Key Takeaways
- BCR Cyber is launching a free, five‑week COMET cohort for Maryland state and local government employees starting August 31, 2025.
- The program offers two tracks: Incumbent (SOCOA I + Fundamentals of AI in Cybersecurity) and Advanced Incumbent (GRC‑AF + Cyber Range Practicum).
- Successful participants earn an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) validating specific cybersecurity competencies.
- Incumbent track requires ≥1 year IT/cyber experience; Advanced track requires either completion of the Incumbent track or ≥2 years experience plus a relevant job role.
- Applications close August 24, 2025 via https://bcrcyber.com/comet/cohort, with limited enrollment.
Program Purpose and Partnership
BCR Cyber has announced a new no‑cost, five‑week Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training (COMET) cohort that will begin on August 31, 2025, exclusively for employees of Maryland state and local governments. The initiative is designed to address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape by providing hands‑on, experiential training that bolsters participants’ ability to protect critical government systems while simultaneously contributing to a stronger statewide cybersecurity workforce. Michael Spector, President and CEO of BCR Cyber, emphasized that the program delivers practical, real‑world skills without any cost to attendees. The COMET program is delivered in partnership with the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and receives financial support through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant, underscoring a collaborative effort between industry, state agencies, and workforce development funds.
Incumbent Training Track Curriculum and Credential
The Incumbent Training track combines BCR Cyber’s SOC Operations Analyst I (SOCOA I) course with the Fundamentals of AI in Cybersecurity (FAIC) module into a cohesive five‑week, three‑part program aimed at establishing core cybersecurity competencies. Participants who successfully complete the track receive an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) that validates proficiency in Security Operations Fundamentals, Cyber Range Simulation, and the Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as applied to cybersecurity. The curriculum introduces learners to AI training methodologies, neural network architectures, generative AI techniques, and specific cybersecurity use‑cases for AI‑driven threat detection and response. Instruction is delivered live via remote classrooms Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., allowing attendees to engage with instructors and peers while maintaining their regular work responsibilities. The blended approach of theoretical instruction and hands‑on cyber‑range exercises ensures that graduates can immediately apply what they have learned to real‑world security operations centers.
Advanced Incumbent Training Track Curriculum and Credential
The Advanced Incumbent track centers on BCR Cyber’s Governance, Risk and Compliance – Applied Fundamentals (GRC‑AF) course paired with a Cyber Range Practicum, forming a five‑week, two‑part program that prepares participants for GRC support roles within state and local government organizations. Graduates earn an Industry Recognized Credential that certifies readiness to perform governance, risk assessment, compliance monitoring, and related duties in a public‑sector environment. The first phase consists of live remote instruction Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., covering GRC frameworks, policy development, risk‑management methodologies, and audit fundamentals. The second phase shifts to full‑day, in‑person (or virtual) sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., during which learners engage in intensive cyber‑range scenarios that simulate real‑world attacks, requiring them to apply GRC principles to incident response, mitigation, and reporting. This structure ensures that participants not only understand theoretical GRC concepts but also gain practical experience in operationalizing those controls within a dynamic threat landscape.
Eligibility Requirements, Manager Approval, and Application Timeline
To participate in the Incumbent Training track, applicants must be current employees of the State of Maryland or a Maryland local government entity, be at least 18 years old, possess a minimum of one year of IT and/or cybersecurity experience, and obtain supervisor approval to attend the training during regular business hours. The Advanced Incumbent track requires either successful completion of the COMET Incumbent Training or at least two years of IT or cybersecurity experience, in addition to the age and employment criteria. Candidates for the advanced track must also hold a current position in IT, cybersecurity, IT management, compliance, audit, or a closely related field and demonstrate responsibility for systems, data, or users—such as administrative, managerial, or oversight duties. Manager endorsement is mandatory for both tracks to ensure that attendance does not interfere with essential job functions. Interested individuals can submit their applications via the dedicated portal at https://bcrcyber.com/comet/cohort, with a firm deadline of August 24, 2025; enrollment is limited, so early submission is encouraged.
About BCR Cyber and Its Training Reputation
BCR Cyber, founded in 2017 as the Baltimore Cyber Range, specializes in delivering high‑impact cybersecurity training to both government and commercial clients. To date, the organization has trained thousands of individuals and achieved an impressive placement rate of over 83 percent into employment after program completion. The BCR Cyber Range holds the distinction of being the world’s first facility dedicated exclusively to workforce development in the cybersecurity sector, offering a live‑fire environment that replicates real‑time threats and attacks. Trainees benefit from hands‑on instruction in threat detection, compromise mitigation, and system remediation, complemented by career‑placement services that help translate skills into jobs. For additional information about the company’s offerings, visit www.bcrcyber.com.