Schools are prime targets for cyber attacks, yet most students graduate without real-world cybersecurity skills. Jay James shares how Auburn University built a student-led SOC—and how K-12 can adapt the model.
3 Takeaways:
• Curiosity and passion matter more than prior experience.
• AI can train and mentor students in real time.
• Every school can start with small, practical cybersecurity projects.
Vocabulary
- SOC: Central hub for monitoring and stopping cyber threats.
- Phishing: Tricking users into giving sensitive data.
- AI Literacy: Teaching safe and ethical AI use in cybersecurity.
Resources from Today’s show:
- Jay’s Blog: https://leadershipjay.com/
- Jay on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipjay/
- EDUCAUSE (Higher Ed IT/Cybersecurity): https://library.educause.edu/topics/cybersecurity/security-operation-center-soc
- Microsoft Security Operations Toolkit: https://microsoft.github.io/SOC/
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Jay James – Guest Bio as Submitted
Jay James is a cybersecurity professional and technology educator who currently serves as the Cybersecurity Operations Lead at Auburn University. In this role he leads the cybersecurity student worker program, where students gain hands-on learning through real-world experiences that also help protect the university. The program blends security operations and mentorship to give students practical, high-impact exposure. It also integrates AI tools into their daily workflows, preparing them to navigate the evolving tech landscape. Jay also serves as an adjunct faculty member and cybersecurity instructor at several institutions, further supporting student growth in and out of the classroom. Through this approach, he is developing cybersecurity professionals who are job-ready and mission-driven from day one.
Blog: https://leadershipjay.com/
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipjay/
Transcript:
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