Fayetteville is a community built on service, where resilience runs deep in the lives of all who call it home, whether through military service, supporting a loved one in uniform, or facing the challenges of everyday life. My husband answered the call of duty by serving in uniform. For me, it meant supporting him through deployments, carrying the weight of uncertainty, and embracing the unique challenges that come with military life. That journey eventually led me to my own way of serving, in cyber defense education. Not on the battlefield where my husband once stood, but in the classrooms and networks that prepare our community for the future.
Cybersecurity is more than just a career. It’s a lifelong commitment that goes beyond certifications and salaries. It’s about defending the life you live, the lives you live for, and the generations who will inherit the digital world we leave behind.
That is why so many veterans, spouses, and dependents are drawn to this field. At Fayetteville Technical Community College, more than half of our cybersecurity students have direct military ties. And it makes sense. The same qualities instilled by military service, such as resilience, adaptability, mission focus, and teamwork, are essential in cyber defense. These traits shape veterans and their dependents into uniquely qualified individuals to defend against the ever-evolving digital threats we face.
Military families are no strangers to adapting to change and shouldering responsibility. These experiences make them well-suited to protect and defend on today’s digital battlefields, where the threats are constant and the mission never ends.
Fayetteville needs you, and cybersecurity is a responsibility we all share. It is not just for corporate boardrooms or government agencies; it touches every part of our lives. From the school systems where our children learn, to the small businesses on Hay Street, the hospital networks that care for our families, and the bank accounts we check on our phones, every device and account represents a front line.
Our duty to protect these digital spaces begins with simple everyday actions that build safety and resilience, such as guiding our children to navigate the online world wisely, securing important records, and being cautious of suspicious messages. Each of these mindful steps strengthens not only our own security but also the overall resilience of our community.
In Fayetteville, service does not end when the uniform comes off, and it’s not just for those who wore it. Cybersecurity is one way we can all help protect the home front. The digital war is already here, fought on battlefields that touch every part of our lives. That makes the question personal for each of us: Are you future-ready?
For more information, reach out to Rhiannon Holley, instructor and Department Chair, Cybersecurity, at holleyr@faytechcc.edu, or call 910-486-730.