Sturnella Brings Free Cybersecurity Certification Support to Uinta County

Sturnella, a cybersecurity governance advisory firm based in Evanston, will now offer free study support and office hours for anyone preparing to take the CC Certified in Cybersecurity exam from ISC2  this year. This offering is a direct result of founder Sydnie Beckman’s participation in Jumpstart Evanston in Spring 2026.

“JumpStart is a remarkable program,” says Beckman. “It is eight weeks of free, structured business education that is run entirely by volunteers who give their time because they believe in this community. That's not nothing. That's a genuine act of investment in the people around them.”

Beckman was inspired to give back to the community in the same way the Jumpstart volunteers did. She will share her expertise with people and organizations who need it, while also raising awareness of what her business does – helping resource, mining, critical minerals, and defense companies navigate the cybersecurity requirements that come with going public and ensuring they stay SEC-compliant. Beckman’s effort made her one of the three winners of the Jumpstart 2026 pitch competition. 

Beckman Has a Background in Cybersecurity and Banking

Beckman spent a year studying gold, silver, uranium, and critical mineral equities before founding her firm in January 2026. Her background is in investment banking and capital markets, while her cybersecurity expertise makes her an asset to mining, resource, and defense companies across the state.

“The combination of capital markets fluency and cybersecurity expertise makes our firm useful to the CFOs and General Counsels we serve,” says Beckman. “It's a niche, but it's a real one, and I built it here.”

Jumpstart Came At the Right Moment for Sturnella

Beckman had been working on her idea for Sturnella for the past year, but Jumpstart sharpened her vision and gave her a clear path forward.  

“I had to articulate what I actually do, who I serve, and why it matters — in front of people who would ask hard questions,” says Beckman. “There's real value in that kind of accountability, especially when you're building something from scratch.”

Beckman will use the Jumpstart funds to purchase a sponsored exam fee for the ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) for a local resident who passes the CC exam and a laptop for teaching. The CISSP is a three-hour computerized adaptive exam consisting of 100–150 questions, with a passing score of 700 out of 1,000.

“JumpStart gave me a direct example of what giving back in a small community actually looks like in practice,” she adds. 

Beckman Plans to Grow in Wyoming

Beckman is committed to Uinta County and wants her business to remain here. She can assist companies in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona as they navigate cybersecurity and compliance challenges.

“The Cybersecurity office hours this spring, the internship program we're building — those are deliberate,” she says. “I'd like Sturnella to be part of that fabric in this town for a long time. The goal isn't to outgrow Evanston. The goal is to build something worth staying for.”

Congratulations, Sydnie Beckman and Sturnella, for winning the 2026 Jumpstart Evanston pitch competition! We cannot wait to watch you grow and continue making a difference in the community.