MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business began construction Monday (September 28th) on a $5.6 million cybersecurity range that will provide a real-world virtual training environment for cyberattacks. The project is the first of its kind within Tennessee higher education and aims to strengthen the local and regional workforce against digital threats.

Housed within existing space on the first floor of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street, the MTSU Cyber Range will serve as a cutting-edge simulation environment. MTSU created the range in partnership with IBM, and the facility relies on AWS and Cloud Range technologies to let students, businesses, and government agencies train for real-time cyber threats.

The 2,446-square-foot renovated space will feature a simulation classroom and lab theater, an observation room, breakout rooms, and offices for faculty and staff. State funding provides $5 million for the project, with additional financial backing coming from corporate partners Middle Tennessee Electric, Delta Dental, and National Healthcare Corp., also known as NHC.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Jones College Dean Joyce Heames marked the start of construction with a ceremonial "wall breaking" event on Friday (September 25th). Equipped with hard hats and sledgehammers, the university leaders kicked off the build alongside cybersecurity faculty and local industry representatives.

McPhee stated the facility directly addresses a critical workforce need while showing the strong partnership the university holds with top global corporations like IBM and regional community partners. MTSU represents one of 10 strategic university partnerships IBM has established nationwide, joining institutions such as Marshall University, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and the University of Ottawa.

Heames emphasized that the installation of the MTSU Jones College Cyber Range focuses on preparing people for future cybersecurity challenges rather than simply teaching them about today's threats. Construction crews expect to complete the facility for active use by January.