A center that trouble shoots computer networks across the globe. A National Guard unit that keeps its eye on activities in a war zone from the confines of a command center half a world away. Educational programs that combine hands-on experiences with real-life applications.
It's all available in south-central Kansas.
Deeply rooted in agriculture and manufacturing, Wichita and the surrounding area might not be considered the mecca for information technology (IT) industries. In reality, it is the mega-industries like agriculture and manufacturing and health care that prove the need for a thriving IT industry on the prairie.
Already more than 53,000 Kansans work in the IT field, but more are needed. With an average wage of $68,000, IT jobs stand out from the typical $36,000 salary for the state.
The Visioneering Wichita Cyber Alliance has dreams of nurturing and growing the IT industry in south-central Kansas, establishing it as the "silicon prairie." Spurring the vision into reality is a solid base of industries already well recognized in the IT field:
Wichita State University's Level 1 Cisco Internet Router Service Center (one of three in the world) Kansas Air National Guard's Network Operations and Security Center, which manages the entire 107,000 person Air National Guard network from Wichita Butler Community College's National Security Systems certificate program Integra Technologies, a leader in circuit testing
Among the Cyber Alliance goals are to organize and communicate with each other. Specific plans include:
Support the Software and Information Technology Association of Kansas (SITAKS), which provides education and training opportunities Increase awareness of the IT industry and opportunities in south-central Kansas Use the Kansas Career Pipeline to connect students and adults to IT education and jobs
Accomplishing these goals will build an information-age community in south-central Kansas that ultimately keeps the region diversified, competitive and on the cutting edge.
