OmniSOC and the Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC) are formally aligning their efforts to deepen collaboration and better support the cybersecurity needs of the higher education and research community. This announcement was shared during the REN-ISAC annual member meeting on May 22, 2025.

While the two organizations remain distinct in identity, they are working more closely under a unified leadership model to streamline operations, enhance service coordination, and optimize the use of collective resources and expertise. The OmniSOC service brand and all of its capabilities will remain fully intact within this aligned structure.

What This Means:

• No Service Interruptions: All current OmniSOC services continue uninterrupted, with no change in quality or availability.
• Continuity of Support Teams: The professionals supporting participating institutions will remain unchanged.
• Unchanged REN-ISAC Member Benefits: Existing benefits provided through REN-ISAC remain fully in place.
• Operational Consistency: Day-to-day interactions with both OmniSOC and REN-ISAC will remain consistent.

Why This Alignment?

This strategic move is designed to strengthen and simplify operations across both organizations to more effectively serve the cybersecurity needs of higher education:

• Unified leadership for greater strategic cohesion
• Tighter coordination between threat intelligence and operational response
• Enhanced resource sharing to expand capabilities and improve response time
• Simplified processes for improved efficiency and clarity

This evolution builds on the longstanding partnership between OmniSOC and REN-ISAC and reflects a shared commitment to advancing cybersecurity for the research and education sector. The goal is to bring together complementary strengths, without disrupting the service quality or trusted relationships both organizations are known for.

Colleges and universities of all sizes face cyber threats, but smaller schools and minority-serving institutions often don’t have the same resources to respond. With limited staff, tight budgets, and growing compliance demands, it can feel like you’re always playing catch-up. That’s where REN-ISAC comes in. It was built for higher education and understands the unique pressures on campuses like yours. For schools looking to strengthen their cybersecurity without stretching already thin budgets, REN-ISAC offers practical, affordable support that makes a real difference.

REN-ISAC: Why it’s a smart move for smaller and minority-serving institutions (MSIs)

• Fits tight budgets
  • Sliding-scale membership fees are pegged to enrollment, so a 1,500-student college pays far less than a flagship university. One fee covers everyone on campus—no per-seat surprises.
• Kick-start your security program in just two days
  • The “Information Security Kickstart” engagement brings REN-ISAC experts on-site (or virtual) for a day-and-a-half of hands-on coaching, policy reviews, and tabletop drills—built specifically for understaffed, underfunded schools.
• Tap a 24 × 7 security operations center without building one
  • OmniSOC monitoring and hosted SIEM let you outsource log collection, correlation, and alert triage to higher-ed specialists, saving the hardware, licensing, and staffing costs of an in-house SOC.
• Early warnings you won’t get on your own
  • Shared threat-intel feeds (malicious IPs, domains, ransomware TTPs) plus daily watch reports flag attacks trending across the sector—often before commercial feeds catch them.
• Peer knowledge on issues MSIs face
  • Private lists, webinars, and regional workshops make it easy to swap playbooks with cybersecurity staff at other HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, HSIs, and small liberal-arts schools.
• Built-in compliance guidance
  • Assessments map your controls to NIST 800-171, GLBA, FERPA, HIPAA, and more, giving smaller teams a clear, prioritized to-do list.
• Grant-friendly support
  • REN-ISAC experts help weave security requirements into NSF and other research proposals—useful when external funding keeps the lights on.
• Vetted trust community
  • All members pass a background check, so you can share incident details or ask “rookie” questions without them hitting social media.
• Voice at the national table
  • REN-ISAC represents higher ed—including MSIs—in cross-sector cyber discussions with CISA, EDUCAUSE, Internet2, and other policy bodies.

Smaller and minority-serving institutions don’t need to go it alone. With REN-ISAC, they gain access to the same level of cybersecurity insight, tools, and support that larger schools rely on—without the high cost or complexity. It’s not about buying another service. It’s about joining a trusted community that looks out for each other and shares what works. For colleges working hard to do more with less, REN-ISAC is a smart move.

We are pleased to announce the members on your 2025 Steering Committee, as elected by you. After holding Steering Committee elections, we have added three new committee members who are eager to represent our community (newly elected members noted in bold).

• Frank Barton, Husson University
• Paul Drake, Notre Dame
• Tim Goth, Indiana University
• Emily Harris, Montclair State
• Jesse Moore, University of Washington
• Joel Rosenblatt, Columbia University
• Ian Washburn, University of Notre Dame
• Eric Zematis, Lehigh University 

We’d like to say a huge thank you to our departing member, John Virden. He served with distinction for two years, providing excellent knowledge, perspective, and strategic thinking.

Join us in person for this year’s OmniSOC Con 2025, an immersive two-day event focused on collaboration, insight, and strategy across the higher education and research security landscape.

Dates: August 13–14, 2025

Location: Big Ten Conference Center, Rosemont, IL

 Who should attend OmniSOC Con 2025?
This year’s conference returns in person to the Big Ten Conference Center, bringing together cybersecurity and technology professionals from higher education and research institutions nationwide. More than just a conference, OmniSOC Con 2025 is a gathering place for the community that drives our collective cybersecurity efforts forward.

Attendees can expect:

> Interactive workshops designed for hands-on learning and skill development
> Breakout sessions led by peers from OmniSOC member institutions
> Panel discussions featuring respected leaders in higher ed cybersecurity
> Networking opportunities with professionals and thought leaders
> Strategic insights into managing cybersecurity programs at institutional scale

Whether you’re deep in the trenches of technical implementation or navigating the broader challenges of leadership and governance, this year’s focus is clear: people are the foundation of effective cybersecurity. Sessions will reflect this priority, exploring not just technical challenges, but also the professional growth, team dynamics, and organizational strategies that make success possible.

Registration is now open, and once signed up, participants will be able to choose their preferred breakout sessions from the forthcoming program.

Click here to register for OmniSOC Con 2025

Who Should Attend?

OmniSOC Con is open to professionals in cybersecurity and IT across the higher education and research community. If your work touches any aspect of institutional security—whether it’s threat intelligence, incident response, policy, or leadership—this event is designed for you.

We’re looking forward to attending the Internet2 Community Exchange in Anaheim, California, from April 28 to May 1. If you’ll be there, say hello!

Representing our REN-ISAC team will be:

Anthony Newmann, Executive Director

Chip Conner-Rondot, Chief of Engagement & Presenter

Shane Albright, Principal Security Engineer & Presenter

Kyle Enlow, Information Security Assessment and Advisory Services (ISAAS) Program Manager& Presenter

Alpha Diallo, Business Development Lead

We’re always happy to connect with colleagues, members, and peers—don’t hesitate to stop by the REN-ISAC/OmniSOC table and say hello or look for us over the course of the conference. Whether it’s to discuss ongoing work, share insights, or simply catch up, we look forward to seeing you in Anaheim.

If your schedule allows, we also invite you to attend these sessions from our team:

Getting the Most Value from Information Security Assessments

Presented by Kyle Enlow

Thursday, May 1 | 1:40 PM – 2:30 PM

This session will offer practical guidance for making the most of external assessments and audits, with takeaways drawn from real-world experience supporting research and education institutions.

Incident Response Tabletop Exercises: They’re Not Just a Game

Presented by Shane Albright

Thursday, May 1 | 2:40 PM – 3:30 PM

Learn how tabletop exercises can strengthen your incident response plan, improve coordination across teams, and increase your organization’s resilience to security risk. Shane will also briefly discuss REN-ISAC’s tabletop services.

We hope to see you there!

Cyber threats are an ongoing challenge for higher education and research institutions, making collaboration and information-sharing more critical than ever. REN-ISAC plays a key role in strengthening cybersecurity across these sectors, serving as a trusted alliance that helps institutions stay ahead of evolving risks.

By following REN-ISAC on LinkedIn, you can stay informed about the alliance’s role in cybersecurity for higher education and research. Whether you’re part of an institution, work in the field, or simply have an interest in cybersecurity, REN-ISAC’s LinkedIn page provides updates on the work being done to protect critical academic and research infrastructure.

Cybersecurity is stronger when knowledge is shared. Follow REN-ISAC on LinkedIn and stay connected to the ongoing efforts that help secure the future of higher education and research.

https://go.ren-isac.net/linkedin

Cyber threats continue to evolve, making it more important than ever for higher education and research institutions to stay informed and prepared. The REN-ISAC Member Meeting (RIMM) 2025 offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable cybersecurity insights, engage in peer-driven discussions, and strengthen your institution’s security posture. This members-only event is designed to provide practical solutions, updates on REN-ISAC services, and the chance to connect with cybersecurity professionals from across the community.

Event Details

• Where: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore, MD

• When: Thursday, May 22, 2025

• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

What to Expect

> Updates on REN-ISAC services

> Peer-led discussions on real-world cybersecurity challenges

> Insights to strengthen institutional security

> Networking with top cybersecurity professionals from the REN-ISAC community

If you have valuable insights to share, submit a proposal or volunteer as a discussion leader before March 14 at 11:59 PM ET.

For more details and to secure your spot, visit REN-ISAC RIMM 2025.

REN-ISAC is partnering with SANS to offer SEC511: Cybersecurity Engineering – Advanced Threat Detection and Monitoring. This live, online-only course covers:

• Defensible security architecture
• Network security monitoring
• Continuous diagnostics and mitigation
• Continuous security monitoring

Designed for cybersecurity professionals in education, this course helps strengthen institutional security and threat detection.

Learn more and register: https://www.sans.org/partnerships/sled/events/ 

Did you know? 

REN-ISAC and SANS have long collaborated to provide affordable, high-quality cybersecurity training for higher education and K-12 institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Through the Aggregate Purchase Program, institutions can save over 50% on SANS courses.

Purchase Windows: 

> June 1 – July 31
>  December 1 – January 31

Institutions can buy training credits for a wide range of courses to keep cybersecurity teams ahead of emerging threats.
Flexible Training Options:

• Online Training: OnDemand (self-paced) or Live Online (instructor-led).
• NetWars Continuous: Gamified, hands-on cybersecurity challenges.
• Security Awareness Training: For end users, healthcare professionals, developers, and engineers.

Why Participate?

• World-Class Training: Learn from top cybersecurity experts.
• Significant Cost Savings: Train more staff within budget.
• Stronger Security Posture: Equip teams with cutting-edge skills.

Look for announcements to membership for reminders of the aggregate purchase windows. 

February 2025 brought exciting new REN-ISAC membership benefits and services. We updated our online resources to enable single sign-on (SSO), allowing you to use one password for all REN-ISAC services. We also enabled multi-factor authentication to ensure the security of our membership community

We know that information sharing enhances higher education’s overall security standings. To encourage increased member collaboration, we also launched a member’s Slack instance where you can chat with colleagues, Steering Committee members, and REN-ISAC staff.

Members, if you have not set up your SSO

• Look for an email regarding your REN-ISAC SSO account and begin the process of updating your account.
• Visit our SSO account set-up page for step-by-step instructions.
• Set up Slack.
• Contact us if you have any issues.

Not a member? We offer these and many other services to our membership organizations. Contact us for more information on how to get involved with REN-ISAC.

With these new services, we look forward to serving you better.

The Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC), a trusted cybersecurity resource for nearly 800 higher education and research institutions worldwide, has entered an exclusive partnership with ITsavvy. This collaboration is aimed at improving cybersecurity defenses for colleges and universities while addressing the unique challenges faced by the academic sector.

REN-ISAC serves as a critical hub for cybersecurity threat intelligence, analysis, and collaboration. By partnering with ITsavvy, REN-ISAC will provide its members with access to advanced IT solutions, tailored to enhance institutional resilience and operational security. The agreement includes discounted IT products and services, enabling member institutions to allocate resources more effectively while safeguarding their academic and research missions.

The partnership emphasizes key areas to support member institutions, including:

> Proactive cybersecurity measures to protect academic and research data.

> Integrated IT infrastructure services to improve efficiency and adaptability.

> Scalable solutions to address emerging and evolving cyber threats.

> Customized IT procurement tailored to the needs of higher education institutions.

This collaboration reflects REN-ISAC’s ongoing commitment to empowering its members with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. By working closely with ITsavvy, REN-ISAC strengthens its ability to support the higher education community in responding to threats while fostering a culture of security and innovation.

“REN-ISAC’s mission is to bolster cybersecurity in higher education and research institutions, and this partnership represents a significant step forward in that effort,” said Anthony Newman, Executive Director of REN-ISAC. “By providing members with access to cutting-edge IT solutions, we are ensuring that our institutions can continue their critical work in a secure environment.”

The partnership ensures members receive access to ITsavvy’s wide-ranging expertise in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, along with exclusive pricing and tailored services to address institutional needs. This collaboration aligns with REN-ISAC’s mission to support its members in safeguarding their operations while advancing knowledge and innovation.

For more information, please email info@ren-isac.net.

Not a member of the REN-ISAC? Become a member today.

The REN-ISAC is proud to partner with ITsavvy, a leader in providing tailored IT infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions. Through this collaboration, REN-ISAC members gain access to discounted IT products and services specifically designed for the unique needs of higher education and research institutions. A percentage of sales from ITsavvy’s services directly supports REN-ISAC’s mission, helping us provide valuable resources and keep membership costs low. By utilizing ITsavvy’s solutions, you not only enhance your institution’s cybersecurity and operational resilience but also contribute to the growth and sustainability of our community.