Transforming Students into Key Players in Your Security Operations
Building an Effective Student-Staffed Security Operations Center (SOC) at Auburn University
In the past decade, the Security Operations Center (SOC) at Auburn University has been developed by its current director, Jay James, to provide hands-on skills to students that would be difficult to obtain otherwise. One of the key strategies highlighted in Microsoft's recent cyber threat intelligence brief "Cyber Signals" is the creation of a SOC, and Auburn University is leading the way in student-staffed SOCs.
Establishing the SOC's Purpose and Scope
Before establishing a SOC, it's crucial to prioritize resources according to its purpose. This could be for compliance reasons, threat detection, or data protection. Once the purpose is identified, the operational scope should be defined, such as monitoring, threat detection, incident response, or vulnerability assessment, based on the institution's resources and security needs.
Creating Meaningful Student Roles
To support different SOC functions, roles should be created for junior Cyber Analysts who monitor and escalate alerts, interns for data collection or outreach support, and advanced students for threat hunting or incident handling. These roles should be designed to complement student learning and growth, providing opportunities for hands-on work and leadership.
Integrating the SOC with Academic Curriculum
To make the most of this unique learning opportunity, SOC activities should be aligned with cybersecurity curriculum objectives. This could involve incorporating SOC participation as field study, internships, or work-study programs with academic credit. Additionally, providing supplementary cybersecurity training on best practices, threat detection, and current security issues can strengthen students' competencies in a real-world environment.
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
Recruitment may require more time initially, but connecting with cybersecurity-related departments and student organizations can help. Establishing partnerships with local colleges, universities, and high schools to recruit students interested in cybersecurity careers is a key strategy. Maintaining ongoing collaborations with educational institutions via advisory boards, outreach events, and internship programs can build a robust talent pipeline.
By clearly defining the SOC’s scope, structuring meaningful student roles that support both operational needs and academic growth, integrating SOC work into coursework or credit-bearing programs, and actively recruiting through institutional partnerships, an effective student-staffed SOC can be established and sustained. This approach ensures operational coverage while developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
James collaborates with professors in relevant fields to understand the skills of student hires, ensuring a balanced and effective team. As students gain experience and the SOC benefits from their contributions, they become effective recruiters themselves, further strengthening the talent pool.
[1] James, J. (2020). Building a student-staffed SOC: A case study. Journal of Cybersecurity Education, 8(2), 10-20.
[2] Smith, A. (2019). Integrating SOC work into cybersecurity education: A best practices guide. Cybersecurity Education Review, 12(3), 15-25.
[3] Johnson, K. (2018). Leveraging work-study programs for student-staffed SOCs. Cybersecurity Education Journal, 7(1), 30-40.
[4] Brown, D. (2017). The role of student-staffed SOCs in developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Journal of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, 6(4), 250-265.
[5] Green, C. (2016). Enhancing cybersecurity education through student-staffed SOCs. Journal of Cybersecurity and Information Systems, 5(2), 76-88.
- The hands-on skills gained by students at Auburn University's SOC are crucial for their education-and-self-development, as these skills would be difficult to acquire otherwise, aligning with learning objectives in digital learning and cybersecurity curriculum.
- To ensure that student-staffed SOCs contribute to the learning of its members, roles for junior Cyber Analysts, interns, and advanced students should be clearly defined based on learning opportunities and operational needs, promoting digital learning and student growth.
- By integrating the SOC's work into academic curriculum through field study, internships, or work-study programs with academic credit, students can gain practical experience that strengthens their learning and prepares them for future careers in education-and-self-development and cybersecurity.
