BCR Cyber opens May cybersecurity training cohort for Maryland government workers

By AI, Created 10:15 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – BCR Cyber will launch a free cybersecurity training cohort for Maryland state and local government employees on May 18, funded by a Maryland Department of Labor EARN grant. The program runs through June 23 and is designed to build skills from IT fundamentals to GRC certification for workers supporting public-sector systems.

Why it matters: - Maryland state and local government employees can get free cybersecurity training tied to public-sector job needs. - The program is designed to strengthen workforce readiness in areas that affect security, compliance, and day-to-day operations. - The training could help employees move into or advance in cyber, audit, compliance, and related roles.

What happened: - BCR Cyber announced a Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training, or COMET, cohort beginning May 18 and running through June 23. - The program is funded through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right Now, or EARN, grant. - The cohort is open to Maryland state and local government employees. - Applications are due May 6. - More information is available at the application page and BCR Cyber’s website.

The details: - COMET has two tracks for public-sector workers: Incumbent and Advanced Incumbent. - Incumbent Training is a 5-week, 3-part course. - Incumbent Training covers Security Operations Fundamentals, Cyber Range Simulation and Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity. - The AI module introduces core concepts of AI and machine learning in the context of security operations centers. - Incumbent Training includes live remote instruction from 1 to 3 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday. - Incumbent applicants must be Maryland or local government employees, be at least 18, have at least one year of IT and/or cybersecurity experience and have manager approval for training during business hours. - Advanced Incumbent Training is a 5-week, 2-part course. - Advanced Incumbent Training focuses on Governance, Risk and Compliance and Cyber Range Practicum. - Successful participants earn a certificate validating readiness for GRC support roles in state and local government. - Advanced Incumbent Training includes live remote instruction from 3 to 5 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday. - Advanced applicants must be Maryland or local government employees, be at least 18, have completed COMET Incumbent Training or have at least two years of IT or cyber experience and have manager approval for training during business hours. - Advanced applicants also must work in IT, cybersecurity, IT management, compliance, audit or a related function and have responsibility for systems, data or users. - BCR Cyber says the program will build skills from IT fundamentals to advanced Governance, Risk and Compliance Applied Fundamentals certification training.

Between the lines: - The structure suggests BCR Cyber is tailoring training to both entry-level public employees and workers already in operational or oversight roles. - The split schedule may let different groups train without overlapping work hours as much. - The GRC focus points to demand in compliance-heavy government environments, where cyber work often intersects with policy and oversight. - BCR Cyber also says it has trained thousands of individuals and placed over 83% into employment. - BCR Cyber was established in 2017 and was formerly known as Baltimore Cyber Range. - The company says the BCR Cyber Range is the first facility in the world dedicated specifically to cybersecurity workforce development. - The range’s hands-on training covers cyber threat detection, compromise mitigation and system remediation.

What’s next: - Maryland government employees interested in the program need to apply before the May 6 deadline. - Selected participants will attend live remote instruction during the May 18 to June 23 cohort window. - The company expects the training to prepare participants for real-world cyber challenges in public-sector roles.

The bottom line: - BCR Cyber is using state-backed funding to expand practical cybersecurity training for Maryland’s public workforce, with a clear path from foundational instruction to GRC-focused certification.