The Public Sector Show by TechTables #197: LSU's $7.5M Student-Powered SOC + NJIT's Life-Saving Analytics + Illinois' Creative Data Applications Powered by Splunk [EDUCAUSE 2024]
#197: LSU's $7.5M Student-Powered SOC + NJIT's Life-Saving Analytics + Illinois' Creative Data Applications Powered by Splunk [EDUCAUSE 2024]
Brought to you by:
SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.
Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!
Featuring:
Craig Woolley, Chief Information Officer at Louisiana State University (LSU)
Kim Milford, Chief Information Security Officer at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ed Wozencroft, VP for Digital Strategy and CIO at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Mary Lou Prevost, Group Vice President | US | State, Local Government and Education at Splunk
What You’ll Learn:
Student-Powered SOC: A Revolutionary Education & Security Model
How LSU created a scalable "student-powered" SOC model that provides real-world cybersecurity experience while enhancing institutional protection
The unique public-private partnership with Techstream that enables 24/7 security operations while students work regular business hours
State-level buy-in with $7.5 million in recurring funding that has expanded the model to over 20 institutions across Louisiana
Developing the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals
How the model creates a direct pipeline to industry with the first cohort of students all receiving job offers before graduation
The critical "six-week" timeline from student hiring to SOC frontline deployment, meeting the urgent need for cyber talent
Why both LSU and NJIT open their programs to students of all backgrounds, not just IT or cybersecurity majors
Expanding Data Analytics Beyond Security
University of Illinois' creative applications of Splunk beyond security - from analyzing email marketing performance to library resource utilization
How IT data helped locate a student in crisis at NJIT, demonstrating the life-saving potential of security analytics platforms
The power of data visualization in communicating cybersecurity threats to government officials and securing institutional buy-in
Building Consensus in Decentralized Universities
The patient, collaborative approach to cybersecurity policy development with faculty at LSU through regular committee meetings
University of Illinois' strategy of absorbing security costs centrally rather than charging departments to ensure wider adoption
How cross-institutional partnerships amplify security capabilities through shared threat intelligence
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:58) Meet the innovators: HigherEd leaders transforming cybersecurity
(00:02:00) LSU's game-changing SOC model: Where university security meets workforce development
(00:05:40) Addressing the 2.3 million cyber job gap: "We have to solve this talent challenge"
(00:07:40) NJIT's bold vision: Expanding the student SOC model across New Jersey's institutions
(00:11:00) Beyond security: University of Illinois transforms email analytics and library services
(00:16:15) Data saves lives: How network analytics prevented a campus tragedy at 2AM
(00:22:50) "All three have job offers already": The remarkable ROI of student-powered security
Connect
🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/
🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste
🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/
📽️ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@techtables
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:
1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.
Join now: https://www.techtables.com/
2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.
CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory
3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at joe@techtables.com
Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe