Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center for Cybersecurity (ITACC) recently brought together industry professionals, educators and students for a cybersecurity workshop that led to a hands-on assessment for a local manufacturer.

The Securing the Coast: Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity workshop, held September 29 at MGCCC’s STEM facility on the Harrison County Campus, welcomed 36 attendees representing manufacturing, higher education, information technology and other industries.

The event was presented in partnership with Mississippi State University’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, Defense Cybersecurity Group and The Net Effect. Industry experts discussed cybersecurity requirements, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) awareness and practical strategies for strengthening cybersecurity readiness.

The following day, students and faculty from MGCCC and Mississippi State University participated in a cybersecurity assessment at a local manufacturing facility along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The team used the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET) and Cybersecurity Performance Goals to evaluate the manufacturer’s existing cybersecurity practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

The assessment demonstrated how ITACC connects cybersecurity education with the needs of regional industry, providing businesses with practical guidance while allowing students to gain experience in real-world manufacturing environments.

“We want manufacturers to walk away from an ITACC assessment with more than a list of cybersecurity concerns,” said Mary Mederos, director of MGCCC’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center for Cybersecurity. “We want them to understand which risks matter most to their operations and what realistic steps they can take to address them. Every manufacturer is different, so our recommendations are tailored to their specific needs. Our students gain valuable experience by participating in that process and seeing how cybersecurity decisions are made in real manufacturing environments.”

Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important concern for manufacturers, particularly those involved in the defense industrial base. Cyberattacks can disrupt production, compromise sensitive information and create significant financial challenges. Evolving CMMC requirements also make cybersecurity readiness a priority for businesses working with the Department of Defense.

MGCCC’s ITACC helps address these challenges by offering no-cost cybersecurity assessments to small businesses and small to medium-sized manufacturers throughout South Mississippi. The approximately two-hour, discussion-based assessments help businesses identify potential security gaps and receive prioritized recommendations for strengthening their cybersecurity practices.

In addition to assessments, ITACC provides industry workshops, cybersecurity awareness activities and workforce training opportunities designed to help employers and employees better understand cybersecurity risks and develop stronger security practices.

For MGCCC students, participating in industry assessments alongside experienced faculty and cybersecurity professionals provides opportunities to apply technical knowledge, evaluate real-world challenges and develop skills needed for careers in cybersecurity.

Through initiatives such as Securing the Coast, MGCCC continues to strengthen partnerships with regional industry while preparing students to meet the evolving workforce needs of South Mississippi.

Manufacturers interested in learning more about ITACC or requesting a free cybersecurity assessment can visit www.mgccc.edu/itacc or contact Mederos at mary.mederos@mgccc.edu.