BILOXI, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi and the U.S. Air Force marked a new era in cybersecurity research, training and collaboration.

The Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center, a 100,000-square-foot planned building on Keesler Air Force Base, will serve as the headquarters for the Mississippi State University (MSU)-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative, building on statewide collaborations to enhance state and federal cybersecurity capabilities.


Ole Miss program aims to boost safety at rural Mississippi schools

On Friday, January 10, leaders from MSU, the U.S. Air Force and the City of Biloxi, along with Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.), signed a joint proclamation for the state-of-the-art facility and collaborations that will support community and military needs.

“The Cyber Center will strengthen Keesler’s mission to train cyber warriors, and it will serve as a hub for academic achievement and economic development for cyber, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technology companies and agencies,” Reeves said. “In short, the future is here in Mississippi.”

“The Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center will fortify and strengthen Keesler’s mission and the Gulf Coast’s status as a national hub for cybersecurity expertise through training, research and outreach,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “It’s the perfect example of the power of partnerships and what we can accomplish by working together.”

Leaders from Mississippi State University, the U.S. Air Force and the City of Biloxi, along with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, signed a joint proclamation Friday [Jan. 10] for the state-of-the-art Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center and collaborations to enhance state and federal cybersecurity capabilities. Pictured from left are: Tammy O’Neill, representing the Air Force Civil Engineer Center; USAF Major Gen. Wolfe Davidson; Gov. Tate Reeves; Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich; USAF Col. Billy Pope, Jr. 81 TRW/CC; and MSU President Mark E. Keenum. (Photo by Sid Salter via MSU)MSU President Mark E. Keenum and Gov. Tate Reeves talk Friday [Jan. 10] at the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center Partnership Ceremony. (Photo by Sid Salter via MSU)MSU President Mark E. Keenum speaks with USAF Col. Billy Pope, Jr. (Photo by James Carskadon via MSU)A rendering of the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center, future headquarters for the Mississippi Cyber Initiative. (Courtesy: MSU)

The Mississippi Cyber Initiative was launched in 2021 as a continuation of collaborations between MSU and Keesler to support the 81st Training Wing’s cyber training mission.

The Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center will be built through an enhanced use lease agreement between the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center and the MSU Research and Technology Corp.