Audie Cunningham of Lander, Wyoming, has made history as the first graduate of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Cybersecurity Business Counselor Registered Apprenticeship program, County 10 reports.
Developed by CyberWyoming and approved by the US Department of Labor, this unique initiative is the first of its kind in the nation, aimed at equipping business advisors with cybersecurity expertise tailored for small businesses.
Many microbusinesses—those with fewer than 20 employees—struggle with cybersecurity due to a lack of dedicated IT staff. The Cybersecurity Business Counselor Apprenticeship program helps bridge this gap by training business counselors like Cunningham to guide small business owners through risk management, data privacy, employee training, and strategic security planning.
Cunningham’s training combined virtual coursework with hands-on experience, allowing her to apply cybersecurity best practices in real-world business settings. Reflecting on her experience, she noted that stepping outside her comfort zone was crucial to her professional growth:
“The apprenticeship program empowered me to begin identifying the cybersecurity needs of my small business clients. Even small changes can have a big impact, and that is something I hope all Wyomingites and small businesses understand.”
As cyber threats continue to rise, small businesses often find it challenging to implement security measures that comply with national frameworks. Through initiatives like this apprenticeship, cybersecurity guidance becomes more accessible, practical, and affordable for businesses that lack in-house expertise.
Paul Johnson, Program Manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, emphasized the value of CyberWyoming’s collaboration:
“The training Audie and our other staff received helped engage small business clients in putting cybersecurity practices in place. This makes their businesses more resilient against hackers and better prepared for recovery from cyberattacks.”
