West Virginia University hosted the first-ever Mountain State Cyber Summit in Morgantown on Wednesday, gathering more than 600 leaders from industry, academia, and government to discuss cybersecurity challenges and opportunities in the United States. During the event, the university officially launched Cyber WVU, a new initiative designed to advance cybersecurity research, workforce training, and innovation across the region.
The Mountain State Cyber Summit marks a key milestone for the state’s growing cyber ecosystem, bringing together professionals from multiple disciplines to address national and local security concerns. WVU leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration between higher education, business, and community organizations to strengthen digital resilience across West Virginia and beyond.
Cyber WVU: Building the Future of Cybersecurity Education
Cyber WVU aims to unify expertise from various departments across the university to solve complex challenges in cybersecurity, economics, and workforce development. Through this program, students will gain opportunities to engage in hands-on research, connect with industry professionals, and prepare for cyber-related careers after graduation.
Bill Walker, director of National Security and Cyberspace Programs at WVU and the newly appointed director of Cyber WVU, said the initiative is about more than just technology. “Cyber and the cyber community is not just about the technical pieces of it,” Walker said. “This is about the water that you drink every day, this is about turning on the light switch, and it actually works.”
He added that cybersecurity affects every part of modern life and that the state must stay proactive in protecting vital infrastructure.
New Cyber-Resilience Resource Center
As part of its ongoing cybersecurity efforts, WVU announced the creation of the Cyber-Resilience Resource Center, supported by a $1.5 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The new center will provide resources and technical guidance to local communities, towns, and small businesses across the Mountain State.
The center’s goal is to improve digital security infrastructure, help organizations identify and mitigate cyber threats, and offer WVU students hands-on learning opportunities. through this Mountain State Cyber Summit. By allowing students to work directly with community partners, the university aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world cybersecurity practice.
University officials said, through this Mountain State Cyber Summit, the center will also serve as a testing ground for new technologies that could enhance resilience in both public and private sectors.
Strengthening Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
WVU President Michael Benson highlighted the importance of holding cybersecurity events like the Mountain State Cyber Summit to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing. “It behooves all of us to stay as current as possible, but also be a leader in bringing people together,” Benson said. “Events like this help us share best practices, form partnerships, and shape a safer digital future for everyone.”
The Mountain State Cyber Summit featured panel discussions, expert sessions, and networking opportunities that focused on building stronger cyber defenses and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Leaders discussed emerging threats, the role of artificial intelligence in security, and strategies for increasing cyber awareness across communities.
Organizers said the strong turnout reflected growing recognition of cybersecurity as a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between universities, government agencies, and the private sector.
A Step Forward for West Virginia’s Cyber Preparedness
The success of the inaugural Mountain State Cyber Summit and the launch of Cyber WVU signal West Virginia’s commitment to becoming a leader in cybersecurity research and education. With the new Cyber-Resilience Resource Center and continued partnerships across sectors, WVU hopes to create a long-term framework for innovation, workforce growth, and digital protection.
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, WVU’s initiatives aim to ensure that students, businesses, and local governments across the Mountain State are equipped to respond to threats and secure essential systems that impact everyday life.
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