Cutting the ribbon on innovation: Donation powers new cyber command center on SEMO’s campus

A new Cyber Command Center officially opened on Oct. 25 on the lower level of Dempster Hall, marking a pivotal development in cybersecurity education.

The ribbon-cutting brought together university officials, industry leaders and students to celebrate the launch of the new state-of-the-art facility, designed to equip the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Director of the Institute of Cybersecurity and Professor of computer science Mario Garcia said the main objective of the new Cyber Command Center is to prepare students studying cybersecurity for outcomes they’ll face in the job field.

“The main objective is always service to the students, to prepare students in a way that they find similar things they would find when applying for a job when they are doing a job. We are going to prepare in this center students with the skills, the certifications, the training, the experience that they are going to need in a company, in a government, industry, etc,” Garcia said.

Garcia said, that in collaboration with IBM, students will be able to work together to practice preventing cyber-attacks and utilize the technology in the center for their studies.

Computer science professor Mario Garcia led the demonstration in Dempster Hall.Photo by Taylor Slavens

The new Stamp Cyber Command Center features three types of cyber consoles; a 27-foot display wall, an observation room, and faculty to help students with their studies.

The establishment of the new Cyber Command Center was made possible through a donation made by Alumni Charles Stamp. According to a news release released by SEMO ahead of the center's opening, Stamp graduated from SEMO in 1971, and he is passionate about helping the cybersecurity program expand.

“I feel strongly about helping this program mature and helping it as it grows and expands. I’m excited about that,” Stamp said. "The opportunity to work with students and build upon a more significant learning experience for them is something I’m thrilled to be a part of and participate in”

While Stamp was unable to attend the opening ceremony, University President Carlos Vargas opened the ceremony in the lower level of Dempster Hall Friday morning.

Vargas said the progress of the Cyber Command Center, while finalized with Stamp’s donation, was helped along with a grant from the state of Missouri.

University President Carlos Vargas cuts the ribbon on the new Stamp Cyber Command Center.Photo by Taylor Slavens

Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education Bennett Boggs also spoke at the ceremony. Boggs stated that SEMO is the first university to offer a four-year cybersecurity degree.

“We are fortunate to have Southeast Missouri State University here, the first university to offer a four-year degree in cybersecurity and seek the recognition and accreditation to assure the students and employers that the graduates here will have hands on and specialized experience, along with ethical and legal training to prepare them for immediate industry impact,” Boggs said.

The event concluded with a demonstration of how the facility can protect against cyber attacks, showcasing the impressive technology the facility features.

The new cyber command center represents a major step forward in the University’s commitment to cybersecurity education. With strong backing from industry partners, the facility is set to become a vital resource for students and faculty alike.