Ball Brothers Foundation Hosts Cybersecurity Summit, Announces $200K in Grants to Build Workforce Pipeline
Jud Fisher at the Delaware County
High-Tech Crimes Unit
Ball Brothers Foundation hosted a convening on June 11, gathering community leaders, law enforcement officials, and academic professionals to discuss the growing cyber threats facing East Central Indiana and the nation. In addition, Ball Brothers Foundation announced over $200,000 in grants for local efforts to develop a stronger workforce pipeline to address these threats and to support local law enforcement in building stronger cyber capabilities. The convening featured a distinguished guest presenter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance regional security and preparedness against cybercrime.
Held at the historic E.B. & Bertha C. Ball Center, the convening provided a forum for discussions on emerging threats, community resilience strategies, and the critical need for education and internships to cultivate a robust local cybersecurity talent pipeline. The dialogue also touched on fostering stronger partnerships between federal agencies and local entities to protect critical infrastructure and respond to evolving challenges.
In alignment with these needs, Ball Brothers Foundation announced grants to the following:
Anderson University: AU’s Center for Security Studies and Cyber Defense (CSSCD) and the Indiana Cyber Network (ICN) will use funding to expand cybersecurity apprenticeships to five universities across Indiana, training 60–70 students next year. Awarded $25,000.
Ball State University: BSU’s new Cardinal Academy for Digital Security will broaden its internship network, continue to build out its on-campus digital security lab, and create a new professional development series for students pursuing cyber careers. Awarded $25,000.
Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office: The Office’s High-Tech Crimes Unit will upgrade its digital forensics toolkit—adding new hardware, software, and training to investigate evidence from crime scenes across 11 counties. Continuing its partnership with Ball State University, the Unit will scale its student internship program, embedding interns in real-world investigations and building a local pipeline of cybersecurity talent. Awarded $50,000.
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office: The Sheriff’s Office will update critical digital forensics and evidence-management software. Awarded $20,000.
Muncie Police Department: Funding will help MPD’s Cyber Lab upgrade platforms for more advanced mobile forensics, upgrade aging equipment, and provide specialized training for detectives in emerging digital forensic techniques. Awarded $20,000.
Ball State University Police Department: BSUPD will upgrade its training room to create a more effective learning space for law enforcement and community partners. Awarded $10,000.
Wes-Del Schools: Wes-Del is launching an industry-grade cybersecurity and networking program within its computer science curriculum, giving students hands-on experience with programming, network configuration, and cloud tools. A revamped IT lab and project-based learning model supported by BBF will let students tackle real-world challenges and learn from professionals in the field. Awarded $59,000.
Delaware County High-Tech Crimes Unit
The convening and grants are part of Project Sybertooth, an initiative launched by Ball Brothers Foundation in 2020 to:
Cultivate a local pipeline of cybersecurity talent through tailored education and internships.
Bolster the capacity of first responders and organizations to prevent, detect, and investigate cybercrime.
Build communication channels among law enforcement, government, military, education, business, and nonprofit partners.
Raise public awareness and promote best practices to protect individuals and institutions.
"These convenings are crucial for strengthening our collective ability to address complex challenges and ensure the safety and prosperity of Muncie and East Central Indiana," said Jud Fisher, Ball Brothers Foundation President & CEO. "By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including federal partners like the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement, we are building a more resilient and prepared community."
The event concluded with a visit to the Delaware County High-Tech Crimes Unit in downtown Muncie, where attendees toured recent upgrades to the workspace and equipment at the cybercrime training facility. Attendees also met student interns who work in the Unit to collect and analyze data from phones, laptop computers, and other electronic devices. Students are deputized by the Prosecutor’s Office, bolstering the Unit’s staffing capacity while also gaining hands-on experience.
The June 11 convening reinforced an ongoing shared commitment to proactive engagement and preparedness as cybercrime and cybersecurity become increasingly complex and threatening.
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About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation pays out more than $8 million in grants to support arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public/society benefit. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state.