What is TSOC

The Teaching Security Operations Center (TSOC) at the University of Oregon offers an unparalleled, hands-on learning experience for students pursuing cybersecurity within the Computer Science Department. As a signature course, TSOC immerses students in a real-world, fully operational Security Operations Center (SOC), where they rotate through critical SOC functions and gain practical expertise in defending against today's evolving cyber threats. Each activity is thoughtfully integrated into the broader cybersecurity curriculum, ensuring that students not only learn foundational theory but also apply their knowledge in real-time scenarios.

By bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, TSOC uniquely equips students with the skills, experience, and confidence needed to excel in the growing field of cybersecurity. Whether it’s identifying vulnerabilities, responding to incidents, or monitoring threats, students are empowered to make a tangible impact while preparing for in-demand roles in the cybersecurity workforce. TSOC also supports a growing number of experimental research and capstone projects in cybersecurity by facilitating the deployment of cutting edge solutions in an operational setting in a safe and privacy preserving manner.

TSOC services are provided in partnership with major cybersecurity vendors.

Importance of TSOC

TSOC provides valuable hands-on learning experiences for cybersecurity students at the University of Oregon, bridging classroom theory and techniques with real-world professional skills. This immersive training equips students with the expertise needed to excel in cybersecurity roles and ensures they are well-prepared for high-demand, high-paying positions both regionally and nationally. For example, approximately 265,000 cybersecurity positions are unfilled across U.S. companies and government agencies (Dice). The average annual salary for cybersecurity professionals is more than $130K (ZipRecruiter).