How LSU and TekStream Are Solving the Cybersecurity Talent Gap with Student-Run SOCs
In this episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV, host Katie Bavoso sits down with Craig Woolley, CIO of Louisiana State University (LSU), and Rob Jansen, CEO of TekStream Solutions, to explore how a bold partnership between higher education and private industry is closing the cybersecurity talent gap.
Channel Insider: Partner POV · Craig Woolley, Rob Jansen, Katie Bavoso
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Show Notes
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
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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.
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