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Luis Marin and Brian Grier, both members of the class of 2026, are on the front lines of a battle to protect organizations from potentially devastating cyber-attacks. And they are doing this essential work right from the ������ý campus.

Luis and Brian intern at BSU’s Security Operations Center (SOC). The SOC provides real-time threat monitoring as well as consulting services to organizations throughout Massachusetts.

“It feels like real life,” said Brian, a cybersecurity major and Asian studies minor from Milford. “This is not a simulation. We have real clients. Every day of the week we’re solving problems that they deal with.”

The center is part of a comprehensive program to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. BSU also boasts a state-of-the-art cyber range where students and professionals train using simulated scenarios. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the rapidly growing field.

The SOC, which opened its permanent space on campus in December, is co-sponsored by BSU and the nonprofit CyberTrust Massachusetts, which strives to grow and diversify the cyber workforce.

“By integrating students directly into real-world cybersecurity operations in a real SOC environment, we’re not only enhancing their educational experience but also contributing significantly to the security and well-being of our local communities,” said BSU President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83.

CyberTrust Massachusetts hires students like Luis and Brian for paid internships where they work alongside professionals in serving the SOC’s clients. Those clients currently include an array of municipalities and school districts, with plans to expand to other sectors.

BSU is a strong partner in this effort because of its growing cybersecurity curriculum, said Jeff Cassidy, director of cybersecurity operations for CyberTrust Massachusetts.

“We’re glad to support what they’re learning in the classroom with hands-on experience,” Cassidy said.

That is critical to landing a job after graduation, said Brian, who progressed into a more advanced internship where he is helping mentor new interns.

It is also rewarding to make a positive impact in the community while still in school, Luis said.

Luis, who completed an associate degree in cybersecurity from Bunker Hill Community College, transferred to ������ý State specifically to enroll in the cybersecurity major.

“BSU is thinking about the future,” he said. “They see where the technology is going. With this program, they are preparing so many professionals.”

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