Regional Security Operations Center aims to enhance cyber protection in the CSRA

The University of South Carolina Aiken’s Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC) is leading the charge to improve cybersecurity infrastructure across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). By partnering with small-to-midsize governments, municipalities, school districts, and critical infrastructure facilities, the RSOC will provide essential cybersecurity services tailored to local needs.

Launched in March 2024, the RSOC is among the first of its kind in South Carolina. It offers cybersecurity students hands-on experience as Tier 1 Security Operations Center Analysts, giving them a competitive edge by preparing them for Tier 2 roles upon graduation. USCA has been recognized by Government Technology as one of the few institutions in the country with a regional security operations center on its campus, joining Angelo State University in Texas and Glendale Community College in Arizona.

RSOC’s comprehensive suite of services includes:

• Investigations and recovery support
• Information technology (IT) consultation
• Cybersecurity policy development 
• Penetration testing 
• Security awareness training 
• Email security compliance testing 
• Event log monitoring 
• Incident identification and response 
• Policy and regulatory compliance auditing and testing 
• Incident response planning 

“Our team can provide a tailored plan that addresses critical vulnerabilities for various facilities, cities, and towns,” said Chris Clark, USCA Director of Technology Services.

Through collaboration with the RSOC, partners gain access to a highly skilled team of IT professionals, faculty, and students who provide 24/7 monitoring and cyber response services.

One such student is Jacob Epps, a cybersecurity major currently working as a security analyst at RSOC.

“We monitor alerts and analyze what actions we can take to mitigate potential threats,” Epps said. “We also investigate suspicious emails or phishing attempts.”

Ronit Pawar, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in computer science, carries on a family legacy at the Center as the second member of his family to work there. He follows in the footsteps of his sister, Isha Pawar, a 2022 USCA graduate and one of the original students involved in launching the RSOC. She was primarily involved in identifying and responding to security threats, tracking compromised devices, investigating suspicious activity in student, staff, and faculty emails, and reviewing alerts.

She mentioned that she’s proud of her brother and remembers telling him what RSOC entailed. “Now, seeing him not only step into that space but also be mentored by Adam Boese, who was once my teammate, feels like a full-circle moment.”

Like Epps, Pawar’s brother actively monitors cyber threats and emphasizes the constantly evolving nature of the field. “The thing about the RSOC is that you get to learn new things all the time because so much is changing,” he says. “The same goes for malware and other cyber activities; you must stay proactive and look for ways to mitigate problems. The RSOC prepares you for the real world.”

Other USCA students, including Jerrod Houston, Sanika Bhate, and Kushal Mankar, are newer to the Center but already speak highly of the experience, citing the practical, hands-on learning as both valuable and engaging.

“Cybersecurity is a unique field that intersects with multiple disciplines, including human resources, finance, and legal services,” Clark says. “It’s not just about computers; it’s also about the people who lead and manage these systems.”

To learn more about how to protect your organization’s critical information, contact Chris Clark at (803) 641-3680 or [email protected].

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at [email protected].