Fayetteville Technical Community College President Dr. Mark Sorrells met with the State Board of Community Colleges to discuss the work of the Carolina Cyber Network and CCN’s comprehensive cybersecurity workforce strategy for North Carolina.
Sorrells, a co-founder and leader of CCN which was established in 2020 by Fayetteville Tech and Montreat College, made a presentation about CCN on April 20 during the issues luncheon portion of the State Board’s monthly meeting
Sorrells told the State Board there are estimated to be more than 23,400 cybersecurity job openings in North Carolina currently and more than 755,000 cybersecurity job openings nationwide.
Since its founding, CCN’s membership has grown to include 11 community colleges and three four-year institutions, with an anticipated 3-4 additional colleges joining this year. CCN has received funding from the General Assembly to support its work.
Sorrells explained that CCN members work together to ensure their students meet cybersecurity workforce needs in a variety of economic sectors, including agriculture, biotechnology, critical infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and military transition.
Since the program’s start, Sorrells said, member schools in CCN have collectively reported a 60-percent increase in enrollment in cybersecurity credit programs and a 197-percent increase in total graduates. Among the 14 current member colleges, nine have reported adding or updating their cybersecurity programs. Four additional colleges are in the application and review process.
Sorrells shared that CCN has developed a dynamic and powerful public-private partnership with significant buy-in from industry and the highest levels of U.S. and State government.
“The Carolina Cyber Network really has a dual focus,” said FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells. “One focus is to address and develop the cybersecurity workforce that is needed by our public and private agencies across the state. The other is to protect our national interests. Our nation is under attack from nefarious actors that are looking to steal assets and undermine our national security. By collaboratively uniting around this, we can make a difference.”
CCN’s leaders are Sorrells, Lawrence Young, Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, and David Thompson, President and CEO of RBX Solutions.
To learn more about CCN, visit
Swine Production students recently toured a Prestage sow farm, gaining hands-on insight into pig care. They observed piglets being born, explored the stages of growth and discussed the journey from farm to market. Photo provided by SCC.In Sampson Com
From left to right: Santa (Rev. Mike Garrett) pictured with newborn and cuddle recipient Declan Nault, his mother Daphne Hault, father Adam Nault and Marcia Garrett. Photo provided by Marcia Garrett.The importance of physical touch for newborns canno
The year 2024 was the year of growth and new deals throughout the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s seven county coverage area. From incoming businesses to expanding commercial properties and more, the greater Fayetteville area can expect addit
