Cal State San Bernardino will establish a cybersecurity program in the Palm Desert Campus as part of a $749,000 National Science Foundation Grant to increase the level of diversity among students enrolled in cybersecurity programs and allow more members of underrepresented communities to engage in the field. “The addition of a state-of-the-art cybersecurity program will greatly enhance our Palm Desert Campus and give our students much needed experience and opportunities that will help them after graduation as they start their careers,” said President Morales, who approved the program. “We believe the cybersecurity program will serve as an economic boost to the Coachella Valley.” The CSUSB grant is part of three-year $4.3 million grant for the Community College Cyber Pilot Program to recruit and mentor 30 students from five community colleges to ultimately work in cybersecurity in federal agencies and departments, said Tony Coulson, a professor of information and decision sciences and director of the CSUSB Cybersecurity Center. Under CSUSB’s part of the grant, the Cybersecurity Center will be mentoring students, specifically veterans and adults who need “retooling” to meet the needs of cybersecurity and government service, Coulson said.  “Cybersecurity is a critical national concern in our region. This program will help improve the pipeline of critically needed cyber skills coming from the Coachella Valley,” Coulson said. “CSUSB is helping provide national leadership in these initiatives.” The new cybersecurity program will be operated out of the new Palm Desert Digital iHub.