Metro State opens first cyber range in Minnesota

The MN Cyber Range, a simulator platform used to train and certify IT and cybersecurity professionals, opened at Metro State on May 16. It is the first and only cyber training facility in Minnesota with a military-grade system. Launched in collaboration with Elbit Systems of America, MN Cyber Range is powered by Cyberbit’s cybersecurity training and simulation platform. It teaches users to respond to authentic cyberattack scenarios, like “zero-day” vulnerabilities and ransomware attacks.

According to MN Cyber Executive Director, Professor Faisal Kaleem, the MN Cyber Range will help the state and university become national leaders in cybersecurity and in developing highly-qualified cybersecurity professionals.

The launch event demonstrated the cyber range’s capabilities for guests including Rep. Tony Albright; Brig. Gen. Johanna Clyborne, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer of Minnesota IT Services; Sharon Kennedy-Vickers, director of Technology and Communications for the city of St. Paul; and Adj. Gen. Jon Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard.

Representatives from Elbit Systems of America, based in Fort Worth, Texas, also attended the launch event. Their representatives included Scott Evers, vice president, and Angel Martinez, director of product development.

Students began training on the cyber range in June.

Redesigned university website launches

Metropolitan State University launched the new metrostate.edu website on June 27. The entire website was revamped in three phases. Phase 1 included building the website with a new content management system. The new website was designed and built with the input of over 100 staff, technicians and faculty.

Before the website launched, Information Technology Services (ITS) held two open forums about the university website project on April 16 and 17.  The open forums detailed the website’s many changes and new content, including one-click access to student email, new search panel, events and news section, transfer pathways page, colleges and departments pages, and detailed course requirement descriptions.