UTEP Miner Cybersecurity Clinic

Miners Cybersecurity Clinic

Strengthening Cyber Resilience for El Paso and Beyond

About the Clinic

The UTEP Miners Cybersecurity Clinic connects academic learning with hands-on cybersecurity practice to protect the region’s critical public infrastructure. The clinic offers students meaningful, real-world training while supporting community organizations, businesses, non-profits, schools, utilities, and others with limited cybersecurity resources. Our mission is to prepare future cybersecurity leaders through service to local partners.

The UTEP Miners Cybersecurity Clinic bridges the gap between cybersecurity education and crucial community service. Our mission is threefold:

Train Experts

Provide students with intensive, real-world training in vulnerability analysis, risk mitigation, and client communication.

Serve Local Community

Offer free, thorough cybersecurity assessments and actionable recommendations to small businesses, schools, and nonprofits.

Build Resilience

Contribute to a more cyber-resilient El Paso community by strengthening local organizations' security postures.

Vision and Goals

Our vision is to establish a regional hub for cybersecurity education and service that empowers students and secures our region’s public infrastructure. By 2030, the clinic aims to train over 100 students and provide cybersecurity assistance to nearly 30 community organizations, contributing to national efforts in cyber defense and workforce development.

For Students: Launch Your Cybersecurity Career

Gain mentorship, hands-on experience, and professional development opportunities that strengthen your knowledge and skills while making your profile more competitive.

Real-World Client Experience

Lead security assessments for actual organizations, gaining experience in project management and client communication -- skills employers value.

Technical Deep Dive

Master industry-standard tools and methodologies (e.g., risk assessments, cybersecurity frameworks, controls) under faculty and industry mentor supervision.

Participation Stipend

Limited number of students will receive a stipend for their commitment, recognizing the professional nature and value of their work.

Student Application

Inaugural Cohort (Cohort I)

These students completed specialized training and are now serving selected clients, delivering essential cybersecurity services across the El Paso area. They represent some of UTEP’s finest.

Alejandro Flores
Emily K. Fernandez
Antonio Rivera
Thomas N. Guerra
Pablo E. Hernandez
Braulio J. Banuelos
Areli B. Agudo-Garcia
Dang Pham
Frida M. Pena

For Clients: Comprehensive Security Support

We help small businesses, nonprofits, and critical infrastructure organizations across the El Paso region assess the security of their data and operations, at no cost.

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

Identify critical weaknesses in your current systems, networks, and applications through non-intrusive methods.

Policy and Compliance Review

Analyze existing security policies, assist in creating incident response plans, and recommend best practices for compliance.

Post-Assessment Guidance

Deliver a detailed, easy-to-understand report with prioritized, actionable steps for remediation and ongoing support.

Request a Free Assessment

Consortium and Partnerships

The The UTEP Miners Cybersecurity Clinic is part of the Cybersecurity Clinic Consortium (CCC) , an international network of universities dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity resilience in local communities around the world. Through this consortium, member institutions receive support to establish and grow cybersecurity clinics that provide real-world learning experiences for students and valuable services for their communities.

UTEP is also a proud member of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI), a national initiative that advances the participation of Hispanics in computing through education, research, and workforce development. The clinic’s mission aligns with CAHSI’s goals by providing experiential learning opportunities and developing a diverse, skilled cybersecurity workforce prepared to serve critical sectors.

Together, these partnerships expand the clinic’s impact—connecting regional engagement with national innovation in cybersecurity education and community protection.

Our Team, Partners, and Patrons

Our clinic is led by dedicated faculty, supported by exceptional colleagues and industry mentors, and powered by talented UTEP students.

Dr. Monika Akbar

Faculty Lead

Dr. Salamah Salamah

Faculty Co-Lead

Dr. Bhanukiran Gurijala

Faculty Collaborator

Maly Fong

Clinic Patron and Community Advocate

Shamim Ehsan

Clinic operations and research coordinator

Industry Mentors