FoxPointe Solutions gift helps fund cybersecurity scholarships and student study space

FoxPointe Solutions, a division of The Bonadio Group dedicated to information risk management, has made a $25,000 donation to fund diversity-based scholarships and a graduate student study space in RIT’s new Global Cybersecurity Institute (GCI).

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John Roman

With the gift, FoxPointe aims to support the professional development of those entering the cybersecurity field and increase diversity in the computing industry. John Roman, president/COO of FoxPointe Solutions, chief information officer of The Bonadio Group, and a 1991 business management RIT alumnus, said that supporting the next generation of cybersecurity experts is of utmost importance.

“Right now, the demand for cybersecurity professionals largely outweighs those entering the field, which makes recruitment and education a top priority for firms like FoxPointe,” said Roman, who is also an adjunct instructor of computing security at RIT. “Supporting this next generation locally and globally directly aligns with our growth strategy as a company.”

The scholarships will be granted to select participants of RIT’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp — an immersive 15- or 30-week training course that prepares people from all backgrounds and abilities to enter the cyber workforce. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to take on entry-level roles as a cyber technician, cyber incident responder, cyber investigator, or an IT auditor. The 30-week part-time bootcamp is intended for companies seeking to upskill their existing workforce to address cybersecurity gaps in their operations.

FoxPointe is funding five $2,500 scholarships for people with non-traditional backgrounds who are looking to transition into the cybersecurity workforce. This includes, but is not limited to, women, those from single-parent households, minorities, people with non-technical backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

“We know that diverse teams perform better and that we need to find new ways to bring people with more diverse backgrounds into technology—so we’re deeply committed to helping build a diverse workforce in this industry,” said Steve Hoover, executive director of the GCI. “We are very grateful for FoxPointe’s gift and dedication to fostering these new cybersecurity experts.”

FoxPointe’s gift will also support a graduate study space in the GCI, for computing security students working on assignments and capstone projects. The GCI is a new 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility on campus, where experts focus on cybersecurity education, training, and research.

The bootcamp is delivered remotely through the GCI Cyber Range and Training Center, a virtual and physical lab for simulating network cyberattacks and problem-solving scenarios. Other scholarships are available for Cybersecurity Bootcamp applicants.

Registration is now open for the next cohorts of RIT’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. The part-time cohort opens in late June, while the next full-time cohort starts in early August. Apply now on the Cybersecurity Bootcamp website for more information.

FoxPointe Solutions is a nationwide cybersecurity advisory practice that helps private and public sector organizations reduce threats, close gaps, and reduce/manage risk. In 2007, The Bonadio Group founded its Enterprise Risk Management practice to help companies navigate a growing world of interconnected networks, systems, and people, along with the risks associated with communicating and transacting business in that world. Since then, the company transformed the practice into FoxPointe Solutions, and evolved into a full-service cyber risk management and compliance firm, with more than 10 years of experience in the industry.

This gift is part of Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, a $1 billion university fundraising effort, the largest in university history. This blended campaign seeks support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies. The campaign has raised $785 million to date.