BCR Cyber opens no-cost August cybersecurity training cohort for Maryland government workers

BCR Cyber will launch a no-cost, 5-week COMET training cohort on Aug. 31 for Maryland state and local government employees. The program, funded through a Maryland labor grant and coordinated with the state IT department, is designed to strengthen cybersecurity skills for current workers and build the state’s cyber talent pipeline.

Why it matters: - Maryland state and local government agencies face fast-changing cybersecurity threats, and the COMET cohort is designed to give public-sector workers practical training without tuition costs. - The program aims to improve protection of critical government systems while helping expand the state’s cybersecurity workforce. - The cohort is funded through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right Now grant and coordinated with the Maryland Department of Information Technology.

What happened: - BCR Cyber said it will host a no-cost, 5-week Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training cohort starting Aug. 31. - The training is open to Maryland state and local government employees. - Applications are due Aug. 24, and space is limited. - Applicants can apply through the COMET cohort page.

The details: - The COMET program is built around two tracks: Incumbent and Advanced Incumbent. - Incumbent Training combines BCR Cyber’s SOC Operations Analyst I and Fundamentals of AI in Cybersecurity courses. - Incumbent Training is a 5-week, 3-part course focused on cybersecurity fundamentals. - Successful participants earn an Industry Recognized Credential validating Security Operations Fundamentals, Cyber Range Simulation, and Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity. - The AI portion covers AI training methods, neural networks, generative AI, and AI for cybersecurity. - Incumbent Training runs live remotely from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. - To qualify for Incumbent Training, participants must be Maryland state or local government employees, be at least 18, have at least one year of IT and/or cybersecurity experience, and have manager approval for training during business hours. - Advanced Incumbent Training uses BCR Cyber’s Governance, Risk and Compliance – Applied Fundamentals course. - Advanced Incumbent Training is a 5-week, 2-part course covering Governance, Risk and Compliance and Cyber Range Practicum. - Successful participants earn an Industry Recognized Credential validating readiness for GRC support roles in state and local government. - Advanced Incumbent Training includes live remote instruction from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. - Part two includes live instruction from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. - To qualify for Advanced Incumbent Training, participants must be Maryland or local government employees, be at least 18, have completed COMET Incumbent Training or have at least two years of IT or cybersecurity experience, have manager approval, hold a current IT, cybersecurity, IT management, compliance, audit or related role, and show responsibility for systems, data or users.

Between the lines: - BCR Cyber is using the program to target workers already inside government, which can speed up deployment of new skills faster than recruiting entirely new hires. - The dual-track format suggests the program is meant to serve both newer cybersecurity staff and more experienced employees moving into governance and compliance roles. - The company said its model blends hands-on training with placement services, reinforcing a workforce-development focus rather than a purely academic one.

What's next: - BCR Cyber will begin the cohort Aug. 31 if enrollment fills before the Aug. 24 deadline. - Maryland employees who qualify can choose the track that matches their experience and job duties. - BCR Cyber continues to offer training and placement services through its broader cybersecurity workforce programs.

The bottom line: - Maryland government workers can access no-cost, role-specific cybersecurity training this fall, with a short application window and limited seats.