Hacking the Future: Inside the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative

Virginia has made a big bet on cybersecurity—and it’s paying off in some surprising places. In this episode of the Cardinal News podcast, host Lisa Rowan talks with technology reporter Tad Dickens about his deep dive into the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, a statewide effort connecting colleges, universities, and businesses to strengthen digital security. From a virtual water treatment plant at VMI to students helping small businesses in Wise protect their payment systems, Dickens explains how these projects are preparing students for real-world cyber threats and why Southwest Virginia is playing a key role.