College Board Joins Indiana to Launch First-of-Its-Kind Cybersecurity Education Initiative Connecting Students to College, Careers, and Military Service

College Board

• May 14, 2026

NEW YORK - College Board is partnering with the Indiana Department of Education and a cross-sector coalition of state, education, and industry leaders to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative expanding access to high-quality cybersecurity education across Indiana high schools.

"This first-of-its-kind partnership is yet another example of how Indiana identifies challenges and immediately gets to work to solve those challenges," said Governor Mike Braun. "Through this collaboration, Indiana's cybersecurity sector will be able to meet its talent needs with highly-skilled homegrown professionals, and our students will be better prepared than ever before to excel in these high-wage, high-demand careers that will shape the future of our state and nation." 

Through this initiative, Indiana is becoming the first state to develop a fully aligned cybersecurity pathway linking K-12 schools, two- and four-year colleges, employers, and the Indiana National Guard. The partnership positions Indiana as a national model for preparing students with the skills needed to meet growing cybersecurity workforce demands.

"As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the prevalence and sophistication of cyber attacks is also increasing at an alarming rate, thus impacting our schools, our communities, and even our national security" said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. "Central to our mission in K-12 is helping our students to find their unique purpose, to thrive in life and in their career, and to tackle the greatest challenges of our time. By urgently expanding cybersecurity pathways, we can create stronger, more prepared citizens and better protect our state and homeland." 

The statewide initiative brings together the Indiana Department of Education, College Board, Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Indiana Cyber Network, Indiana National Guard, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana Chamber of Commerce Defense Council, Eli Lilly and Company, and additional partners who will continue to join the effort.

The initiative is expanding access to AP Cybersecurity courses and PLTW Cybersecurity curriculum in high schools across Indiana, creating stronger pathways to college and careers. These courses will equip students with foundational knowledge to understand and protect digital systems while opening doors to postsecondary opportunities. Students can get practical experience in the classroom, earn college credit, participate in work-based learning, and gain industry-recognized credentials.

Indiana faces a critical need for cybersecurity talent, with more than 20,000 open roles in the state's Cybersecurity Hub. Currently, approximately 69 public high schools offer cybersecurity courses, reaching about 562 students. Over the next three years, the initiative aims to expand to 200 high schools and serve approximately 4,000 students.

During that same period, the partnership aims to significantly increase the number of students pursuing cybersecurity degrees, joining the Indiana National Guard in cybersecurity roles, and securing high-demand jobs with Indiana employers.

"Our country desperately needs cybersecurity talent, and our students are hungry for learning that gives them purpose and a path to their future," said College Board CEO David Coleman. "Indiana is setting the pace for other states to follow, engaging young people in defending our country and securing great jobs."

This cross-sector partnership will focus on:

• Increasing access to cybersecurity coursework and digital literacy opportunities for K-12 students;
• Expanding hands-on learning experiences, including career exploration and work-based learning opportunities;
• Strengthening collaboration between schools, higher education, and industry partners; and
• Supporting educators with professional development aligned to cybersecurity career pathways.

K-12 schools and employers interested in participating in or supporting expanded cybersecurity opportunities for Indiana students can learn more by contacting [email protected]

Partner Perspective

"Over the past two years, this collaborative effort has focused on addressing persistent barriers in cybersecurity education-not only in Indiana, but nationally. Indiana is uniquely positioned to lead in this space and demonstrate what a truly collaborative educational ecosystem can look like."
-David Dugan, Co-Founder, Indiana Cyber Network

"Indiana has set a bold vision for expanding cybersecurity education, and PLTW is proud to help make that vision real for students. By pairing 180-day curriculum with grant-funded educator support, more students can access meaningful, career-connected learning experiences throughout Indiana."
-Dr. David L. Dimmett, President and CEO, Project Lead The Way

"Our organization is proud to support this landmark initiative, as we recognize that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical niche, but a national security imperative. By building this first-of-its-kind pathway, we are ensuring Indiana students are not only consumers of technology but its frontline defenders. This collaboration creates a talent pipeline that empowers young Hoosiers to meet America's most urgent security needs while establishing Indiana as a national model for cybersecurity readiness."
-Major General Larry Muennich, Indiana National Guard

"Meeting Indiana's growing demand for cybersecurity talent requires deep collaboration across education, industry, and government. Ivy Tech is proud to be a part of these efforts to help students move seamlessly from the classroom into high-value careers that will power Indiana's future workforce."
-Marty Pollio, President, Ivy Tech Community College

"The Indiana Chamber and our Institute for Workforce Excellence are proud to partner with the College Board, PLTW, and the Indiana Department of Education to enhance the state's workforce. The defense and aerospace sectors remain critical components of Indiana's economy and broader contribution to the nation, with cybersecurity playing an ever-increasing role. This effort will help us bring employers in the Indiana Chamber's Defense Council together with education stakeholders to help Hoosier students thrive while keeping our country safe."
-Vanessa Green Sinders, President and CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

About College Board

College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org.

Contact: [email protected]