In December 2017, the University of Cincinnati partnered with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Adjutant General's Department to explore and demonstrate the use of an Ohio Cyber Range.
Phase II of the Ohio Cyber Range leveraged the University of Cincinnati's multi-year experience running a virtual cloud environment and the institution's distinct comprehensive approach to Cybersecurity in which multiple disciplines collaborate on programs, including two NSA Centers of Excellence in Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense, and ABET-accredited undergraduate program in Cybersecurity, as well as several graduate programs.
Phase III began in November 2019. This phase continues on the successes of Phase II and resulted in standing up the Ohio Cyber Range Institute at the University of Cincinnati, continuing the Core Service Sites at UC and UA, and designating multiple OCRI-Regional Programming Centers across the state.
Exploring informal and formal engagements with high school students, teachers, and districts, the OCRI provides virtual lab environments for both formal high schools and introductory and intermediate camps and workshops for both students and teachers.
Education modules have been developed to support instructors which include learning resources and labs that utilize the Ohio Cyber Range virtual environment.

Improving Cybersecurity for the Citizens of Ohio
Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Ohio Adjutant General's Department office of the Ohio National Guard, and headquartered at the University of Cincinnati, the Ohio Cyber Range Institute will support collaborative cybersecurity programs across Ohio. The goal of the OCRI is to advance an integrated approach to cybersecurity education, workforce, and economic development in cyber-related fields throughout the state.


K12 Engagement
Exploring informal and formal engagements with high school students, teachers, and districts, the OCRI provides virtual lab environments for both formal high schools and introductory and intermediate camps and workshops for both students and teachers.
Education modules have been developed to support instructors which include learning resources and labs that utilize the Ohio Cyber Range virtual environment.

Practitioner Workforce Development
The Ohio Cyber Range Institute aims to build pathways for adult learners, including veterans and non-degree seeking individuals, to gain access to cybersecurity education opportunities.
Through events such as the OCRI Cyber Security Bootcamp, adult learners have the opportunity to earn certificates such as CompTIA Network+/Security+ in short-term programs.

Industry Engagement
By creating Cybersecurity education opportunities for student and adult learners, and connecting academic and industry researchers, the Ohio Cyber Range Institute creates a state-wide network of talented professionals who will be prepared to fill industry jobs throughout the state.
Meet The Team

Hazem Said, PhD
Co-Director, OCRI
Head, School of Information Technology

Richard Harknett, PhD
Co-Director, OCRI
Head, School of Public and International Affairs

Marc Cahay, PhD
Co-Director, OCRI
Head, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Rebekah Michael
Executive Staff Director, OCRI
Assistant Professor Educator, School of Information Technology
Executive Committee Partners





