Protection
Protecting Montana’s Communities and Critical Infrastructure
Cyber threats don’t stop at city limits - they affect schools, counties, rural municipalities, and critical infrastructure across Montana. Many of these organizations lack the resources to defend themselves, which makes them prime targets. Our Protection initiatives are designed to close that gap.
Through partnerships with national leaders like , , and DHS-funded programs such as , we connect Montana communities with cost-effective monitoring, trusted tools, and hands-on student analysts who bring fresh energy to the fight. At the same time, statewide initiatives like the $12 million State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program () ensure that even the smallest governments gain access to training, certifications, and modern defenses.
By combining real-world monitoring, practical exercises, federal support, and workforce development, we are building a stronger cybersecurity posture for Montana. Protection isn’t just about technology - it’s about resilience, collaboration, and ensuring that every community, no matter how rural, has the tools and expertise to defend its digital future.
Industry Partnerships
The Montana Center for Cybersecurity & Rural Policy thrives through strong collaborations with leading technology organizations, including , , , and . These partnerships go beyond simple name recognition — they provide learners with the opportunity to engage directly with industry-standard tools, platforms, and professional practices. By connecting education with trusted leaders in the field, we ensure that students are not only exposed to cutting-edge technology, but also develop the practical skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Through these partnerships, learners gain valuable insights, stay aligned with evolving industry trends, and are better prepared to step into high-demand roles across the cybersecurity landscape.
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The SOC trains future Security Analysts while supporting Montana’s rural communities through real-time network traffic monitoring. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, preparing them to defend local and national cybersecurity infrastructure. The program’s academic component offers educational opportunities and training on state-of-the-art software, further enhancing their skills and readiness for the workforce.
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PISCES helps Montana’s local governments and schools improve cybersecurity by providing free web traffic monitoring. Through a partnership with UM’s Security Operations Center, students analyze packet headers to detect irregularities and threats—gaining valuable paid experience while contributing to statewide defense. Supported by DHS funding, PISCES offers services to counties, municipalities, school districts, and other special districts at no cost. This dual mission strengthens community security while building Montana’s future cybersecurity workforce.
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Montana has received $12 million in federal funding through the SLCGP to boost cybersecurity statewide, with a focus on resource-constrained small and rural governments. The program funds four critical areas: cybersecurity awareness training, professional development for IT staff and leaders, endpoint protection, and network monitoring. Through partnerships with trusted providers such as CyberMontana, KnowBe4, SANS Institute, CompTIA, ISC2, SentinelOne, and CIS, the SLCGP delivers certifications, training, and tools designed to meet the needs of local governments. By aligning with existing state contracts and legislative initiatives, the program maximizes impact, reduces costs, and ensures consistency across Montana.
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CIS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving cybersecurity readiness and response for both public and private organizations. It develops globally recognized best practices, including the CIS Critical Security Controls and CIS Benchmarks, which help organizations of all sizes strengthen defenses against evolving threats. CIS also supports communities through its Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), which provides intelligence sharing, incident response support, and collaboration opportunities for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
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Albert is a fully managed intrusion detection system offered by the Center for Internet Security to U.S. state and local governments, election entities, critical infrastructure, and public education. It provides around-the-clock monitoring of network traffic—including workstations, servers, and voter registration systems—and alerts organizations to malicious or anomalous activity. Backed by the CIS 24×7 Security Operations Center, Albert combines open-source technology with expert management to deliver affordable, reliable network monitoring and threat detection.
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CISA is the nation’s lead agency for safeguarding critical infrastructure against cyber and physical threats. In Montana, Region 8 staff serve as key partners to state and local governments, offering planning assistance, tailored cyber exercises, and direct technical support. CISA also provides no-cost cyber hygiene services such as vulnerability scans, web application testing, and phishing assessments that help organizations identify and reduce risks before they are exploited. By combining expert guidance with hands-on support, CISA strengthens Montana’s ability to defend against evolving cyber threats and build long-term resilience. For more information, contact Joe Frohlich, CISA Region 8 liaison, at joseph.frohlich@cisa.dhs.gov.
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Tabletop exercises give organizations the opportunity to test and refine their response plans in a safe, discussion-based environment. Participants work through hypothetical cyber or physical threat scenarios to identify gaps, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen coordination. These exercises are tailored to the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by CISA and provide a practical way for Montana organizations to prepare for real-world challenges, improve communication, and build resilience.