Cybercrime is a Growing Threat Indiana Communities Need to Address

The threats we face in the digital world are evolving at a frightening pace. From phishing schemes and ransomware attacks to identity theft and deepfake impersonations, the list of cyber threats keeps expanding. As technology advances—and the internet becomes ever more integrated into our daily lives—the security of our information and systems has never been more critical.

From multinational corporations to small rural school districts, data breaches and malicious cyberattacks pose a significant threat to all of Indiana’s businesses, economy, and citizens. Daily, we encounter reminders of how easily our lives can be disrupted by a single data breach, a careless click on a malicious email, or an innocent-sounding phone call that can easily turn out to be a scam.

Investing in the future of our communities

As a private foundation with nearly a century of grantmaking history in Indiana, Ball Brothers Foundation remains committed to improving the quality of life in Muncie, the region of East Central Indiana, and the state at large. Part of our mission is to anticipate future challenges and opportunities for the communities we serve. While we cannot predict the future, we know that cybersecurity will play an increasingly crucial role.

Recognizing this, in 2020 the foundation began allocating a portion of our grantmaking budget to prepare for a future where cyberattacks and cybercrime are even more prevalent. We launched a grantmaking initiative we call “Project Sybertooth” to make small grants to local organizations working on these issues. We know that the demand for cybersecurity professionals has tripled over the past decade, and the complexity of these roles only continues to grow. 

Imagine a typical police department, whether in an Indiana city or a rural area—how can officers be extensively trained to handle cyber complaints when they are already stretched thin? And who can citizens, small nonprofits, churches, and schools turn to when they fall victim to cybercrime? Addressing cybercrime is complex, but meaningful steps can be taken at local, regional, and statewide levels.

In East Central Indiana, we are beginning to find answers to take small steps forward:

• Strengthening the cybersecurity talent pipeline by investing in programs that prepare young adults for careers in cyber. 
• Enhancing local law enforcement capabilities to deter and investigate cybercrime.
• Developing broader communication networks among law enforcement agencies at all levels including military, elected officials, banks, corporations, small businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits.
• Implementing interagency education, training, and team-building programs to encourage a collaborative approach to cybersecurity. 

Progress & impact

In just a few short years, we’ve already seen some notable outcomes. East Central Indiana became home to one of the state’s ten “High-Tech Crime Units,” housed in the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office. This unit processes digital evidence across an eleven-county area and has already served 22 county, municipal, hospital, and university police departments. Additionally, the Muncie Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office have new software and equipment that officers can use to secure and process digital evidence.

Educational institutions have also stepped up to the challenge. Ivy Tech-Muncie launched a custom training program for local law enforcement officers, creating a cohort of officers to handle cybercrime. Currently, Anderson University and Ball State University are working together to provide highly competitive, paid internships in information security, giving college students practical experience in this crucial field. 

Looking ahead

We are proud of these advancements in East Central Indiana, but we know more can be done here and across the state. That’s why we’re teaming up with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to host a summit in downtown Muncie on July 24. This event will bring together university leaders, state officials, K-12 educators, private sector representatives, and law enforcement to discuss practical strategies to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce pipeline.

From Indiana’s smallest townships to its largest cities, we must all do more to prepare our communities for future cybersecurity challenges. We are excited ECI is leading the way in addressing these tough issues that have an impact on us all and about the progress being made.