SJSU Associate Professor Awarded $100,000 from Honda to Develop CyVerse

San José State University (SJSU) has been awarded a $100,000 contribution from Honda to support the development of CyVerse. Under the guidance and direction of SJSU College of Information, Data and Society’s Associate Professor Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca, this cutting-edge immersive training platform will help prepare the next generation of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals.

CyVerse will harness extended reality (XR) technologies to create dynamic learning environments that simulate real-world cybersecurity scenarios. By immersing users in interactive challenges, the platform aims to build hands-on skills and deepen understanding of complex concepts in two of today’s most critical and fast-growing fields.

“This contribution from Honda will enable me to build CyVerse, an innovative program that develops a skilled and future-ready AI and cybersecurity workforce,” said San Nicolas-Rocca, principal investigator, faculty member and co-director of SJSU’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity (CAIC). 

 “SJSU is an ideal home for the development of CyVerse,” she says. “Being in the heart of Silicon Valley provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading companies in AI, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and immersive technologies. I am passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn about cybersecurity and AI. SJSU’s diverse academic community allows me to work with students across campus and prepare them for future-ready careers in emerging tech.” 

What CyVerse Will Offer

CyVerse is envisioned as a “Cybersecurity Metaverse”—a gamified, XR-based learning platform that will redefine cybersecurity education. Using browser-based virtual environments, learners will eventually explore foundational knowledge, tackle skill-based challenges and engage with simulated real-world scenarios. CyVerse will prioritize interactivity and accessibility, allowing users to learn through experience rather than passive content delivery.

“CyVerse represents an exciting leap forward in how we approach cybersecurity and AI education. By combining immersive technology with real-world problem-solving, we’re creating a training experience that is engaging and directly aligned with industry needs,” said Simon Shim, chair of the Department of Applied Data Science and CAIC co-director. 

The platform’s initial deployment will focus on SJSU students. Following development and testing, it will expand to high schools, community colleges, tribal communities, libraries and other educational partners across diverse regions.

In the short term, CyVerse will launch a series of interactive training rooms that teach foundational and intermediate cybersecurity concepts. The program will be accessible to everyone, including those in remote areas who may not have access to AI and cybersecurity education, training and awareness programs. 

Longer-term, CyVerse aims to become a scalable model for immersive cybersecurity education. Plans include expanding outreach to high school and community college students, offering foundational training and supporting workforce development across the region and beyond. The initiative also seeks to address the global cybersecurity skills gap through experiential, industry-aligned learning opportunities.

Advancing Cybersecurity and AI Education

“At the College of Information, Data and Society, we are committed to building forward-looking programs that prepare our students to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Honda’s support enables us to deliver on that mission by equipping learners with cutting-edge tools and immersive experiences that reflect the future of work in cybersecurity and AI,” says Mehrdad Aliasgar, dean of the College of Information, Data and Society. 

“Honda is proud to support programs and initiatives like CyVerse that equip students with the skills and vision that will help them shape the future and foster a more resilient and innovative workforce,” says Bobbie Trittschuh, charitable giving manager, American Honda.

About the College of Information, Data and Society at San José State University

The College of Information, Data and Society at San José State University is dedicated to advancing education and research at the intersection of technology, people, and society. Home to innovative programs in information science, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital communication, the College prepares students to become ethical, data-literate leaders equipped to address complex challenges in a rapidly changing digital world. The College fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, community partnerships, and applied learning experiences, empowering graduates to drive impact across public and private sectors.

About the Silicon Valley Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity 

The Silicon Valley Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity (CAIC) is a collaborative research and innovation hub housed within San José State University’s College of Information, Data and Society. CAIC brings together faculty, students, government agencies, and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges in AI and cybersecurity. Through interdisciplinary research, hands-on training, and community-centered initiatives, CAIC aims to advance responsible innovation, workforce development, and public-sector transformation in the heart of Silicon Valley.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation  

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving to education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community.   

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For more information: Contact Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca, tonia.sannicolas-rocca@sjsu.edu.