CyROC Opening

Since the ribbon cutting only a few weeks ago, the state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center (CyROC) has quickly become a showcase facility for Emporia State University’s campus.

Just as important, as Leticia Rust explains, it’s getting the public’s attention.

“We have had so much traffic and so much interest because of that,” said Rust, CyROC’s director. “People are noticing and wanting us to come talk.”

Located in Cremer Hall, CyROC’s construction was funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and $1.1 million from the state of Kansas. The center includes renovated lecture space and an ultramodern computer lab for ESU students that also is available to community members and middle- and high-school students in a variety of camps, retreats and other learning opportunities.

On Jan. 19, Rust joined ESU administrators and faculty for the opening ceremony that included Dr. Ed Bashaw, dean of the School of Business + Technology, and three lawmakers instrumental in securing the center’s funding: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas state Sen. Jeff Longbine and Kansas state Rep. Mark Schreiber. More than 80 people attended the ceremony.

For those lawmakers “to take something so new and have the foresight and the respect for Emporia State to move that forward is huge,” Rust said.

Growing interest in cybersecurity and CyROC’s publicized opening have kept Rust busy this winter and spring. She recently spoke to students and teachers in two local school districts, including Emporia High School’s District 253; gave a presentation at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting; and has been asked to speak on cybersecurity issues at an Emporia-area church. In April, an ESU professor will attend the Kansas Association of Healthcare Executives meeting in Topeka for a panel discussion on cybersecurity response and how hospitals can mitigate the risks of cybersecurity attacks. Rust has also had a discussion with Schreiber regarding cybersecurity training for Kansas legislators.

For ESU students interested in the multitude of cybersecurity-related jobs available today — roles as analysts, consultants, network engineers, software developers, systems administrators, cloud security analysts and chief information security officers — CyROC is a crucial tool to help them reach their academic goals. For the greater public, CyROC will be an invaluable resource regarding modern cybersecurity practices. Based on the response Rust has received in just a few short months, it is a resource many need and are excited to have.