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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lionfish Cyber Security and Ball State University Pioneer Revolutionary Statewide Program to Protect Indiana's Critical Infrastructure
Groundbreaking "By, With, and Through" Partnership Transforms Students into Cyber Guardians, Successfully Completes First Infrastructure Assessment at Gaston Water Works
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – July 8, 2025 – Lionfish Cyber Security, a mission-driven, disabled veteran-owned cybersecurity firm, today announced the successful completion of its first critical infrastructure security assessment in partnership with Ball State University. The assessment—conducted by Ball State students at Gaston Water Works public water facility—marks the official launch of a groundbreaking statewide initiative to protect Indiana's essential services through university-led cybersecurity programs.
The groundbreaking program, inspired by U.S. Army Green Beret methodology, deploys trained university students as "Cyber Guardians" to assess and strengthen cybersecurity defenses at water treatment facilities, power grids, and local government systems across Indiana. Eight undergraduate and graduate students from Ball State University's Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) conducted the comprehensive security evaluation under the mentorship of cybersecurity professionals.
Addressing Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
"Water treatment facilities are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, with incidents reported across the nation in recent years," said Dr. David Hua, Associate Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University. "This partnership represents a proactive approach to infrastructure protection that benefits everyone involved—students gain invaluable real-world experience, facilities receive professional-grade security assessments, and Indiana's critical infrastructure becomes more resilient."
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Increasing Cyber Threats
Water treatment facilities face growing cybersecurity risks nationwide
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Proactive Protection
Partnership provides preventative security measures before attacks occur
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Multi-Benefit Approach
Students gain experience, facilities receive assessments, infrastructure becomes more secure
Transforming Education into Action
The initiative addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: the escalating cyber threats to essential infrastructure and the severe cybersecurity workforce shortage. By partnering with universities across Indiana, Lionfish Cyber Security is creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled defenders who protect infrastructure in their own communities.
"At Lionfish, our mission is to organize, train, equip, and deploy—in partnership with local universities and colleges—a student-led cyber force that delivers real, measurable impact across Indiana," said Jeremy Miller, CEO of Lionfish Cyber Security and former U.S. Army Green Beret. "This approach solves multiple challenges at once: higher education institutions gain meaningful, hands-on training opportunities; students develop the practical skills employers demand; and our critical infrastructure becomes more resilient against the escalating threat of cyberattacks. Most importantly, Indiana advances the intent of newly enacted laws like SB 472 and SB 459—helping protect the families, businesses, and communities we're all committed to defending."
Dual Challenge Solution
  • Addresses growing cyber threats to essential infrastructure
  • Helps close the severe cybersecurity workforce shortage
  • Creates sustainable pipeline of skilled defenders
  • Protects local communities with local talent
  • Advances intent of new Indiana cybersecurity laws
The "By, With, and Through" Philosophy
With the national cybersecurity workforce gap now exceeding 450,000 unfilled positions, we simply don't have enough people to protect what matters most. But this 'by, with, and through' methodology works. It mobilizes local talent at scale, embeds them where they're needed most, and builds lasting capability from the inside out.
This is more than workforce development. It's a statewide strategy for cyber resilience—one that creates a pipeline of skilled professionals who understand both the technical and mission-critical realities of protecting our way of life. That's what it means to defend by, with, and through the next generation."
The program is grounded in the proven "By, With, and Through" philosophy:
BY
Partnering with universities to identify, train, and mentor the next generation of cyber defenders
WITH
Educational institutions to co-create immersive, real-world cybersecurity training environments
THROUGH
Student Cyber Guardians who actively deploy their skills to protect local governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure
Ball State University Sets the Standard
Ball State University, with its 20,400 students and robust cybersecurity programs, serves as the flagship institution for this statewide initiative. The university's Applied Cybersecurity program, Cadet Academy of Digital Security & Education (CADSE), and Digital Corps provide the foundation for producing battle-ready cyber defenders.
"The cybersecurity skills gap is real, and traditional classroom learning alone isn't sufficient," noted Joel Wiredu, Assistant Lecturer for CIT at CICS. "By working in live environments with actual consequences, students develop the confidence and practical skills that employers desperately need."
Applied Cybersecurity Program
Comprehensive curriculum focused on practical cybersecurity skills and knowledge
Cadet Academy of Digital Security & Education (CADSE)
Specialized training program preparing students for cybersecurity challenges
Digital Corps
Student organization providing hands-on experience in digital security projects
Statewide Expansion and Call to Action
Following the successful Gaston Water Works assessment, Lionfish Cyber Security is actively seeking partnerships with additional Indiana universities to expand the Cyber Guardian program statewide. The initiative aims to create a distributed defense network where every university becomes a training ground for cybersecurity professionals who protect critical infrastructure in their own regions.
"This is just the beginning," emphasized Dr. Firoz Khan, Assistant Professor at CICS. "We envision a statewide network where academic institutions, cybersecurity firms, and government agencies work together to continuously strengthen Indiana's infrastructure resilience while developing our future workforce."
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Phase 1: Pilot Program
Successful completion of Gaston Water Works assessment by Ball State students
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Phase 2: University Expansion
Partnerships with additional Indiana universities to create regional cyber defense hubs
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Phase 3: Statewide Network
Comprehensive coverage of critical infrastructure across Indiana through university partnerships
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Phase 4: National Model
Expansion of successful program framework to other states facing similar challenges
Call for Participation
Lionfish is calling on universities, local governments, and critical infrastructure operators across Indiana to join this transformative initiative. With CISA reports showing increasing cyber incidents affecting water utilities and other essential services, the need for locally trained cyber defenders has never been more urgent. We want to give special thanks to:
Gaston Water Works, Ray Gillespie for your vision to allow the students to learn and help your facility.
The team at Ball State Dr. David Hua, Dr. Firoz Khan and Mr. Joel Wiredu
The Team at Lionfish Cyber Security Dr. Diane Janosek, Dr. Shadi Jawhar, Ryan Bardes, Craig Kimble
All of this would not be possible without your help.
20,400
Ball State Students
Potential cyber defenders in training at the flagship university
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Student Participants
Undergraduate and graduate students who conducted the first assessment
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Completed Assessment
First successful critical infrastructure security evaluation at Gaston Water Works
About Ball State University's Center for Information and Communication Sciences
The Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) at Ball State University is a leading academic center focused on preparing students for careers in information technology, cybersecurity, and related fields. Through innovative programs and industry partnerships, CICS bridges the gap between academic learning and professional practice, producing graduates ready to address complex technological challenges. About Lionfish Cyber Security
CICS Program Highlights
  • Leading academic center for information technology and cybersecurity
  • Innovative programs designed with industry input
  • Strong partnerships with technology companies
  • Bridges gap between academic theory and professional practice
  • Produces graduates ready for complex technological challenges
About Lionfish Cyber Security
Lionfish Cyber Security is a mission-driven, disabled veteran-owned company that brings a unique approach to cybersecurity by adopting the Green Beret philosophy of "By, With, and Through." The company focuses on empowering communities to defend themselves through education, strategic partnerships, and practical application. By leveraging Their Cyber Tackle Box to manage the process of Compliance assessment and remediation proprietary methodologies and military-inspired strategies, Lionfish aims to close the cybersecurity skills gap while ensuring a safer and more secure digital future for all.
Veteran-Owned
Founded by former U.S. Army Green Beret bringing military expertise to cybersecurity challenges
Mission-Driven
Focused on protecting critical infrastructure and empowering communities through education
Cyber Tackle Box
Proprietary methodology for managing compliance assessment and remediation processes
Contact Information
Media Contact: Matt Pitchford Lionfish Cyber Security 1-877-732-6772 ext. 6 Matt@lionfishcybersecurity.com www.lionfishcybersecurity.com
Phone
1-877-732-6772 ext. 6
Website
www.lionfishcybersecurity.com