2. Financial Aid Processing: Grant-funded scholarships (e.g., 50% discount for NC residents) and student loans through Sallie Mae. Payment plans with $1,000 deposit required.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Carolina Cyber Center (C3) provides a 10-month part-time virtual Cyber Defense Analyst training program that prepares individuals without prior IT backgrounds for entry-level cybersecurity roles such as Cyber Defense Analyst, SOC Analyst I, and Information Security Analyst I. The program delivers live instructor-led classes with hands-on cyber range simulations, virtual labs, and preparation for CompTIA Security+, Cisco, and other industry credentials. A complementary regional cybersecurity services line (c3.security) offers consulting, risk assessments, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and managed detection response for businesses.

Product overview

Carolina Cyber Center operates as an educational institution offering cybersecurity training programs, primarily through its Academy division. The core product is the C3 Cyber Defense Analyst Program, a 10-month part-time virtual training course that prepares individuals for entry-level cybersecurity careers without prior IT experience. The program is complemented by Cybersecurity Services (at c3.security) that provide regional security consulting and services. The center leverages award-winning cybersecurity training curriculum from Montreat College and focuses on developing cybersecurity professionals of character with both technical skills and essential life skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• C3 Cyber Defense Analyst Program A 10-month part-time virtual instructor-led training program that prepares individuals without prior IT experience for entry-level cybersecurity positions such as Cyber Defense Analyst, SOC Analyst I, and Information Security Analyst I. Includes hands-on labs, cyber range simulations, and preparation for CompTIA Security+, Cisco IT Support Essentials, Networking Essentials, and Industrial Cybersecurity Essentials certifications.
• Cybersecurity Services Regional cybersecurity services offered through c3.security, including security consulting, risk assessments, policies and procedures, vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and managed detection and response for businesses and organizations in North Carolina and surrounding areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates can enter cybersecurity careers in 10-12 months vs. 4 years for traditional degrees
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fayetteville Technical Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-founded the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) with Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2020 to address the cybersecurity talent gap in the Carolinas. Initial partnership to provide aid to bring member institutions up to National Initiative for Cybersecurity Excellence (NICE) standards and assist in obtaining Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) designation from NSA.
• Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) Member InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Network of 18 colleges across North Carolina (Blue Ridge CC, Caldwell CC, Catawba Valley CC, Cleveland CC, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville Tech CC, Forsyth Tech CC, Gaston College, Isothermal CC, Johnston CC, Montreat College, NC A&T State University, Piedmont CC, Richmond CC, Stanly CC, UNC Wilmington, Wake Tech CC, Wayne CC) working together to close the cybersecurity workforce gap.
• EasyDMARCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Cybersecurity Series, providing cybersecurity awareness content and support for Asheville area businesses and non-profits.
• Hook SecurityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Cybersecurity Series providing cybersecurity awareness training content for small and medium businesses.
• CompTIAcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertification partner providing IT Support Essentials, Security+ and other certifications aligned with the curriculum. CertMaster Labs integrated into training.
• CISCOcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertification partner providing IT Support Essentials, Networking Essentials, Industrial Cybersecurity Essentials certifications and networking curriculum with CertMaster Labs.
• CyberbitcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of International Cyber League competition platform and cyber range simulations used for hands-on training and competitions. Students practiced Cyberbit Labs and LiveFire sessions before competitions.
• RangeforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationCyber range and simulation provider for hands-on cybersecurity training exercises and virtual labs.
• Hack the BoxcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform for cybersecurity training, capture the flag events, and real-world challenges bridging theory and practice for students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Flatiron School: Bootcamp offering cybersecurity and software engineering programs with career services and employer partnerships. Comparable to C3 in accelerated cybersecurity training model and career-pivot value proposition, though operating as a for-profit.
• OffSec (Offensive Security): Provider of OSCP and other penetration testing certifications with hands-on lab environments. Comparable to C3's certification-prep model and emphasis on practical skills, though OffSec targets more advanced practitioners.
• TryHackMe: Online cybersecurity training platform with hands-on labs and guided learning paths for beginners to advanced practitioners. Comparable to C3 in targeting career changers seeking practical cyber skills, though delivered as self-paced content rather than cohort-based instructor-led training.
• Hack The Box: Cybersecurity upskilling platform with capture-the-flag challenges, labs, and certifications used by individuals and enterprises. Directly comparable as one of C3's training tool partners and a leading hands-on cyber range competitor for career-changer audiences.
• Cybrary: Online cybersecurity and IT training platform offering video courses, hands-on labs, and certification prep for career changers and practitioners. Closely comparable to C3's target audience of career transitioners seeking affordable cybersecurity credentials.
• Springboard: Online bootcamp offering career-focused tracks including cybersecurity with mentor-led, cohort-based programs. Comparable to C3 in virtual cohort delivery, career-changer target market, and job-placement support.
• SANS Institute: Premier cybersecurity training and certification organization offering instructor-led courses, GIAC certifications, and cyber ranges. Highly comparable to C3 in targeting career advancers with hands-on, certification-aligned training, though at higher price points and broader geographic reach.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit technology training provider offering tuition-free IT and cybersecurity courses with employer partnerships. Comparable to C3 in mission-driven workforce development for career changers, regional delivery model, and employer-aligned curriculum.
• NPower: Nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training and job placement for underserved adults, including cybersecurity pathways. Comparable to C3 in nonprofit workforce-development mission, career-changer focus, and employer partnership model.

Broad incumbents

• (ISC)²: Global nonprofit certifying body for cybersecurity professionals (CISSP, SSCP, CCSP). Comparable to C3 in nonprofit structure and certification-driven value proposition, though (ISC)² operates at a much broader industry level rather than as a single training center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Carolina Cyber Center