Before he prepares to defend the nation in cyberspace as a U.S. Army officer, Richard Rabindran has already been protecting communities across Georgia.

As an intern in the University of Georgia CyberArch program, Rabindran hasn’t just studied cybersecurity, he’s applied it. From helping small businesses identify vulnerabilities to advising local governments on risk mitigation, his work bridged the gap between technical expertise and real-world impact. Now, as he prepares to enter the Army Cyber Corps, Rabindran credits CyberArch with giving him the skills needed to succeed in one of today’s most critical and rapidly evolving fields.

“What we’re doing isn’t just regular IT work,” said Rabindran, a graduate student in the School of Computing. “We’re trying to make a difference by helping people in our communities stay safe.”

Learning by doing

Through CyberArch, housed in the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, interns work on risk review teams assessing cybersecurity practices for organizations that include local governments, K-12 school systems, nonprofits, small businesses and rural hospitals. Rabindran joined the program two years ago as an undergraduate and eventually moved into a leadership role, guiding teams and leading projects of his own.

He also helped develop a “continuity book” for the program, creating standard operating procedures to support future interns and bring additional structure to CyberArch’s expanding operations.

The work is more than theoretical. Interns engage directly with clients, analyze exposures and deliver actionable recommendations.

In one case, Rabindran’s team provided a report that helped an organization advocate for increased cybersecurity funding. In another, they educated a small business on the risks of storing sensitive data without sufficient protection.

“These are organizations that often don’t have the resources or knowledge to protect themselves,” Rabindran said. “And they’re the ones most likely to be targeted.”

At the same time, Rabindran was building a different kind of skillset through ROTC.

After walking into UGA’s ROTC building out of curiosity, he joined the program in early 2024 and quickly immersed himself in military training. That summer, he completed Basic Camp at Fort Knox, followed by Advanced Camp the next year.

By the fall of 2025, he had taken on a leadership role as an operations officer, helping organize training events and manage program logistics.

Bridging the cybersecurity gap

While ROTC strengthened his leadership, CyberArch refined his communication skills.

In cybersecurity, success depends not only on technical knowledge but also on the ability to describe complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

“You have to be able to explain what’s going on to someone who may not have any IT experience,” Rabindran said. “CyberArch helped tremendously with that.”

In the Army, that gap can be especially pronounced, where cyber specialists must communicate with soldiers in fields like infantry or artillery, ensuring they understand how cyber operations affect real-world missions.

That combination of technical expertise, real-world experience and communication skills proved critical when Rabindran pursued a role in the Army Cyber Corps.

“They were looking for somebody who can bridge the gap between the technical side and the non-technical side,” he said. “Being able to explain how cybersecurity impacts troops in a real-world situation can change how a mission is carried out.”

A pipeline to the future workforce

Programs like CyberArch are increasingly vital as cybersecurity becomes a cornerstone of national security and economic stability. By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, UGA is equipping students with the skills employers are actively seeking.

“CyberArch is designed to give students real-world experience while serving the community,” said Jeremy Daniel, CyberArch program coordinator. “Our students aren’t just learning cybersecurity. They’re practicing it in meaningful ways that prepare them for careers in government, industry and beyond, or in Richard’s case the U.S. Army.”

That blend of technical training, leadership development and public service is what sets the program apart.

Students don’t just learn how to secure systems. They learn how to lead teams, communicate with clients and adapt to the evolving challenges of cybersecurity.

Building what’s next

As CyberArch continues to expand, it has gained momentum through external support. The program’s growth and impact have been strengthened by generous contributions from organizations including Google and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, which recently awarded CyberArch $100,000, building on a 2024 investment of $250,000. This year, the program also received funding from the UGA Parents Leadership Council, further enhancing its ability to scale student impact. Ultimately, private support is essential to maintaining the pipeline of talent, providing resources necessary to protect Georgia’s communities while developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

This diverse support reflects confidence in the university’s vision to prepare students for the future workforce by combining hands-on experience with meaningful public service.

For Rabindran, that preparation is already paying off.

After commissioning in May, he will begin training with the Army Cyber Corps, where he expects to work on risk assessment and cyber operations—roles closely aligned with his experience at UGA.

While the scale of his work will grow, the foundation remains the same.

“Everything I learned here,” said Rabindran, “is exactly what I’ll be doing going forward.”