Maine students now eligible Cyber Service Academy scholarships [Video]

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — There is a critical shortage of cybersecurity personnel across the country. To address this urgent need, scholarships are being offered to students studying the field, providing them a pathway to join the country’s frontline defense against cyber threats.

“Right now, we’re at about 140 current students,” Wendy Plourde, a professor of cybersecurity at SMCC, said.

Inside the school’s computer lab, students are learning foundational skills that will prepare them to combat cyber threats.

“It’s all starting out with networks and servers and how to secure those,” Plourde explained. “That gives them a good foundation.”

For these students, there’s a new opportunity on the horizon. The Cyber Service Academy, part of the U.S. Department of Defense, is offering scholarships to students studying cybersecurity and related fields.

“This is a really big deal …