TekStream to Talk Leveling Up SOCs for Workforce Development at Spunk’s .conf25

Leading IT solutions provider to share insights from Workforce Academy program and partnerships with Splunk, LSU and NJIT

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TekStream, a cybersecurity and IT solutions leader, is bringing its Workforce Academy program to Splunk’s .conf25, which will take place in Boston from September 8 to 11. The company is also a sponsor of the event.

The company will host a session on Wednesday, September 10, at 10:30 am ET titled, Leveling Up the SOC: Workforce Development for Tomorrow’s Threats. During the panel discussion, TekStream’s Biplab Panda, Engagement Director and Micah Champagne, Security Analyst will be joined by Craig Woolley, Associate Vice President and CIO at LSU and Sharon Kelley, CISO at New Jersey Institute of Technology to discuss how LSU, NJIT, TekStream and Splunk are pioneering a workforce development model that leverages student analysts and industry experts. Session attendees will learn how this approach benefits universities, students and the cybersecurity industry.

During the session, TekStream will also introduce its Workforce Academy and the impact it has in addressing the critical cybersecurity talent shortage by providing hands-on training for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, especially students and veterans. The Academy offers a structured, immersive learning experience that goes beyond traditional, theory-heavy training to give real-world exposure to security operations, threat detection, and engineering workflows. The four-level Associate Security Analyst Certification program guides students from entry-level tasks to advanced SOC responsibilities using a tiered approach based on their "Pyramid of Pain" model. The program is already in place at several campuses, including Louisiana State University (LSU) and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

“We’re excited to showcase our new Workforce Academy at .conf,” says Rob Jansen, CEO of TekStream. “Current cybersecurity needs and the workforce shortage demand a new solution. We’re happy to be leading the way with the help of our partners at Splunk, LSU and NJIT.”

Additionally, TekStream’s Workforce Academy provides personalized cybersecurity career counseling to help students transition from classroom learning to professional careers. Built on TekStream's innovative, shared SOC approach, the Academy combines workforce development with real-time operations, allowing states to strengthen their cyber defenses while building local talent pipelines and reducing costs. The program is designed to create measurable outcomes, including reduced staffing costs, enterprise-level performance standards, and graduates who can contribute effectively from day one.

“TekStream’s Workforce Academy offers a truly unique solution for cybersecurity, creating a new, improved pipeline for industry talent while also providing universities, government and public entities to deploy high-quality, affordable cybersecurity programs,” said Craig Woolley, CIO at LSU. “We’re thrilled to be an early partner with TekStream on this new initiative – paving the way for a new, stronger cybersecurity industry.”

Members of the TekStream team will be available at booth S7 and at the awards ceremony. Additionally, TekStream is hosting a party at PuttShack on Tuesday, September 9. For more information, attendees can visit their booth to secure an invite.

About TekStream

TekStream, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, helps clients accelerate digital transformation by navigating complex technology environments through a combination of technical expertise and staffing solutions. Named a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Co-Managed Security Monitoring Services, TekStream provides proven processes and methodologies to help companies with legacy systems migrate to the cloud faster, enabling them to become more agile, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiencies. Focused on collaboration, shared intelligence and workforce development, TekStream’s unique Whole-of-State cybersecurity approach addresses public sector vulnerabilities. Built on TekStream’s Splunk-powered MDR services, the model combines workforce development with a cost-deferment strategy that empowers organizations to maintain long-term ownership of their programs. With hundreds of successful deployments, TekStream guarantees on-time and on-budget project delivery and proudly maintains a 98% customer retention rate.