South Texas College Cybersecurity Clinic
STC is proud to launch a cutting-edge Cybersecurity Clinic, funded by the National Science Foundation.
This initiative strengthens the cybersecurity resilience of local small businesses and nonprofit organizations, which are especially under-resourced.
The clinic offers free, hands-on cybersecurity services delivered by trained student teams under expert faculty supervision.
Free Clinic Services
Participating organization can receive help with:
- Risk Assessments
Identify and rank vulnerabilities and threats to your operations. - Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Train your employees on the latest cybersecurity threats. - Incident Response Planning
Develop your plan of action in the event of a cyberattack or disaster. - Penetration Testing
Find and exploit vulnerabilities in your systems through a simulated cyberattack. - Vulnerability Analysis
Scan systems for vulnerabilities using open-source software. - Tabletop Exercises
Role-play through cyberattack scenarios to assist with the development of defensive strategies.
Clinic Goals
South Texas College aims to:
- Increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the state of Texas and nationally.
- Improve the cybersecurity resilience of local organizations that are under-resourced.
- Provide technical education through the implementation and advocacy of the cybersecurity clinic model.
Sign Up and Participate
Become a Client
Local organizations that can participate as potential clients include:
- Public entities (municipalities, small hospitals, schools, libraries)
- Nonprofits (food banks, refugee organizations, health clinics, faith-based organizations)
- Small businesses (dentists, restaurants, mom ‘n pop shops)
- Blend of multiple types
Sign up to become a client:
Join the Student Cybersecurity Team
Students chosen to participate in the STC Cybersecurity Clinic will have the chance to enhance their professional skills by delivering complimentary cybersecurity services to local organizations and small businesses. This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, enabling them to gain valuable work experience and increase their marketability after graduation. In addition to course credit, selected students will also receive financial compensation for their contributions.
Application Requirements:
- Students must have a declared major of either:
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity Specialist program.
- Must be taking ITSY 1400 – Fundamentals of Information Security.
- Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer and Information Technologies (BAT-CIT) program.
- Must be taking CITP 4330 – Advanced Network Security.
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity Specialist program.
- Students must be US citizens or permanent residents.
- Students must achieve or maintain a minumum overall GPA of 3.00 by the end of the current semester.
- Students must have successfully completed or be actively enrolled in the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate program, with a clear commitment to finish by the end of the current semester.
- Students must undergo and clear a criminal background check.
- Students will be interviewed as part of the selection process.
Deadline: Nov. 15, 2025
To apply, complete the following form:
Cybersecurity Clinic Advisory Committee
Alex Velazquez
System and Security Manager
City of Pharr
Fernando Benavides
IT Operations Manager
Workforce Solutions
Haissam Mayasi
Chief Technology Officer
La Joya Independent School District
Jeremy Foley
Principal Cybersecurity Engineer / Founder
American Family Insurance / RGV Cyber
Victor Gonzalez
Enterprise Security Architect
San Antonio Water System
Dirce Hernandez
Sr. Cybersecurity GRC Leader
Raices Cyber
