Purpose

Provide targeted funding to Metropolitan State University to develop and offer cyber range capabilities. The goal is to help enrolled students and state/local government agencies build advanced cybersecurity expertise to counter and thwart a wide range of cyberattacks.

Main Provisions

• Funding: A one-time appropriation of 600,000 dollars in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, for transfer to Metropolitan State University.
• Use of funds: To contract with a cyber range vendor to deliver cyber range services.
• Cyber range definition: An isolated, interactive, and controlled virtual environment for training individuals and teams in cybersecurity testing, cybersecurity technologies, and simulating sophisticated cyberattacks and defenses.
• Access: The cyber range services will be made available to enrolled students and to state and local government agencies.
• Timeframe: This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until June 30, 2028.
• Purpose of outcome: To develop and prepare advanced cybersecurity expertise enabling participants to effectively counter and thwart a wide spectrum of cyberattacks.

Funding and Administration

• Source and flow: General Fund money allocated to the Board of Trustees to transfer to Metropolitan State University.
• Implementing entity: Metropolitan State University will contract with a cyber range vendor to provide the services.

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• New funding stream: Establishes a one-time appropriation specifically for cyber range services at Metropolitan State University.
• No ongoing state commitment: This is not a continuing program or recurring funding; it is limited to the 2026 fiscal year with a sunset in 2028.
• Scope of law: Adds an appropriation rather than broad changes to existing higher education or cybersecurity statutes.

Impact Summary

• Builds capacity for hands-on cybersecurity training using a cyber range.
• Involves collaboration between Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and Metropolitan State University.
• Expands access to cybersecurity training for students and public sector agencies.

Relevant Terms cyber range; cyber range services; Metropolitan State University; cyber range vendor; cybersecurity; isolated interactive and controlled virtual environment; training individuals and teams; cybersecurity testing; simulating sophisticated cyberattacks and defenses; enrolled students; state and local government agencies; general fund; transfer to Metropolitan State University; one-time appropriation; fiscal year 2026; June 30, 2028.