Student members of the UNLV Cyber Clinic, and its faculty directors, were on hand at this year’s Stars of Nevada Governor’s Points of Light Awards to receive the event’s top recognition in the Collegiate Community Leadership category!
The Governor’s Points of Light celebrates the individuals and organizations who help make a vibrant future for all Nevadans by generously donating their time and talents in our communities.
This incredible recognition comes just weeks before the Clinic is set to celebrate its 5th year anniversary. Throughout the last 5 years, the Clinic has helped secure hundreds of small businesses by offering no-cost cybersecurity assessments, including identifying important assets, evaluating their criticality, analyzing potential threats, and recommending controls to improve their cyber hygiene. In addition, Clinic members host week-long cybersecurity summer camps, engage year-round with CCSD students, and provide educational workshops to business groups and the community.
About the UNLV Cyber Clinic
The UNLV Cyber Clinic combines student learning with community service to help Nevada small businesses protect themselves from cyber threats. Through the faculty-led, student-drive program, teams of students provide no-cost cybersecurity assessments, identifying physical and digital vulnerabilities, evaluating existing security measures, and helping small businesses implement recommended improvements. Student volunteers have completed hundreds of these assessments while gaining valuable real-world experience.
With approximately 120 students participating each year, the Cyber Clinic provides a significant resource for small businesses that often lack the expertise or financial resources to hire cybersecurity consultants. Each assessment represents an extensive commitment, averaging 50 to 100 hours of research, meetings, data review, remediation, and follow-up. The Clinic also partners with the Nevada Small Business Development Center and local chambers of commerce to expand its reach. By putting their growing professional skills to work for others, UNLV Cyber Clinic students are strengthening both Nevada’s small businesses and the communities that depend on them.