Utica-based Advanced Institute for Manufacturing (AIM) at Mohawk Valley Community College will lead a statewide cybersecurity program for manufacturers.

The initiative is aimed to help local companies fight cyber risks and secure Department of Defense contracts, which in the end will mean job preservation.

The funding from a NYSTAR grant is more than $303,000.

AIM will conduct assessments to identify any gaps between existing protocols and any new cybersecurity requirements. After, they will provide and implement actions to fix any issues.

The process will help manufactures retain existing contracts and jobs, while allowing them to also seek new contracts that could subsequently secure more jobs.

NYSTAR Director Matt Watson said in a statement, “By ensuring that members of New York State's manufacturing ecosystem are secure against the threat of cyberattacks, we are helping these companies meet Federal standards while strengthening their own online defenses.”