SEMO holds ribbon cutting ceremony for new cyber command center

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – SEMO will host IBM’s first university cyber command center west of the Mississippi River.

State and school leaders say this will help cybersecurity students prepare for their future careers.

“There are so many cybersecurity jobs available today, and there simply aren’t enough people to fill them,” said Melissa Long Dolson, IBM representative.

Dozens of university professors, state leaders and more packed Dempster Hall on Friday, October 25, to witness the unveiling of the Charles Stamp Cyber Command Center.

The facility was built with the help of IBM to strengthen its cybersecurity program.

Long Dolson said the facility will provide students with essential cybersecurity training and education.

“This is going to give us so many opportunities to drive more cybersecurity professionals into our community, as well as create more opportunities for those kids who are right now in elementary school, no, who are thinking about computer science and they love their games.” she said.

SEMO’s cyber defense team captain, Samuel Brucker, told us that the software training will give them an edge over other schools.

“There are very, very few, if any, universities that will be able to match us in this regard. It’s incredible. We are very excited,” Bucker said.

He thanked university leaders and state officials for making it happen.

“The result is the best training we’ve ever seen that we can do in the regular season, the best training we’ve ever seen. So thank you all very much for your hard work,” he said.

Long Dolson is looking forward to what the future holds with the addition of the new command center.

“I like to see that we keep those skills and capabilities in our local communities. I love seeing the opportunity to create more of this and lead more people to see what a great state we live in,” she said.