USC Aiken Breaks Ground on $30M Cyber Integration Center with SC National Guard

The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA), in partnership with the South Carolina National Guard, has broken ground on a new $30 million Cyber Integration Center (CIC) on its campus. This state-of-the-art facility, expected to be completed in 2026, will span 18 acres and include classroom space, training areas, and operational suites designed to serve cybersecurity experts from private, government, and academic sectors. The CIC will support education and training for over 400 USCA cyber majors and more than 100 South Carolina National Guard cybersecurity and signal soldiers, providing hands-on mentorship and real-world experience. Additionally, the project includes a Readiness Center to support training and logistics for two Guard units, functioning as the initial phase in their cyber mission training. The center is strategically located near the Savannah River National Laboratory and Fort Eisenhower, aiming to enhance regional cybersecurity collaboration and services for local governments and industries. University and state leaders emphasize the center's role in advancing national cyber defense capabilities and workforce development.