San Diego City College receives more than $1 million to build and equip new cybersecurity lab

Funding targets hands-on training capacity for City College’s four-year cybersecurity program

San Diego City College has secured more than $1 million in federal funding to create a new Cyber Security Lab, a move expected to expand hands-on learning capacity for its baccalaureate-level cybersecurity pathway within the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD).

The award was discussed during an SDCCD Board of Trustees update tied to Congressionally Directed Funding. The same update referenced separate federal support for other district priorities, including $500,000 for infrastructure work at the district’s College of Continuing Education and additional requests focused on mental health services.

How the lab fits into City College’s cybersecurity degree track

City College has been building out its four-year cybersecurity offering as part of California community colleges’ expanding role in workforce-focused baccalaureate programs. District leaders have described City College’s program as part of a broader set of SDCCD baccalaureate options, alongside programs at other colleges in the district.

Separately, district communications in recent years have highlighted the launch of City College’s bachelor’s program in cyber defense and analysis, positioned as an affordability-oriented option for students seeking a four-year credential in a field with sustained labor-market demand.

What a cybersecurity lab typically enables

While SDCCD has not publicly released a detailed equipment list or buildout timeline for the lab in the board update, cybersecurity labs at the college level commonly support applied instruction in areas such as network defense, incident response, digital forensics, and controlled “live-fire” simulations. A dedicated lab environment can also increase the scale and consistency of practical exercises that are difficult to replicate in standard classrooms.

• Expanded capacity for technical coursework requiring specialized infrastructure
• Opportunities for scenario-based training aligned with employer expectations
• Support for program growth as community college baccalaureates expand statewide

Broader context: community college baccalaureates and workforce demand

California’s community college baccalaureate model is designed around workforce needs and non-duplication with existing public university programs. District leaders have cited affordability as a key factor for students choosing community college bachelor’s pathways, alongside the intent to connect students to regional labor-market demand in applied fields.

At the district level, leaders have repeatedly emphasized that workforce-focused bachelor’s programs are intended to expand access to four-year credentials while keeping costs closer to the community college price point.

Further details on the lab’s construction, procurement, and instructional integration are expected to emerge through district and college planning processes as the federal award is implemented.