Contact:
Sonia Caltvedt
UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity
soniacaltvedt@berekeley.edu
(BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, November 10, 2026) — The Asia Foundation and the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, an international network of cybersecurity clinics based in higher-education institutions, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Consortium’s Asia-Pacific Chapter. The partnership connects clinics across the region to help small businesses and community-level organizations address growing cyber threats while preparing students for cybersecurity careers.
The MOU formally establishes the Consortium’s Asia-Pacific Chapter, convened by The Asia Foundation (TAF) through the APAC Cybersecurity Fund (ACF), a program supported by Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. The APAC Chapter brings together 30 clinics across 14 countries in Asia and the Pacific, including 18 established through the ACF program.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) power local economies across Asia and the Pacific, but frequently operate without dedicated IT staff or resources to recover from cyber incidents. Modeled on legal and medical school clinics, and housed at higher-education institutions, cybersecurity clinics provide pro bono services under faculty supervision. Through the ACF program, cybersecurity clinics help small businesses, nonprofits, local governments, rural school districts, and local utility providers, while students gain experience applying their skills to real-world challenges.
“The APAC Chapter brings together two important goals: helping small businesses access practical cybersecurity support and preparing students to become the next generation of cybersecurity professionals,” said Anthea Mulakala, senior director of digital economy at The Asia Foundation. “By connecting higher-education-based clinics across the region and linking them to the global Consortium, we are building a network that can share expertise, develop local capacity, and help more MSMEs navigate cyber risks as they participate in the digital economy.”
The partnership brings complementary strengths to this work. TAF will continue to convene and coordinate the APAC Chapter, support engagement among participating clinics, and facilitate knowledge sharing with the wider Consortium. The Consortium will connect the Chapter to its global network and provide opportunities for APAC-based clinics to access shared resources, exchange knowledge, and participate in international activities.
The Consortium is housed administratively at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). The partnership between TAF and the Consortium builds on a long-standing relationship between TAF and UC Berkeley and reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to academic exchange, policy, and institutional collaboration across Asia and the Pacific.
“Connecting university clinics across different regions creates valuable opportunities for students and faculty to learn from one another and contribute to the growing field of public interest in cybersecurity,” said Ann Cleaveland, co-Chair of the Consortium and Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity. “We’re thrilled to see the movement for cybersecurity clinics snowball around the globe and the innovation in clinical practice that comes with partners like The Asia Foundation and the APAC member clinics.”
The next phase of collaboration will include a Consortium-led masterclass on establishing cybersecurity clinics during the APAC Summit on MSME Cyber Resilience in Singapore in early 2027. Additional plans include joint faculty research on clinical pedagogy and practice, and student and faculty exchanges.
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About The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is an international nonprofit organization working to solve the toughest social and economic challenges in Asia and the Pacific. Informed by more than 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, TAF works with partners across more than 20 countries to improve lives and expand opportunities.
About the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics
The Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics is a global network advancing hands-on cybersecurity education and public service through higher-education-based cybersecurity clinics. Housed at the UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, the Consortium connects clinics and practitioners to share resources, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration. Catalyzed by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and scaled by Google.org, with key support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Okta for Good, the Consortium has grown from four founding clinics to over 70. In just five years, its member clinics have trained over 6,400 students who have served nearly 1,900 clients across five continents. Learn more at cybersecurityclinics.org.
About the APAC Cybersecurity Fund
The APAC Cybersecurity Fund is a program of The Asia Foundation, supported by Google.org, designed to strengthen inclusive and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystems across Asia and the Pacific. The program supports micro and small businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises through cyber hygiene training, policy research, stakeholder engagement, and the development of university-based cybersecurity clinics across 13 countries.
