Cyber News in SC
October 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Scott @ 850-556-1562 tom.scott@cybersc.us
COLUMBIA, SC – October 17, 2024 – CyberSC, in strategic collaboration with Apprenticeship Carolina, proudly announces the launch of the new CyberSC Apprenticeship Program. This innovative initiative aligns with the recently released 2025-2028 CyberSC Cybersecurity Cluster Strategy, aiming to build a robust pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals in South Carolina through targeted training and mentorship.
Building on the successful apprenticeship outreach at the 2024 Secure Carolinas Conference (www.cyberscevents.com) held last week in Columbia, SC, this program leverages momentum to further enhance the state’s cybersecurity workforce development. The conference served as a key platform for introducing the program to industry leaders, potential apprentices, and educational bodies, emphasizing the initiative's role in bridging the skills gap within the tech sector.
Program Details: Designed in cooperation with Apprenticeship Carolina and with the technical guidance from Safal Partners, the CyberSC Apprenticeship Program focuses on equipping participants with essential cybersecurity skills. The comprehensive curriculum includes hands-on training and real-world experience facilitated through partnerships with prominent firms throughout the state.
Highlights from the Secure Carolinas Conference: The outreach conducted during the conference showcased the opportunities within the cybersecurity field, allowing prospective apprentices to engage directly with future employers and explore various career paths within the industry (www.cyberscevents.com).
Launch Event: The official launch event will take place November 21st during Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month in Columbia, and is expected to be attended by significant stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including government officials, industry experts, and academic leaders. The event will detail the collaborative efforts of CyberSC and Apprenticeship Carolina and explain how the apprenticeship fits into the broader 2025-2028 CyberSC Cybersecurity Cluster Strategy.
Quotes from Leadership: Tom Scott, Executive Director of CyberSC, stated, "This apprenticeship program is a cornerstone of our newly outlined Palmetto Cybersecurity Cluster Strategy. By partnering with Apprenticeship Carolina, we are poised to significantly enhance the skillset of our workforce and secure South Carolina’s place as a leader in the national cybersecurity landscape."
"Apprenticeship Carolina is proud to collaborate with CyberSC on this groundbreaking apprenticeship program. By integrating real-world experience with targeted training, we're not just filling jobs—we're building a strong, future-focused cybersecurity workforce for South Carolina. This initiative exemplifies how strategic partnerships can work to close the skills gap and fuel our state's growth in the tech sector."
“CyberSC is joining a rapidly growing number of statewide organizations that understand the need to build sustainable pipelines of tech talent to meet both immediate and ongoing workforce needs,” said Katie Adams, Chief Delivery Officer with Safal Partners. “We are proud to support CyberSC in launching their new program.”
Interested individuals and companies are encouraged to discover more about this transformative initiative and its potential impact on cybersecurity in South Carolina.
Contact: For additional information about the CyberSC Apprenticeship Program or details on upcoming events, please visit www.cybersc.us or contact Tom Scott at 877-627-7117.
About CyberSC
CYBERSC, the platform created to house the South Carolina Cyber Foundation and the South Carolina Cyber Association, is a volunteer-led, staff-managed initiative with a focus on expanding the conversation about cyber around the Palmetto state.. CyberSC is an affiliate member of CyberUSA. Learn more at cybersc.us.
About Apprenticeship Carolina
Apprenticeship Carolina™, a division of the SC Technical College System, is South Carolina’s leader in registered apprenticeship programs, driving economic growth for businesses and communities alike. Through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, Apprenticeship Carolina promotes registered youth, adult, and pre-apprenticeships. As a trusted resource for employers, Apprenticeship Carolina helps create, maintain, and optimize apprenticeship programs. Dedicated to building and strengthening career pathways, Apprenticeship Carolina is committed to enhancing South Carolina’s workforce for both present and future needs.
About Safal Partners:
Safal Partners is a mission-driven consulting firm working at the nexus of education and workforce. The firm serves the U.S. Department of Labor in expanding and modernizing Registered Apprenticeship through several U.S. DOL contracts and grants, including as a U.S. DOL National Industry Intermediary.
About Cybersecurity Career Week
Cybersecurity Career Week is a campaign to promote the discovery of cybersecurity careers and share resources that increase understanding of multiple learning pathways and credentials that lead to careers that are identified in the Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework). During this week, academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government will work to build awareness about the wide range of cybersecurity job opportunities, educate interested individuals on how to develop capabilities to qualify for cybersecurity roles, and showcase how building an international cybersecurity workforce enhances each nation’s security and promotes economic prosperity.
June 2024
In May 2024, CyberSC, South Carolina’ trusted nonprofit organization in the field of cybersecurity, announced it would provide annual financial support to the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief (CIB), Coastal Carolina University’s nationally known student-led experiential initiative.
For nearly 10 years, the CIB has helped hundreds of students refine their ability to gather, analyze and present information in accordance with techniques used in the intelligence profession. Its members have gone on to serve in every agency of the United States Intelligence Community, as well as in the private sector.
In recognition of the growing importance of cybersecurity, the CIB launched its Cyber and Transnational Desk in 2016. Since then, CIB analysts have consistently collected, analyzed, and presented critical information relating to the cyber domain in a variety of settings. Notably, the CIB’s Applied Intelligence Project has undertaken research on cybersecurity topics under the supervision of the National Security Agency and the United States Secret Service. The CIB operates under the umbrella of the Center for Applied Intelligence at Coastal Carolina University, with Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis as its faculty mentor.
Established in 2018, the South Carolina Cyber Association (CyberSC) is a statewide, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that serves the cybersecurity ecosystem through advocacy, education and building community. Among its many tasks, CyberSC serves as a trusted community for companies that view cybersecurity as a strategic issue to receive actionable resources and connect with their peers. CyberSC is led by Executive Director Thomas Scott, with the support of a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of experienced executives from a variety of local and global businesses, organizations, academic institutions and agencies.
As of May 2024, CyberSC has agreed to support the CIB’s work in cybersecurity collection, analysis and dissemination by awarding the group an annual donation of $1,200. The CIB will utilize these funds to expand its activities in support of student mentoring and skill acquisition.
CIB faculty mentor Joseph Fitsanakis praised the students whose sound work attracted the attention of CyberSC. “Countless students have worked over the years to raise the profile of the CIB in our region and across the United States. The support from CyberSC affirms the value of the CIB in the education of our youth, when it comes to emerging threats to national security. We are grateful to CyberSC for its support”.
CyberSC executive director Thomas Scott
For more information about CyberSC visit www.cybersc.us.
For more information about the CIB visit www.cibrief.org
CyberSC Partners with Centurion Cyber Training to Train Next-Generation SOC Analysts at South Carolina State University
CyberSC, in collaboration with Centurion Cyber Training Solutions, is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking training cohort aimed at developing skilled Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts through the SRESFS program at South Carolina State University. This initiative is designed to equip students with critical cybersecurity skills and hands-on experience necessary to protect our nation’s infrastructure from sophisticated cyber threats.
The new program is part of a strategic effort to prepare students to become frontline defenders against escalating cyber-attacks from global adversaries. Participants in the program, drawn from diverse educational backgrounds, will undergo comprehensive training to become Tier 1 SOC analysts, providing essential services to small critical infrastructure organizations targeted by foreign threats.
Program Highlights:
· Intensive Training: Students will receive training on various cybersecurity tools and platforms, including Netography, Open Source Analyst Tools like Abuse IPDB, Alien Vault, Virus Total, and more.
· Real-World Experience: Interns will work in a structured environment similar to commercial SOCs, where they will report to Tier 2 analysts and handle real cybersecurity incidents under close supervision.
· Supporting Small Infrastructure Organizations: Students will directly contribute to the defense of small critical infrastructure entities that play a pivotal role in maintaining the nation’s backbone but often lack the resources to fend off sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Statement from CyberSC: "We are thrilled to partner with Centurion Cyber to offer this unique opportunity to the bright minds at South Carolina State University," said Tom Scott, Executive Director at CyberSC. "This program not only builds critical cybersecurity capacity but also empowers a new generation to protect our nation from significant cyber threats."
Statement from Centurion Cyber Training: "It is hard for students coming out of our universities and community colleges to get real-world hands-on experience before graduating, said Jonah Wisch, Director of Centurion Cyber Training Solutions, "Our SOC analyst training program gives students the access to apply their knowledge and skills with live data from critical infrastructure partners. There are very few programs like this and the other ones out there gatekeep to students in specific states or universities. We can work with anyone to get their SOC students or teams exposure to a day in the life of a SOC analyst."
About Centurion Cyber Training Solutions: Centurion Cyber Training is dedicated to providing hands-on cybersecurity training solutions that prepare individuals for their first SOC analyst role. Their programs put students in the role of Tier 1 Analyst and give exposure to security tools with live data from critical infrastructure across the country, giving students some skin in the game in the effort to protect our country from foreign threats.
For More Information: For more details on the Centurion SOC Analyst program or to learn more about the partnership, please visit www.cybersc.us or www.centurioncybertraining.com.
The SC Cyber Association , a 501(c)(6) non-profit that provides professional development and connection opportunities in the Palmetto State. |
The SC Cyber Foundation , a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides funding for cyber education in the Palmetto State. |
CyberSC is a member affiliate of CyberUSA |
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