Minnesota State I.T. Center of Excellence

06/10/2026

Congrats to the winners of the Minnesota State Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) who were recently honored at the Secure 360 Security Conference.

The winners of the 2026 Minnesota CCDC competition:

1st Place: St. Cloud State University
2nd Place: Dunwoody College of Technology
3rd Place: Metro State University

05/05/2026

Looking for an affordable and fast career change? Starting this fall, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from Northwest Technical College in Information Technology Support. This fully online, asynchronous program will prepare you for a career in I.T. that can earn $30.71 an hour and offers an expected 5.9% increase in jobs over the next 10 years.

Designed for flexibility, the AAS degree allows you to complete coursework on your schedule while building the skills needed to move quickly
into the workforce or advance in your current role.
For more information
about our programs, visit

NTC offers flexible schedules, online learning options and encouraging, experienced instructors who help you develop the skills and experience you need to boost your confidence and make an immediate impact in the workplace. Come join us. Find your passion, earn a good income and establish a rewardin...

04/20/2026

Registration is now open for EmpowerMN CS+AI 2026!

EmpowerMN CS+AI 2026 is a unique three-day computing education professional development event that offers a chance to explore a workshop topic of your choice led by experienced facilitators. At EmpowerMN participants will:

• Choose one of seven three-day computer science or artificial intelligence workshops that best aligns to your professional learning goals and experience
• Join whole group events including guest speakers and networking opportunities
• Workshops include:
o Introduction to Computer Science and Computational Thinking
o Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
o CS Integration with Physical Computing
o Experience CS
o AI in CS Education
o Telling Stories with Data: CS Thinking Through Human Data
o Cybersecurity Standards & Curricula

Dates: August 4th - August 6th, 2026
Cost: $100 (includes 1 year of CSTA membership)
Stipend: $630 stipend for teachers who attend all three days (eligibility details)
Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
Travel Reimbursement: Up to $600 reimbursement available for those who qualify (eligibility details)
Who: Educators of all experience levels interested in computer science and AI education

Register today!

Create a new Guest account. If you do not have an account, you can create a guest account to complete the registration process. Note: parents/guardians of youth participants must be users in the system (either with a University account or a University guest account) before the youth participant can....

03/19/2026

The I.T. Centers are amazing!

02/27/2026

The Minnesota High School Cyber Challenge (MNHSCC) is happening today, February 27th, and the ITCOE is live on the scene at Hennepin Technical College!

In a world where digital security is more critical than ever, these tech-minded students are stepping up to the plate to compete, connect, and conquer. This inaugural event isn't just a competition; it’s the ultimate hands-on challenge for the next generation of cybersecurity experts and IT professionals.

From solving real-world cyber puzzles to hearing from industry keynote speakers, these teams of 4 to 12 students are proving that the future of tech is in great hands. We are thrilled to be part of an event that bridges the gap between high school passion and college-level learning.

Why Cyber Matters:

Real-World Impact: Cybersecurity protects everything from personal data to national infrastructure.

Career Growth: Events like this prepare students for high-demand, high-impact IT careers.

Problem Solving: Teams are pushed to think critically and act quickly—skills essential in today’s digital landscape.

Shoutout to all the competing teams—we can’t wait to see who takes home the medals and trophies!

Stay tuned for updates from the Brooklyn Park Campus as we celebrate the first annual MNHSCC!

02/19/2026

Home healthcare is moving to the digital front lines—is your team protected? 🛡️ While large hospitals have massive IT departments, home care professionals often face cyber threats alone. We’re closing that gap. Check out the new Home Healthcare and Cyber Training from the ITCOE. In just 90 minutes, learn how to secure patient data and protect seniors from scams.
Interested? Contact the ITCOE here for more information
🔗 https://www.minnesotatechresources.org/home-healthcare-and-cyber-training

This training for home healthcare workers provides basic understanding of cybersecurity and best practices for home health care workers keep patients safe and how to ask key questions to determine whether someone has been or is in the process of being scammed.

01/24/2026

Great day to host and support Future City Competition -Farm to Table.

Thanks to Metropolitan State University in St. PAUL for hosting!!

09/25/2025

Ready to dominate the competition? 🎮

Assemble your elite team for the CSS15 Cyber Sports Regional CTF Competition! This high-stakes Capture the Flag event is FREE for students and your chance to showcase your cybersecurity skills, win scholarships, and cash prizes. 🏆

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Time: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM CDT

Location: Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park, MN

The registration deadline is October 10, 2025! Don't miss out—sign up your team of 4 (or register individually and we'll help find you a team) and secure your spot:

https://www.cybersportsltd.org/events-cybersports

Be There. Be Bold. Be the Future. 🔥

09/23/2025

Hey, Minnesota nonprofits and small business owners! 📢

Here is your reminder that the free cyber hygiene training from the Metro State University MN Cyber Clinic starts tomorrow, September 24th!

Don't miss out on Part 1 of this live, online training: "Stay One Step Ahead- Spot, Block, and Defend Against Cyber Threats." You'll learn the essential skills of spotting social engineering, creating strong passwords, and using multi-factor authentication.

The session runs from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to strengthen your organization's defenses at absolutely no cost.

Upcoming Sessions

Part 2: October 8, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Part 3: November 12, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time! Secure your spot and protect your organization.

Hosted by Metro State University MN Cyber Clinic. Serving nonprofits, small businesses, K-12 schools, and local communities across Minnesota. Live Online Via Zoom Free Cyber Hygiene TrainingDesigned for Nonprofits & Small Business Owners Why Attend? Small businesses/Nonprofits are prime targets for....

09/18/2025

Looking to boost your organization's cybersecurity? 🛡️ The Metro State University MN Cyber Clinic is offering a free cyber hygiene training designed specifically for Minnesota nonprofits and small business owners.

This training is a live, online event via Zoom and is based on the CIS Controls Implementation Group 1 (IG1). It is broken into three parts:

Part 1: Stay One Step Ahead (September 24, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Learn to spot social engineering, create strong passwords, use multi-factor authentication, and handle data safely on public networks.

Part 2: Don't Be the Breach (October 8, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Discover how to securely store and share sensitive information and avoid common exposures.

Part 3: Be the First Line of Defense (November 12, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Build a response-ready culture by learning to recognize and report threats and understanding incident response and patch management.

This training is a great way to strengthen your organization's defenses at no cost. Register now to secure your spot!

Hosted by Metro State University MN Cyber Clinic. Serving nonprofits, small businesses, K-12 schools, and local communities across Minnesota. Live Online Via Zoom Free Cyber Hygiene TrainingDesigned for Nonprofits & Small Business Owners Why Attend? Small businesses/Nonprofits are prime targets for....