Google is committing more than $20 million dollars to support the creation and expansion of cybersecurity clinics at 20 higher education institutions across the United States, the company announced on Thursday.
Such clinics rely on university students to provide free cybersecurity services to local institutions. By deploying students to community organizations to improve digital defenses, university cybersecurity clinics aim to give students cybersecurity experience, improve local defensive capacity and steer students toward work in cybersecurity.
“This investment that Google’s made today recognizes the value of experiential training. This is not only important for national security but for economic opportunities and national innovation,” Kemba Walden, the acting national cyber director, said at Thursday’s event announcing the funding. “Cyber clinics provide an on-ramp to cyber careers by enabling students from different backgrounds and majors to learn cyber skills.”