TUCSON, Ariz. – The threat of cybercrime is an ever-present danger in today’s digital world. However, this challenge also presents a unique opportunity for students at Pima Community College (PCC). On Thursday, Governor Katie Hobbs announced a new collaboration between the college and the state of Arizona, aimed at addressing the growing need for cybersecurity professionals.
Under this partnership, PCC will receive essential equipment from the state, while students gain valuable hands-on experience through internships. This initiative not only benefits the students but also strengthens the state’s cybersecurity infrastructure by preparing a new generation of defenders.
Christopher Shaw, one of the interns involved in the program, shared his excitement about the opportunity. “This means everything to me. This is my career change here, and I want to help protect the country, the world, everybody,” he said. Shaw is part of a growing number of students who are stepping into the cybersecurity field, where demand is high, and experience can be hard to come by for newcomers.
The announcement took place at the Cybersecurity Operations Center at PCC East, a facility that serves as a hub for training and real-world application. IT and Cybersecurity Academic Director Chris Bonhorst emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors. “We need to all work together as a community—community colleges, nonprofits, government agencies, and the private sector,” he said. He added that the urgency of cybersecurity threats is constant, with many people having experienced some form of compromise in their personal or professional lives.
Arizona Department of Homeland Security Deputy Director Ryan Murray highlighted the initiative’s focus on supporting communities that lack the resources to defend themselves. “We’re trying to protect those communities while we’re building the cyber defenders of the future,” he said.
The partnership includes 10 internships designed to protect critical state resources, including departments, law enforcement, and schools. Governor Hobbs described the initiative as the Cybersecurity Talent Ready AZ Initiative, which was officially launched during the grand opening of PCC’s regional cybersecurity operations center.
“This is a growing need to have that security and protect all of our infrastructure from those kind of attacks,” Hobbs said. She also noted that the program aligns with broader goals of workforce development, creating high-paying jobs and strengthening the community through education and training.
Jim Craig, Dean of Business, IT, and Hospitality at PCC, emphasized the college’s mission to prepare capable employees who can contribute to both the economy and the safety of the community. “In this case, protecting our community through cybersecurity is a key part of that mission,” he said.
For students like Shaw, the program offers a pathway into a rapidly expanding field. “I think there’s a real demand, and it’s kind of challenging for people who are entry-level trying to get into that particular role just based on experience, and this gets me the experience I need,” he explained.
Currently, seven of the 10 internship positions are filled. The Center for Excellence, which has been active since around 2020, officially launched its cybersecurity program in June, with the University of Arizona also participating in the initiative.
As the program expands across the state, it is expected to create more opportunities for students and strengthen Arizona’s cybersecurity capabilities. With the increasing frequency of cyber threats, initiatives like this are becoming more critical than ever in safeguarding public and private infrastructure.
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