BCR Cyber Opens Applications for August COMET Cybersecurity Training Cohort for Maryland Government Employees
BCR Cyber has announced a new no-cost, five-week Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training (COMET) cohort beginning August 31, providing Maryland state and local government employees with hands-on cybersecurity training designed to strengthen operational skills and support workforce development.
“Cybersecurity threats facing state and local governments continue to change at a rapid pace,” said Michael Spector, President and CEO, BCR Cyber. “Our COMET program gives Maryland government employees practical, experiential no-cost training that strengthens their ability to protect critical government systems while also helping build a stronger cybersecurity workforce statewide.”
The COMET program is delivered by BCR Cyber in partnership with the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and funded through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant. It offers two training tracks—Incumbent and Advanced Incumbent—allowing participants to choose a path aligned with their experience level and career objectives.
The Incumbent Training track combines BCR Cyber’s SOC Operations Analyst I (SOCOA I) and Fundamentals of AI in Cybersecurity (FAIC) into a five-week, three-part program focused on establishing core cybersecurity skills. Participants who successfully complete the program earn an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) validating competencies in Security Operations Fundamentals, Cyber Range Simulation, and Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cybersecurity. The curriculum introduces topics including AI training methodologies, neural networks, generative AI, and cybersecurity applications of AI. Live remote instruction is conducted Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To be eligible for the Incumbent Training track, applicants must be State of Maryland or Maryland local government employees, at least 18 years old, possess a minimum of one year of IT and/or cybersecurity experience, and receive manager approval to attend training during business hours.
The Advanced Incumbent Training track features BCR Cyber’s Governance, Risk and Compliance – Applied Fundamentals (GRC-AF), a five-week, two-part program centered on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and a Cyber Range Practicum. Graduates receive an Industry Recognized Credential validating readiness for GRC support roles within state and local government organizations. The program includes live remote instruction Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., while the second phase consists of full-day instruction from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Applicants for the Advanced Incumbent track must be Maryland state or local government employees, at least 18 years of age, and either have completed the COMET Incumbent Training or possess at least two years of IT or cybersecurity experience. Additional requirements include manager approval for training during work hours, a current position in IT, cybersecurity, IT management, compliance, audit, or a related field, and demonstrated responsibility for systems, data, or users, such as administrative, management, or oversight duties.
Applications for the COMET program are available at https://bcrcyber.com/comet/cohort. The application deadline is August 24, and enrollment is limited.
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About BCR Cyber
Established in 2017, BCR Cyber (formerly Baltimore Cyber Range) is dedicated to delivering exceptional training solutions to both government and commercial clients. BCR Cyber has trained thousands of individuals and successfully placed over 83 percent into employment. The BCR Cyber Range is the first such facility in the world specifically dedicated to workforce development in the cybersecurity sector. BCR Cyber provides trainees with the most advanced cybersecurity strategies and techniques in an environment that simulates real threats in real-time. The range’s hands-on training encompasses cyber threat detection, compromise mitigation, and system remediation, and is complemented by placement services. For more information visit www.bcrcyber.com.
