Cybersecurity

Boise State Announces Partnership with Stellar Cyber

• By Matt Jones
• 03/08/22

Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, recently announced a partnership with Stellar Cyber to adopt a new cybersecurity program for one of its institutes. The university’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity will use Stellar Cyber's Open XDR Platform as a means of accelerating learning, increasing the number of graduates and offering Security-as-a-Service to rural and remote areas of the state, according to a news release.

“The cybersecurity market has evolved rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic, especially when it comes to identifying and developing talented cybersecurity personnel—and providing them an environment where they can make an impact, be challenged and feel successful,” said Edward Vasko, CISSP, Director, at the Boise State Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity. “Today, Boise State and Stellar Cyber have teamed up to help our partners and our customers resolve these critical challenges.”

Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR Platform will be used both as a teaching tool and the center of the university’s Cyberdome. The Cyberdome is a cyber initiative from Boise State that acts as a collaborative hub for competency-based training as well as reduces cyber risk across rural communities. The Open XDR platform offers an easy-to-use dashboard and built-in multi-tenant facilities for an integrated experience.

The city of Sun Valley, Idaho, has already signed up for a Security-as-a-Service relationship with the university. “Cities and public agencies across the country are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated ransomware attacks, and we want to be fully prepared to address them,” said Walt Femling, City Administrator at the City of Sun Valley. “Boise State’s new Cyberdome program enables us to outsource our cybersecurity preparedness and enhance our protection against such attacks.”

The Open XDR Platform offers tools like Network Detection and Response (NDR), Security Information Event Management (SIEM) and Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP), as well as integration with third-party tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDRs).

“We see our platform as a great fit for universities that want to accelerate learning and give their students real-world experience in managing cybersecurity operations. As a national leader in cybersecurity education, Boise State leverages the Stellar Cyber platform to expand educational opportunities and significantly expand its student base to meet the critical nationwide demand for cybersecurity professionals," said Stellar Cyber Chief Revenue Officer Jim O’Hara.