A Security Operations Center Powered by Students

Campus Technology Insider Podcast

The Campus Technology Insider podcast explores current trends and issues impacting technology leaders in higher education. Listen in as Editor in Chief Rhea Kelly chats with ed tech experts and practitioners about their work, ideas and experiences.


Growth in the cybersecurity industry is quickly outpacing the number of skilled workers available to fill the need, with estimates putting the global cybersecurity workforce gap at more than 3 million people. That shortage of IT talent is particularly acute in higher education, where salaries and benefits often can't compete with the corporate sector. In light of those issues, the University of South Carolina Aiken recently found a creative way to staff a new security operations center — and give students hands-on cybersecurity training at the same time. We spoke with Ernest Pringle, vice chancellor for Information Technology and CIO at USC Aiken, about creating a student-led SOC, helping students put cybersecurity theory into practice, forging regional cybersecurity partnerships, and more.

Resource links:

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 29 minutes

Transcript

Ways to Listen

Campus Technology Insider is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and Stitcher. Subscribe today or listen at campustechnology.com/podcast.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • college students sitting with laptops at an outdoor table

    How Colleges Are Building More Connected and Responsive Student Support

    Colleges are making steady progress in building more connected and responsive student support systems. By aligning services and improving coordination, institutions are enhancing both the student and staff experience.

  • Abstract digital cloudscape of glowing interconnected clouds and radiant lines

    Cloud Complexity Outpacing Human Defenses, Report Warns

    According to the 2026 Cloud Security Report from Fortinet, while cloud security budgets are rising, 66% of organizations lack confidence in real-time threat detection across increasingly complex multi-cloud environments, with identity risks, tool sprawl, and fragmented visibility creating persistent operational gaps despite significant investment increases.

  • Woman in tech, illuminated by blue data light

    Transforming Research Data Management for Greater Innovation

    Institutions that want to maximize their research investments need a strategic management approach that balances preservation, accessibility, and security and satisfies stakeholders' needs at the same time.

  • Wireless network and connection abstract data background with wifi symbol

    Georgetown Partners with Cisco on Large WiFi 7 Rollout

    Georgetown University is working with Cisco on a multi-year network revamp that will implement WiFi 7 across the institution's classrooms, dorms, stadiums, and beyond.