Mountwest College Launches Pioneering Cybersecurity Hub to Combat Digital Threats

At a glance

• Mountwest Community & Technical College has opened a new Cybersecurity Center.
• The center gives students hands-on practice defending against cyberattacks.
• Partnerships with tech companies will shape the curriculum and training.
• Demand for skilled security workers keeps growing.

A new cyber range in Huntington

Mountwest Community & Technical College opened its Cybersecurity Center in March 2025, with a ribbon-cutting on March 21 at its Huntington, West Virginia, campus. The 1,200-square-foot facility includes a cyber range for hands-on training, space for cybersecurity and e-sports competitions, and a viewing area for spectators.

Working with industry

The center is built to work like a lab in a real company. Partnerships with tech firms and security companies are meant to give students practical knowledge and keep the curriculum current with the tools employers use. That’s the pitch.

Cyber range and virtual labs

The heart of it is the cyber range. The tools match what working analysts use every day in security operations centers, so a graduate who sits down at a regional bank or hospital network on day one will already recognize the consoles in front of them. Students will practice responding to incidents ranging from data breaches to ransomware.

Why demand keeps rising

Demand for security workers is high because attacks are more frequent and more sophisticated. The Mountwest center adds to efforts to grow that workforce in West Virginia. As more industries depend on digital systems, the skills required keep changing. Employers in the region have said they struggle to find trained defenders.

What students will learn

Skills age fast. Mountwest’s program covers basic knowledge and advanced technical skills, including ethical hacking, network security and digital forensics.

What the center means for the region

The center gives Huntington-area students a place to train on real tools without leaving the region. Students interested in the program can tour the cyber range and ask about the competitions it hosts. Local employers can offer internships and guest instructors. The open question is whether more community colleges will follow with labs of their own.

John King, CISSP, PMP, CISM

John King currently works in the greater Los Angeles area as a ISSO (Information Systems Security Officer). John has a passion for learning and developing his cyber security skills through education, hands on work, and studying for IT certifications.