Organizations across diverse sectors depend on computing resources to maintain their competitive edge. The rise of data privacy regulations such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) has heightened the obligation for organizations to safeguard customer information, driving demand for cybersecurity professionals who can effectively protect critical data assets. Despite this need, many cybersecurity certificate and graduate programs emphasize theoretical concepts while offering limited opportunities for students to develop practical technical and interpersonal skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a persistent shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals capable of defending enterprise and critical infrastructure, a finding echoed by a May 2024 report from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), which points to a gap in expertise rather than just workforce numbers. Many educational programs focus on increasing the number of graduates rather than ensuring their competence. This study introduces a hybrid teaching model for adult learners, integrating onsite and online participants and prioritizing hands-on learning to equip students with the practical skills needed to make immediate, meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity workforce.

Keywords: Cloud Computing, virtualization, network function virtualization, zero trust architecture, huddle hours, security zone, security models, security frameworks, National Cyber League (NCL), capture the flag (CTF), cyber range, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).