Published 02/27/2026
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, preparing a skilled and adaptable workforce is essential to protecting the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Cyber4n6 Program, a partnership between the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Central Virginia Node (CVN) and the Virginia State Police (VSP), is helping meet that need by connecting students with real-world digital forensics experience.
Designed for undergraduate and graduate students at CVN partner institutions, the program provides opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to active investigative environments. Participants gain hands-on experience in areas such as programming, digital forensics workflows, and collaborative development tools, while also building the communication, leadership, and teamwork skills necessary for careers in cybersecurity, technology, and public service.Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), in partnership with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Central Virginia Node (CCI CVN), has launched a new AI Testbed designed to expand access to advanced computing power and accelerate artificial intelligence research, experimentation, and real-world application development.
Preparing the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals
For many students, the Cyber4n6 Program offers a bridge between academic study and professional practice.
During the 2024/2025 academic year, Jayson Urena participated in the program while studying at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he applied his skills in Python and SQL to digital forensics projects supporting VSP. The experience provided a deeper understanding of how technical work contributes directly to investigations and demonstrated the importance of collaboration in producing meaningful results.
Today, Urena works as a software engineer for Walmart Global Tech in Sunnyvale, California. He credits the Cyber4n6 Program with strengthening his communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities, skills that continue to play a key role in his daily work. For students considering the program, he encourages them to take the opportunity.
“Experiences like Cyber4n6 can open doors you may not have realized were available.”
Kevin Argueta, a current VCU student, continues to participate in the Cyber4n6 Program while pursuing his degree. With interests in programming, cybersecurity, and digital forensics, he sought an opportunity that aligned with his coursework while providing practical experience. Through the program, Argueta is gaining exposure to professional workflows, collaborating with practitioners in the field, and building the hands-on knowledge that will support his future career in cybersecurity.
Together, their experiences highlight how Cyber4n6 supports students at multiple stages, from those preparing to enter the workforce to those already launching their careers.
Continuing the Partnership and Expanding Opportunity
The collaboration between CVN and the Virginia State Police continues to grow as the Cyber4n6 Program expands its impact across Central Virginia. By connecting students with real investigative work, the partnership is helping build a stronger, more prepared cybersecurity workforce for Virginia.
Through initiatives like Cyber4n6, CVN and the Virginia State Police are not only investing in student success, they are strengthening the Commonwealth’s digital future.
