Devan Costa-Cargill of Powell, Wyoming, has graduated from the Wyoming SBDC Cybersecurity Business Counselor Registered Apprenticeship – the only program of its kind in the U.S. – equipping her to help small businesses protect themselves against cyber threats.

Unique Apprenticeship Program Bridges Cybersecurity and Small Business Needs

The Cybersecurity Business Counselor Registered Apprenticeship Program, developed and sponsored by CyberWyoming, is the only program of its kind in the United States and is officially approved by the Department of Labor. Designed to bridge the gap between cybersecurity standards and small business realities, the program provides business advisors with the knowledge and tools to guide microbusinesses—those with fewer than 20 employees—in managing security risks without dedicated IT staff.

Costa-Cargill’s achievement underscores the growing need for right-sized cybersecurity guidance for small businesses.

The program covers seven key areas: data privacy procedures, strategic security planning, risk assessment, policy writing, and employee training. Through a combination of virtual coursework and on-the-job experience, graduates like Cunningham gain the skills to help small businesses strengthen their security while keeping the process simple and accessible.

Applying Cybersecurity Expertise Across Wyoming

“This apprenticeship was very robust and it led me into topics I had honestly tried to avoid. Knowing the risks for my clients, it was critical for me to gain this information. I am thankful for the supervision and support of CyberWyoming. This new knowledge has been immediately affective for small business clients, chamber of commerce organizations I work with, and even on a personal level,” said Costa-Cargill, Regional Director for the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network.

Costa-Cargill is using her new skills to support businesses across northwest Wyoming and beyond.

With cybersecurity threats on the rise, small businesses often struggle to implement security measures that align with complex national frameworks. The Cybersecurity Business Counselor apprenticeship fills this gap, translating cybersecurity guidance into more practical, affordable, and understandable business advice, especially for those that lack in-house IT expertise.

CyberWyoming and SBDC Promote Nationwide Cyber Readiness

“We have been privileged to have CyberWyoming join us as a partner to provide services to our clients and training to our staff through our Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program,” said Paul Johnson, Program Manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network. “This state-wide program, fully funded, by the U.S. Small Business administration allows us to provide cyber readiness advising to small businesses who lack the resources to engage IT professionals. The training Devan, and our other staff members, received from CyberWyoming helped her engage with her small business clients to put cybersecurity practices in place and make their businesses more prepared against hackers and more resilient to recover from cyber-attacks.”

CyberWyoming encourages business development organizations, economic groups, and advisors nationwide to consider the Cybersecurity Business Counselor apprenticeship as a model for strengthening small business cybersecurity at the local level.

The apprenticeship program is part of CyberWyoming’s broader effort to equip microbusinesses with practical, accessible cybersecurity education. Our Cybersecurity Competition for Small Businesses, based on the Made Safe™ Business Training program, is now open to microbusinesses nationwide! Whenever we work out of state, we get the head tilt question of “Your name is CyberWyoming?” Luckily, our parent affiliate, CyberUSA, has agreed to let us use their brand for our national programs! We’re still here and based in Wyoming, but we’ve expanded our reach!