The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) has launched the a new cybersecurity initiative called the UNO Cyber Matrix program, designed to prepare students for the growing global challenge of data theft and cyberattacks. The program, housed at the Peter Kiewit Institute, will train cybersecurity students using real-world simulations and artificial intelligence tools to tackle evolving digital threats.
University of Nebraska Omaha Launches AI-Driven Cybersecurity Training Program
Program Director Matt Hale explained that the Cyber Matrix creates a hands-on environment where students are exposed to the same types of cyber threats occurring daily across industries. “The use of artificial intelligence is putting speed in the hands of cyber hackers,” Hale said. “What someone may have taken five or ten hours to do before, they can now do in minutes.”
The program responds to a critical workforce shortage. According to Hale, there are currently more than 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions across the United States. The UNO Cyber Matrix program aims to bridge that gap by producing graduates who are ready to work immediately on emerging threats. “We love your graduates, but we need them to hit the ground running on day one,” Hale noted, citing frequent feedback from employers.
Training for Real-World Cyber Challenges
The UNO Cyber Matrix program is funded through a $14 million grant from the Weitz Family Foundation, awarded to support innovation and excellence at UNO. Faculty members competed for grant funding by pitching community-impact projects, and the Cyber Matrix emerged as one of the leading proposals.
Chancellor Joanne Li emphasized the significance of private investment in education. “How do you invest in your community? It can exponentially impact many students and families and give back to the community,” she said.
The first cohort of seven students will begin training this month, focusing on identifying, tracking, and neutralizing cyber threats. Their coursework includes using AI-driven analysis to defend against simulated attacks, monitoring secure data environments, and working with chatbot-based tutors that mimic real faculty interactions.
Graduate student Zaid Kakish described the experience as both challenging and rewarding. “There’s that exciting area where attackers come up with new techniques, and you need to defend against them,” he said. “A lot of learning comes from being out in the real world when you’re working in cyber.”
Building a Cyber-Ready Workforce for Business and Defense
Beyond training students, the UNO Cyber Matrix program provides direct benefits to local businesses. Small companies can now hire trained students to secure their systems, generating new revenue streams for the university and offering students practical experience.
Omaha entrepreneur Michael Newcomb, founder of Sera Digital, has already hired several UNO graduates. “What we’re doing is new. We’re solving problems that are new,” Newcomb said. His company, which funds and supports emerging tech startups, focuses on data protection and cybersecurity for small enterprises.
Newcomb emphasized how dependent modern life has become on digital systems. “Most of our lives are digital. Currency is digital, credit cards are digital — everything is fragile, and attackers are getting more advanced,” he explained. His team is now developing cybersecurity monitoring systems in partnership with the Department of Defense, using AI to detect and neutralize threats before they escalate.
“The big challenge,” Newcomb added, “is that we have to be better than the hackers.”
With cyberattacks becoming faster and more sophisticated, programs like the UNO Cyber Matrix program are positioned to play a vital role in training the next generation of defenders. By combining artificial intelligence, real-world experience, and academic expertise, the university aims to strengthen national and global cybersecurity readiness — one student at a time.
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