New Jersey Institute of Technology Prioritizes Experiential Cybersecurity Learning

TekStream Partnership Enhances Cybersecurity & Workforce Development

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), one of the nation’s leading public polytechnic universities, is located in Newark, NJ and serves over 13,000 students with the support of approximately 2,000 faculty and staff. NJIT is known for its deep commitment to research, innovation, and workforce readiness, and it places a strong emphasis on experiential learning—giving students hands-on experience that prepares them to lead in the technology-driven economy of the 21st century. 

As cybersecurity threats grew and costs soared, NJIT sought a solution that could both protect institutional assets and provide real-world learning opportunities for students. While building an internal SOC aligned with their educational goals, it wasn’t sustainable operationally; the number of analysts required was unattainable in the current labor market. 

The answer was a public-private partnership with TekStream and Splunk—a Workforce Development Program that enables NJIT to deliver world-class cybersecurity while immersing students in a collaborative, real-time security environment. This model allows NJIT to pioneer a new kind of cybersecurity education that blends academic rigor with industry-grade experience, all without compromising on cost or mission. 

Technology Used

Splunk

Splunk Enterprise Security
Splunk Cloud
Splunk SOAR

Project Pain Points

Security + Workforce Demands

Security + Workforce Demands NJIT needed to improve its cybersecurity defenses while also preparing students for real-world careers in a rapidly growing field.

Skills Gap in Education

Skills Gap in Education Traditional academic paths weren’t giving students the hands-on experience employers expect in today’s cybersecurity job market.

Evolving Threat Landscape

Evolving Threat Landscape Modern threats require more agile, robust cybersecurity programs to protect institutional data and stay ahead of attackers.

Solution Objectives

Through a public-private partnership with TekStream and Splunk, NJIT implemented a cutting-edge cybersecurity program that delivers unparalleled protection for the university while also training a new generation of cybersecurity professionals. The program is built on TekStream’s Workforce Development model and leverages Splunk’s best-in-class security technologies. 

The partnership delivers a working Security Operations Center (SOC) on the NJIT campus, staffed by students and guided by professional oversight from TekStream. Students are vetted and trained to operate in a real-world cybersecurity environment.  

This includes: 

  • Real-time exposure to active cyber threats 
  • Training in threat detection, analysis, response, and remediation 
  • Gaining Splunk certifications 
  • Learning the complexities of a modern SOC architecture 

Students are guided by cybersecurity experts and mentored as they progress through a structured, tiered training curriculum. This approach allows students to learn at their own pace and pursue career paths that match their ambition. 

Key Successes

  • Unparalleled Cybersecurity: NJIT benefits from a strong, continually evolving cybersecurity program powered by Splunk and supported by TekStream’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. 
  • Experiential Learning: Students learn by doing—watching, responding, and resolving real security incidents in real time. 
  • Career-Ready Graduates: Graduates leave NJIT with in-demand cybersecurity certifications, hands-on SOC experience, and the ability to work across disciplines. This sets them apart in the job market and qualifies them for advanced roles immediately after graduation. 
  • Cost Efficiency: The student-staffed SOC offsets the significant cost of building and maintaining a traditional standalone SOC. 
  • AI Integration: Students use AI to handle level 1 detections and are trained in how to overcome AI’s barriers to entry-level employment. 

NJIT is currently hiring 12 students into its campus-based SOC. The program began with 5–6 students and continues to scale. Students operate in a collaborative environment that fosters skill development, leadership, and critical thinking. They are monitored and trained in: 

  • Threat severity assessment 
  • Risk evaluation and blast radius 
  • Effective remediation 
  • Team-based collaboration 
  • Clear and appropriate communications 

The TekStream model ensures that students aren’t just observers—they are contributors and future leaders in cybersecurity. 

Splunk has named student-powered SOCs as one of its top predictions for 2025, and NJIT is a leading example of that vision becoming reality. The success of this program is informing similar efforts across multiple states and institutions. Through automation, threat intelligence sharing, consistent architecture, and tailored mentorship, the NJIT SOC program is more than a pilot. 

NJIT’s partnership with TekStream and Splunk represents the future of cybersecurity education. By combining state-of-the-art technology, expert oversight, and a flexible learning model, NJIT is protecting its own digital assets while launching the careers of the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. 

Problems Solved

  • Lack of experiential learning in traditional academic cybersecurity paths 
  • High costs of standalone cybersecurity programs 
  • Limited job opportunities due to AI reducing entry-level demand 
  • Shortage of trained, mid-level cybersecurity professionals 
  • Institutional risk due to evolving cyber threats 

With TekStream, it’s the first time I’ve ever met anyone who’s willing to say, you hire your students, we’ll train them and we’ll still take on the liability of protecting you. I don’t know anyone else that’s going to be willing to do that in this industry.

Ed Wozencroft, Vice President for Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer at New Jersey Institute of Technology

About The Company

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a leading public polytechnic university, prepares students for the technology-driven economy of the 21st century. With over 13,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, NJIT recognizes the critical need for a strong cybersecurity program, integrating research, industry partnerships, and hands-on learning to address evolving digital threats.

Company: New Jersey Institute of Technology

Location: Newark, NJ

Industry: Higher Education Institution

Revenue: $1.1B annually 

Read more about TekStream Security Services.