Serious About Cybersecurity in Eastern Idaho

Courtesy of Idaho State University

Eastern Idaho is a hidden gem for cybersecurity expertise. The region is supported by four campuses that offer cybersecurity-related degrees, from associate programs to Ph.D.s. 

It is also home to one of the nation’s leading federally funded research centers focused on critical infrastructure resilience. While the region has long been a critical place for educating the cybersecurity workforce, businesses also see the value in investing in the area. 

The Eastern Idaho Cybersecurity Alliance is bringing together public and private organizations to share resources with a focus on education, research and industry partnerships. By strengthening partnerships and increasing collaboration, the region aims to increase innovation and create a greater impact for everyone involved. 

Guardian of the Grid 

Sean McBride, director of the Informatics Research Institute at Idaho State University, oversees the coordination of cybersecurity curricula at the university. He also directs the students who are committed to work for the federal government when they finish their degrees from the school’s graduate program in cybersecurity. 

Idaho State University was one of the first five schools in the country that the National Security Agency designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in cybersecurity. That designation was made in 1998. 

McBride notes that the region’s smart grid cybersecurity initiatives leverage a specialized focus on securing physical and industrial control systems – a field in which Eastern Idaho possesses deep, long-standing expertise. 

At Idaho State, students gain hands-on experience in labs that mirror real-world critical infrastructure, ranging from smart grids to nuclear technologies. 

“We’re teaching students how these systems physically work, how adversaries might gain access to them, what they could do once inside and how the systems can be engineered so serious physical consequences – such as power outages or failures – don’t occur,” McBride says. 

Industry Meets Education 

McBride is a member and former chair of the Eastern Idaho Cybersecurity Alliance, a regional initiative he describes as a way to unite stakeholders around a shared interest in cybersecurity. 

The alliance brings together business, government and higher education leaders to drive regional cybersecurity growth. 

Members include local colleges and universities alongside the Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI) – the region’s premier economic development organization – the Department of Justice/FBI and Idaho National Laboratory, which leads federal research in cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience. Industry partners include technology firms Idaho-based Melaleuca, MOATiT and Curtiss-Wright as well as government contractors like Edgewater Federal Solutions. 

Amanda Hope Films and Photo

Fiber, Power and Protection 

Ali Khan, founder and CEO of Pocatello-based MOATiT, says the Eastern Idaho Cybersecurity Alliance gives private-sector companies a meaningful role in shaping how cybersecurity resources and support are delivered across the region. He became involved after conversations with leaders at REDI. 

“They had universities, schools and organizations involved, but they wanted people from industry,” Khan says. “I was happy to join because it gave us a chance to learn what the region needed and then offer our help and support.” 

Through the alliance, Khan said MOATiT works with REDI and other partners to support cybersecurity education and provide direct assistance to businesses facing cyber threats. Those efforts include the development of cyber-idaho.org – a landing page for regional information – and a free cybersecurity hotline that allows businesses, cities and organizations across Idaho to get immediate guidance during active or potential cyber incidents. 

Khan emphasizes that rapid response is critical as ransomware and other attacks increasingly target entire systems and infrastructure. 

Beyond cybersecurity, Khan highlighted Eastern Idaho as a prime location for business expansion, but especially for firms requiring secure digital infrastructure. He noted that the region’s high-speed fiber lines, affordable energy and natural cooling provide a significant cost advantage for data centers. 

By integrating these logistical benefits with a collaborative ecosystem of education and research, Khan believes Eastern Idaho is uniquely positioned to support the long-term growth of AI and tech-driven industries.