Georgia Cyber Center

Georgia Cyber Center
Name	Georgia Cyber Center
Location	Augusta, Georgia
Established	2018
Type	Cybersecurity training and innovation center
Affiliation	University System of Georgia; Augusta University

Georgia Cyber Center The Georgia Cyber Center is a state-supported cybersecurity training, education, and innovation hub located in Augusta, Georgia. Opened with collaboration among the State of Georgia, University System of Georgia, and regional partners, the center serves as a nexus for workforce development, research, and public–private engagement in cybersecurity. It hosts students, entrepreneurs, federal agencies, and private firms to accelerate applied cybersecurity capabilities, economic development, and resilience across United States critical infrastructure sectors.

History

The Center’s genesis followed strategic planning by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Board of Regents, with construction timed to coincide with national initiatives such as the Cybersecurity National Action Plan and expansion of the U.S. Cyber Command workforce emphasis. Groundbreaking drew participation from the Office of the Governor of Georgia, local leaders in Augusta, Georgia, and officials from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The facility opened amid partnerships with institutions including Augusta University, the University of Georgia, and technical colleges from the Technical College System of Georgia. Over time, it has hosted delegations from the National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and private companies such as Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and Raytheon Technologies.

Facilities and Campus

The complex occupies a renovated historic property proximate to the Savannah River, integrating classroom space, secure labs, and incubator offices. Onsite facilities include high-assurance labs modeled after architectures used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and testbeds compatible with standards from the Center for Internet Security. The campus accommodates simulation suites for scenarios involving Transportation Security Administration-style logistics, Department of Energy-related industrial control systems, and financial transaction environments similar to those overseen by the Federal Reserve System. Tenant spaces have housed startups backed by accelerators linked to Georgia Tech and corporate partners such as Amazon Web Services and IBM.

Mission and Programs

The Center’s mission aligns with objectives promoted by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education and workforce recommendations from the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. Programs span certification pathways endorsed by entities like CompTIA and vendor curricula from Cisco Networking Academy, while offering policy and leadership workshops drawn from frameworks used by the Council on Foreign Relations cyber policy forums. Outreach initiatives coordinate with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and regional economic development bodies to address talent shortages identified by reports from the Pew Research Center and Brookings Institution.

Education and Training

Education offerings include degree collaborations with Augusta University School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, workforce certificates co-developed with the Technical College System of Georgia, and bootcamps emulating models from SANS Institute and EC-Council. The Center hosts K–12 outreach modeled after the National Science Foundation STEM pipelines and partners with programs like FIRST Robotics Competition and Code.org to cultivate early interest. Student competitions such as National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and capture-the-flag events attract teams from institutions including Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Mercer University, and Spelman College.

Public-Private Partnerships

Public–private collaboration is central, bringing together contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, and Leidos with state agencies including the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Corporate sponsorships have enabled incubator programs drawing mentors from Deloitte, PwC, and venture investors aligned with Techstars and 500 Startups. Partnerships extend to federal research collaborations with the National Science Foundation and procurement liaisons through the General Services Administration to transition prototypes into operational use.

Research and Innovation

Research activities engage faculty from Augusta University, researchers with joint appointments at Georgia Tech Research Institute, and entrepreneurs from the incubator community. Projects have addressed topics found in publications by IEEE, ACM, and the Journal of Cybersecurity, encompassing secure microarchitecture, threat intelligence sharing consistent with MITRE ATT&CK frameworks, and resilience of SCADA systems relevant to utilities regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Spinouts and startups have pursued federal SBIR/STTR awards administered by the Small Business Administration and commercialization support from the Economic Development Administration.

Governance and Funding

Governance is provided through agreements among the University System of Georgia, the State of Georgia, and local stakeholders, with operational input from partner institutions including Augusta University and regional economic entities. Funding sources combine state appropriations approved by the Georgia General Assembly, grants from the National Science Foundation, contracts with the Department of Defense, and private investment from venture funds and corporate sponsors. Oversight mechanisms reference procurement and audit standards similar to those used by the Government Accountability Office and financial reporting aligned with guidance from the State Auditor of Georgia.

Category:Cybersecurity centers in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Augusta, Georgia