This blog post is by Matthew Landon, Community Engagement Manager
Introducing our new partner, the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic
This fall PCPL worked with the University of Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic to present Online Safety and Recognizing Scams at eleven library locations and we have plans to work with them again next year. The presentations were well received and offered valuable information for those who attended.
UA Professor and director of the clinic, Dr. Paul Wagner, said this: “Libraries are trusted community hubs, and I am proud that the University of Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic can help them protect the people they serve. Through this partnership, we deliver practical cybersecurity awareness training to residents across Pima County, including those in rural and underserved communities. Beyond the skills themselves, this work connects the University with people face to face, building relationships and trust that make our communities safer and more resilient. It puts the University’s expertise directly into the hands of the public, which is the heart of our land grant mission.”
Free cybersecurity help for the organizations that need it most
How does the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic support small businesses, nonprofits, and other under-resourced organizations?
A small business owner does not need to be a target of a large-scale attack to lose a week of work. One phishing email, one reused password, or one unpatched laptop can lock up customer records, drain a bank account, or shut down operations. For many small businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community groups, the real problem is not a lack of concern. It is a lack of budget, time, and in-house expertise.
The Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic was built to close that gap.
What is the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic?
The clinic is an interdisciplinary, public-interest program from the University of Arizona’s Arizona Cybersecurity Academy. It follows the model of university clinics in law and medicine: teams of trained students provide real services to real clients, with the goal of strengthening digital security for under-resourced and underserved organizations across Arizona. The services are free.
The approach works in two directions. Organizations get practical help they might not otherwise be able to afford. Students get hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in a field where demand for skilled professionals keeps growing. That helps Arizona build a stronger cybersecurity workforce while making communities more resilient to threats such as cyberattacks, online harassment, disinformation, and targeted surveillance.
Who does the clinic serve?
The clinic works with small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations, along with the K-12 schools and libraries. If your organization handles customer data, donor information, or day-to-day operations on a tight budget, and you do not have a dedicated security team, the clinic was designed with you in mind.
What services does the clinic provide?
Clinic services follow a three-part process designed to leave you with both a clearer picture of your risks and the knowledge to act on them. The clinic meets with your organization to discuss your needs and answer your initial questions. The team then customizes its services to fit your organization, so the work reflects your size, resources, and priorities.
- A student team visits your organization, identifies your most important assets and how critical each one is, analyzes vulnerabilities and potential threats, and recommends controls to improve your security. Everything is compiled into a written report that is presented to you.
- Clinic members walk through the report with your owners or leadership, answer questions, offer advice, and make sure your specific concerns are addressed.
- Throughout the process, the team explains relevant cybersecurity concepts, principles, and strategies in plain terms and shares resources you can return to later, so your staff can keep building on the work.
How do I get started with the clinic?
If your organization could use help assessing its security, understanding its risks, or training its people, the next step is simple. Submit a request using the clinic’s online form, and the team will follow up with more information about next steps.
Good security does not have to start with a large budget. Sometimes it starts with a conversation, a clear report, and a team willing to explain what comes next.
