How LSU and TekStream Are Solving the Cybersecurity Talent Gap with Student-Run SOCs

Together, they’ve launched a student-run Security Operations Center (SOC) that gives students real-world cybersecurity experience while keeping LSU secure 24/7 on a responsible budget. Learn how the initiative is expanding nationwide, offering a scalable, public-private blueprint for workforce development in cybersecurity.

📌 Topics Covered & Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction to LSU x TekStream Solutions partnership 

01:12 – Why LSU wanted a student-run SOC 

03:23 – How TekStream helped build a sustainable hybrid model 

04:49 – Why TekStream embraced a public-private partnership 

06:10 – Mentorship, hiring pipeline, and career development 

08:30 – Cybersecurity threat landscape for universities 

10:10 – Real-life threat detection success story 

14:08 – Open to all majors: critical thinking over technical skills 

18:44 – How students apply and onboard into the SoC 

22:24 – The franchise model for universities nationwide 

26:04 – Splunk and AWS’s role in supporting the program 

29:01 – Advice for other schools that want to replicate this model 

30:22 – TekStream’s customer verticals and mission 

33:03 – How to get in touch with TekStream and LSU to learn more

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.