Summary

UNLV's Cyber Clinic is a student-run and nonprofit organization that offers free cybersecurity services to small businesses throughout the Las Vegas valley. The Cyber Clinic expresses that students' knowledge of cybersecurity is crucial for the lives they live now. With cyberattacks occurring daily and becoming more complex each day, the student-run organization has been able to utilize these unfortunate events to give students the experience they need for a brighter future. The clinic’s student leadership heavily embraces their roles within the organization, attend cyber security events to spread awareness of UNLV’s cybersecurity department’s strength, and helps provide students with certifications they’ll need later on in their careers.

Background Research

Alexis Fernandez; “UNLV clinic helping small businesses with free cybersecurity measures”; FOX5 KVVU-TV; Jul. 10, 2025

In this quick article, Fernandez interviews two members of the cyber clinic about how their interest came to be in digital careers. With these two members being moved by cybersecurity, the article quickly interviews what it means to try to recruit high school students to help inspire new journeys in the career field.

 

Eric Neugeboren; “Cybersecurity experts announce at UNLV summit efforts to bolster workforce”; The Nevada Independent; Aug. 10th, 2023.

In Neugeborene's 2023 article, it was revealed that UNLV was pushing for a more diverse workforce due to the industry needing to focus on skills rather than educational backgrounds and personal matters because of the paid surge in cybersecurity. (This article foreshadows the free clinic turning into a class instead of a student-run program.)

Eric Neugeboren; “UNLV expanding free cybersecurity assistance to small businesses amid high-profile hacks”; The Nevada Independent; Oct. 23rd, 2023.

Neugeboren's second article covers UNLV’s grant of $3 million from the National Security Agency,  Small Business Administration and Google to expand research and education within the student-run organization, the Cyber Clinic. It also discusses the major cyberattacks that took place in 2023 involving MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, and how small businesses are likely to be the next target for hackers because they are more vulnerable.

James Schaeffer; “Las Vegas attacks share ‘one common trait,’ says cyber security professor”; 8 News Now; Sept. 29th, 2025.

The article discusses the high demand for workers within the field as cyber attacks and threats continue to grow. With fast-paced technology being used against the average user or businesses, UNLV’s cybersecurity program aims to develop skills for students to combat new technologies and software effectively. Furthermore, the article touches on how AI  is incorporated into daily life and how it can be used against or for everyone on all ends.

Joshua Perguero; “Hackers claim to have student data, as FBI assists CCSD in investigation”; 8 News Now; Oct. 27, 2023

In this quick story, Perguero interviews Professor and clinic director Yoohwan Kim and the clinic's president, Jorge Anderson, about cyberattacks on CCSD students and the importance of protecting data, as well as simple ways to prevent cyberattacks.

Katie Ann McCarver; “Cybersecurity program at UNLV new but already among nation’s best”; Las Vegas Sun, Vegas INC; Nov. 11, 2024.

The article presented by McCarver covers the rapid growth within the cybersecurity program as a whole at UNLV. Even though the university is focusing on its bachelor's program in the field by providing more opportunities for undergraduates, the article states it ranked second by Fortune for master’s in cybersecurity programs.

Yasmeen Atout, Vice President of the Project Coordination Department

With Yasmeen’s position being Vice President, she works directly under Anubhab. She is tasked with drafting paperwork, keeping track of clients, communicating with and managing engagement teams, and overseeing all projects throughout the clinic. Furthermore, she is the main point of contact for the rest of the organization if they have any questions or concerns with their cases.

  1. What sparked your interest in the organization when you first joined 2 years ago?

  2. What was your last role before you became the Vice President of the Project Coordination Department?

  3. How did you take on the Vice President role, and how are you enjoying it?

  4. How often do you and your team discuss the clinic’s next projects and pursuits? 

  5. Has the organization's clientele been steady since Fall 2025?

  6. How big is the organization as a whole? Are there members who are not listed on the clinic’s website information page?

  7. While you have a sign-up page for the CARE program, are there times when the clinic offers/ reaches out to businesses first for their services?

  8. Are there any other roles the clinic plans to create?

  9. Is there a max capacity of students who can join?

  10. Is there a certain time of the year when cyber attacks are popular?

  11. When is the least popular time for cyber attacks to take place?

  12. What is one of your biggest accomplishments within the program, and what did you most learn from it?

  13. How does the clinic help you invest in your future career personally?

  14. Is there anything else you would like to include, such as something I missed or would like to discuss more upon?

Interview Questions

Anubhab Mahapatra, President of the Project Coordination Department

Being a dual master's student in Cybersecurity and Management System Information has allowed Anubhab to understand the cyber world in a different format than most. He effortlessly blends business and cybersecurity skills to create a medium for both roles to coexist. As President of the Project Coordination Department, his responsibility is to set events and to manage the overall budget and expenses of the student organization.

Interview Questions:

  1. What sparked your interest in your cyber security, and why did you decide to dual major in MS Management Information Systems?

  2. How did you learn about the cyber clinic organization, and what motivated you to join it?

  3. With finding your success of dual majoring in Cyber Security and Management System Information, how do you apply those skills to the organization?

  4. As President of the Project Coordination Department, what specifics does your role entail that you find are the most crucial?

  5. What have been the latest biggest projects the clinic took charge of since spring 2025? This can also be taking on new clients as well.

  6. What is the budget for the clinic to run its free services to small businesses throughout the valley?

  7. How much would you estimate the Care service cost to small businesses if you did not provide it for free? 

  8. Is the organization planning on providing classes to students to learn more about cybersecurity?

  9. Are there any specific long-term projects the clinic wants to achieve this year? Why?

  10. What is one of your biggest accomplishments within the program, and what did you most learn from it?

  11. How does the clinic help you invest in your future career personally?

  12. What is one piece of advice you think students must know to prevent cyber attacks?

  13. Do you have a fun fact you’d like to share about the cybersecurity world? 

  14. Is there anything else you would like to include, such as something I missed or would like to discuss more upon?

Mikayla Tuzon, President of the Cyber Clinic

Mikayla, while holding a bachelor's degree in journalism, has had much success with the student-run tech-based organization. She has been able to blend both careers into one passion for her.

1. How long have you been President of the Cyber Clinic?

2. How do you encourage college students to join the Cyber Clinic?

3. When was the Junior Program implemented, and how often do you go to schools across the valley to advocate for them to join the mentor program?

4. What other goals do you have planned for this year for the organization, and how do you plan on accomplishing them?

5. What can students gain from taking cybersecurity gaining knowledge about cyber security?

6. Where do students start once they’ve joined the clinic?

7. How many hours of training will the new members need to join cyber attack cases?

8. How do the benefits differ if students take part in the soon-to-be cybersecurity classes versus the organization itself?

9. Will the change of adding a cybersecurity class affect the organization as a whole?

10. Lastly, how much has the clinic grown since you have been a part of it?

11. Is there anything else you would like to include, such as something I missed or would like to discuss more upon?

Nate Boyle, Vice President of the Cyber Clinic

Nate has been involved with Cyber Clinic since 2025 and has had several achievements during his time. Nate also has on-hand experience within the field with companies such as MGM Resorts International, working as a technology auditor.

1. What is your major and concentration?

2. How long have you been Vice President of the Cyber Clinic?

3. What are the software programs does the Cyber Clinic specialize in?

4. Did you help build any of the programs that the clinic uses? 

5. What are a few examples of ethical cybersecurity practices you set in place for your team members to follow? 

6. How long does it take for students to obtain their preliminary cybersecurity certification to proceed to in-person training

6. Is the CARE (Assessment, Remediation, and Education) method strictly the cyber clinics method?

7. How can you help students who have majors unrelated to the digital world overcome the fear of the difficult connotation cybersecurity brings, and how useful it is in everyday life?

8. What impacts has the student organization brought to small businesses throughout the valley through the Care Level 1 and Level 2 programs? 

9. After helping out small businesses recover from cyber attacks, what kinds of education and information are crucial for small businesses to know to prevent another attack from occurring? 

10. What is the longevity of a cyber attack, and what specific data are they looking for?