Officials from academia, state and local government, and the U.S. military gathered on the Gulf Coast on Tuesday to break ground on the new Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center.
Leaders from Mississippi State University, the U.S. Air Force, the city of Biloxi, and Gov. Tate Reeves were on site at the 100,000-square-foot facility under construction adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base. The center will serve as the headquarters for the Mississippi Cyber Initiative, building upon a shared vision to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration across state, federal, academic, and industry sectors.
“This is a proud day for Mississippi State University, a proud day for our partners at Keesler, and a proud day for every Mississippian who wants to see our state thrive in the innovation economy of the 21st century,” Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum said. “Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a national security priority, a workforce imperative, and a driver of economic growth. And Mississippi is leading the way.”
Designed by Dale Partners Architects with AnderCorp serving as the lead contractor for construction, the facility will include the Mississippi Cyber Initiative’s central offices, an event center, Air Force training spaces, and secure offices for private industry partners.
MSU Research and Technology Corp. will manage the building, which is expected to open in 2027. Funding for the project was made possible by the state legislature, along with a private donation from Mississippi Power and Southern Company. The Mississippi Cyber Initiative was launched in 2021 as an outgrowth of MSU projects to support Keesler’s robust cyber training mission.
Since launch, the initiative has grown its unique partnerships, establishing a digital forensics lab supporting more than 50 law enforcement partners, hosting cyber exercises through its internal cyber ecosystem, offering K-12 outreach to develop future cybersecurity leaders, and convening quarterly summits for stakeholders across academia, government, industry, and defense.
“This building represents our commitment to staying ahead in the cyber domain in an era when it is of critical importance to everything we do,” Col. Christopher Robinson, commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler, said. “We’re excited for our future together and what we will accomplish. We will pave the way for a more secure and prosperous future.”
Officials, through this initiative, have also partnered with federal agencies to host cyber tabletop exercises focusing on key sectors such as healthcare and maritime operations.
