ASU RSOC Reaches 100 Municipal Cybersecurity Clients in Just 3 Years

SAN ANGELO, TX - Angelo State University's Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC) has onboarded its 100th municipal cybersecurity client, reaching the milestone in just three years since it officially opened on campus in January 2023.

A component of ASU's Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute (KBHI), the RSOC provides cybersecurity services to local, regional and state entities with the goal of strengthening the region's cybersecurity posture. Eligible clients include city and county governments, school districts, water districts, hospital districts and regional state agencies.

While its individual clients cannot be named for security reasons, the RSOC's coverage area starts in counties surrounding San Angelo and extends north into the panhandle and west all the way to El Paso. Nearly 40,000 computers and 75,000 networked devices are protected by the RSOC staff and student analysts under the direction of Russell Ezzell, RSOC manager.

"This monumental milestone highlights the exceptional leadership of Russell Ezzell and the entire RSOC team," said Dr. Scarlet Clouse, KBHI director. "Onboarding 100 clients did not happen by accident, but instead, is the result of the RSOC's strategic vision to create cyber-secure communities throughout Texas. This powerful impact stretches well beyond the borders of the Angelo State campus, as student analysts also graduate with hands-on industry experience in a live security operations center environment that is second to none."

RSOC services include real-time network security monitoring, network security alerts, immediate incident response, guidance on implementing cybersecurity policies, and cybersecurity education and awareness programs. Staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the RSOC utilizes industry-leading endpoint protection, logging, monitoring and alerting capabilities.

Additionally, the RSOC employs paid ASU student interns, allowing them to gain marketable cybersecurity work experience while helping deliver valuable services to RSOC customers. Interns also have access to online cybersecurity and network certificate training.

Angelo State was selected by the Texas Department of Information Resources to operate the state's pilot RSOC in April 2022. Currently housed in the ASU Vincent Building, the RSOC will move to the newly-acquired Nexus at Angelo State facility once renovations are completed.