Cal Poly Pomona Secures $200,000 NSF HSI Grant to Launch Student-Run Security Operations Center
Cal Poly Pomona has been awarded a $200,000 National Science Foundation Hispanic Serving Institution Instrumentation Grant to establish a student-run Security Operations Center (SOC), marking a major milestone in the university’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity education. This initiative will provide students with invaluable, hands-on experience in real-world cybersecurity scenarios, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.
Titled “HSI: ELPSE Enhancing Cybersecurity Education through Real-World Security Operations Training,” the project’s primary objective is to enrich the cybersecurity curriculum by incorporating the latest SOC equipment, empowering students to engage directly in cybersecurity operations and develop skills to counteract emerging cyber threats.
"This grant is a transformative opportunity for our students,” said Olukemi Sawyerr, associate vice president of Academic Innovation and principal investigator of this project. “By establishing a student-run SOC, we are not only enhancing our cybersecurity curriculum but also providing our students with the tools and experiences they need to thrive in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.”
Co-principal investigators supporting Sawyerr include Mohammad I. Hussain, computer science professor; and Indira R. Guzman and Weijun Zheng, both assistant professors of computer information systems.
Key collaborators on this project include Alex Hardwood, associate vice president of advanced computing and chief technology officer; Curtis Carpenter, director of advanced computing; and Tamer Omar, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
This project will also contribute to research in cybersecurity education by examining the impact of a student-run SOC on participants’ professional identities as emerging cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, it will explore the IT/Cybersecurity workforce culture and behavioral information security among program participants.
Beyond its academic implications, the project will engage over 11,000 STEM students in experiential learning through the SOC. It will also support STEM and non-STEM students participating in regional, national, and global cybersecurity competitions.
Sawyerr credits the unwavering support of several key individuals with helping to make the initiative a success, including Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Terri Gomez, chief information officer and vice president in the Division of Information Technology & Institutional Planning John McGuthry, Computer Information Systems Department Chair Drew Hwang, and Shari Jackson, executive lead for grants and contracts administration in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
The development of this SOC represents a significant step forward in supporting the career and professional development of Cal Poly Pomona students, Sawyerr said. It not only enhances the university’s cybersecurity curriculum but also solidifies Cal Poly Pomona’s position as a leader in cybersecurity education, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the future.