ASCND Cyber Launches in Mercersburg: Bringing Elite Cyber & AI Expertise Home to Empower Franklin County

Written By ASCND-CYBER .

ASCND CYBER LLC is thrilled to announce its official launch in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Led by 35+ year industry veteran and US Army Military Intelligence Veteran Eric J. Belardo, ASCND Cyber arrives as a bold catalyst for local economic growth, high-tech career creation, and community-wide empowerment in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

With Pennsylvania’s cybersecurity jobs projected to grow 28% through 2032—much faster than the national average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)—and more than 514,000 cybersecurity positions currently open nationwide (CyberSeek/CISA), ASCND Cyber is positioned to bring these high-demand, high-wage opportunities directly to Franklin County. While traditional firms focus on what to fear, ASCND CYBER is focused on where we can go. By establishing its headquarters in Mercersburg, the firm aims to turn South Central Pennsylvania into a primary destination for the 2026 tech economy, ensuring that local talent and businesses don’t just survive the digital age—they lead it.



Empowering the Franklin County Workforce

ASCND CYBER isn’t just opening an office; we’re opening doors. Our mission is to transform local potential into global-standard expertise through:

  • High-Impact Job Creation: Immediate opportunities for cybersecurity analysts and strategists, building a vibrant tech ecosystem right here at home.

  • The Veteran Pipeline: Specialized pathways designed to translate military intelligence experience into elite, high-paying roles in the private sector—veterans are uniquely aligned with AI-resilient careers like cybersecurity (Hire Heroes USA & Redeployable 2026 report).

  • Future-Ready Partnerships: Working alongside regional leaders to ensure Franklin County residents are the most competitive workforce in the state.

Fueling AI Confidence: Partnering with the Future

In a world of noise and hype, ASCND CYBER is “Unlocking the Machine.” We believe Artificial Intelligence is the ultimate partner for human creativity. Recent data shows AI has created far more roles than it displaced (119,900 new AI-related jobs in 2024 vs. 55,000 jobs lost to AI through 2025 – Oxford Economics & Challenger, Gray & Christmas), and only 25–34% of jobs in nearby Pennsylvania metro areas are exposed to generative AI (Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia 2025). We are dedicated to moving the conversation from apprehension to advantage:

  • Human-Centric AI Strategy: Clear, engaging training that shows business owners how AI can supercharge daily workflows and reclaim time.

  • Smart Security Guardrails: Replacing “AI anxiety” with “AI confidence” through refined protocols that enable secure, bold innovation.

  • Predictive Advantage: Utilizing AI-driven intelligence to stay two steps ahead, ensuring clients always have the upper hand.

Advancing Community Tech Literacy

We believe the next generation of digital leaders is sitting in local classrooms today. ASCND CYBER is committed to vocational-technical excellence through:

  • Curriculum Collaboration: Aligning local technical training with the actual demands of the 2026 AI and Cyber markets.

  • Hands-On Mentorship: Offering students direct exposure to elite-level risk management and AI-enhanced defense strategies.

  • Closing the Experience Gap: Creating a “fast-track” from graduation to a high-tech career, ensuring a seamless ascent for local students.

    “Franklin County is built on a legacy of industrial strength and resilience,” said Eric J. Belardo, Founder of ASCND CYBER LLC. “After 35 years in global digital defense, I’m bringing that elite experience home to evolve our local strength into a digital powerhouse. We aren’t here to talk about threats; we’re here to talk about opportunity. By demystifying AI and prioritizing technical education, we’re making sure our community owns the future.”

    About ASCND CYBER LLC

    ASCND CYBER LLC is a premier cybersecurity and AI strategy firm based in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA. Founded by Eric J. Belardo—a veteran intelligence professional and architect of the ASCND Method—the company provides refined digital protection and strategic workforce development to secure and supercharge the future of Pennsylvania’s business community.

    For more information on career opportunities or to schedule a strategic consultation, visit https://ascndcyber.com.

ASCND-CYBER .