Advanced security industry group announces training initiatives, launches website: New Carolina’s ASTRA cluster aims to grow SC’s strengths in cyber security

An alliance of advanced security industry leaders and technology professionals in South Carolina has announced new workforce training initiatives designed to strengthen South Carolina’s existing security cluster. Two training programs focused on cyber security will be offered in the Lowcountry to help build a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of advanced security businesses.

The Advanced Security Technology Research Alliance (ASTRA) brings together business leaders, academia, industry leaders and technology professionals and seeks to promote South Carolina’s existing cyber security industry and increase South Carolina’s leadership and innovation within the sector. ASTRA was formed under the guidance of New Carolina, the statewide group working to build targeted industry clusters across South Carolina and raise the per capita income of all South Carolinians.

ASTRA has received a $50,000 grant from the Trident Workforce Investment Board to offer two training programs in the Charleston area in Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Security, from SOA Systems, Inc., and Security+, from CompTIA. These certification programs allow workers to display competency in areas such as system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security.

“Cyber security is now a top priority for the United States, as evidenced by the government’s recently announced cyber military command,” said Dan Neason, an ASTRA board member and vice president of Modus21, a high-tech consultancy based in Mount Pleasant.

“Charleston is already a strategic spot for information assurance and cyber security with SPAWAR [Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center] and a large community of defense contractors in the area.”

Nearly all U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security agencies are represented in the Lowcountry. With one of the nation’s largest ocean ports and military airlift bases, and a growing medical research center, Charleston has become a hub of research and development, practical testing and pilot initiatives for a range of cyber security technologies.

“We’ve got a workforce well-positioned to meet the cyber security demand,” said Neason. “However, cyber security requirements change quickly, so the workforce must have access to training. This is why ASTRA has focused on training—we want to help keep the region ahead of competition.”

ASTRA is working with local universities and education providers to create additional training and certification opportunities for employees of ASTRA members.

ASTRA has also launched a website, www.astra-newcarolina.org, to help raise the profile of the alliance and communicate more effectively with ASTRA members, stakeholders and the public.

“The new website will give us a way to get information about ASTRA into the hands of as many people as possible, so that we can build the advanced securities cluster, create awareness throughout the entire state, and ultimately help create jobs,” said Jack Moore, ASTRA co-chair and director of Navy Programs Atlantic for Odyssey Systems, a technical and management consulting service provider. “The website will also help us create awareness in the industry about South Carolina’s many advantages for advanced security companies.”

ASTRA is conducting a survey of companies within the advanced security technology industry. To take the survey, visit www.astra-newcarolina.org/ASTRAsurvey.html.

About New Carolina
New Carolina – also known as SC’s Council on Competitiveness – is a public-private partnership working to increase per capita income and enhance South Carolina’s economic competitiveness through a cluster development strategy. Visit www.newcarolina.org for more information.

About ASTRA
The Advanced Security Technology Research Alliance seeks to create within South Carolina a united voice and message on cyber security capabilities and needs to foster an environment where cyber security professionals can most effectively develop their skills, market the collective government-industry partnership and provide sound and timely solutions to national cyber security challenges.