NEWS

Louisiana Tech University has established the Security Operations Center, designed to enhance cybersecurity defenses while offering advanced educational opportunities for students. With a $122,000 hardware contribution from the Louisiana Board of Regents, the project strengthens the University’s ability to protect its IT infrastructure while equipping students with skills for the rapidly-evolving cybersecurity industry.

The SOC will function as a central hub for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats 24/7, ensuring the protection of the University’s critical assets and sensitive data. Additionally, the SOC serves as a unique educational platform, providing students with hands-on training through internships and collaborative cybersecurity research.

Darrell Eddy, project manager and strategic planning coordinator for Louisiana Tech’s Division of Information Technology, led the design and development of this transformative initiative. With over 26 years of service to Louisiana Tech, Eddy has played an integral role in shaping the University’s IT capabilities. His experience in information technology ensures that the SOC was built to the highest standards of security and technological advancement.

“My goal for this project is to build something adaptable to the University’s evolving needs: a fully functional Security Operations Center that will protect our information technology and users while dynamically responding to the ever-changing threat landscape,” said Eddy.

Dr. William Brad Gleason, associate professor of computer science and principal of the Cyber Applied Innovation Laboratory, serves as the lead instructor for students involved in the SOC. His expertise in digital forensics, information assurance, software engineering, and applied computing science ensures that students will receive rigorous and cutting-edge training. By incorporating theoretical education with gamified cybersecurity challenges, Gleason’s instruction gives students a competitive edge as they enter the cybersecurity job market.

“This SOC is a major leap forward in safeguarding our digital environment while simultaneously enriching our students’ education in one of the most critical fields of our time,” said Dr. Thomas Hoover, Louisiana Tech CIO. “Darrell Eddy’s leadership, combined with the support of TekStream, Amazon Web Services, CrowdStrike, and the Louisiana Board of Regents, guarantees the success of this initiative.”

Dr. Majd Tahat, who designed the training pipeline to prepare students for live operations and who will help launch a dedicated SOC Analysis course, oversees day-to-day incident response, student mentoring, and industry partnerships.

“This SOC is more than a lab; it’s a real-world training ground,” Tahat said. “It’s a launchpad for careers, research, and leadership, and it’s a shield that protects our campus every day. All of that, and we’re just getting started.”

The funding provided by the Louisiana Board of Regents plays a critical role in outfitting the SOC with state-of-the-art technology, enabling real-time monitoring and threat detection. The SOC will also comply with essential regulatory requirements, including FERPA, HIPAA, and GLBA, to ensure the security and privacy of university systems.

Key Objectives of the SOC:

• Enhance cybersecurity operations through continuous, real-time monitoring and response.
• Provide students with hands-on experience and professional development through SOC internships.
• Support academic research in cybersecurity through collaborations between students, faculty, and industry professionals.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity regulations and industry standards.
• Strengthen the University’s resilience against cyber incidents and improve business continuity.

An open house event during the first week of May gave university personnel a firsthand look at the new SOC space on campus and the technology within. The collaboration of the University’s IT operations and the computer science program represents a significant step in both securing the University’s digital assets and enhancing Louisiana Tech’s educational programs in cybersecurity.