In addition to helping bring greater internet access to underserved rural communities throughout Alabama, AUBix, the new data center opening in Auburn, will provide a benefit to Auburn University's McCrary Institute, which will be able to further its cybersecurity mission by partnering with the company.
Auburn University's McCrary Institute is at the forefront of research and analysis on cybersecurity, critical infrastructure and other national security related issues.
Andrew Albrecht, co-founder and CEO of AUBix, said it's wonderful that the company is partnering with the McCrary Institute in a relationship that will benefit both entities.
"That's the partnership you're looking for because the academia is going to test and test and test, theorize and test," said Albrecht, who added that the data center's infrastructure is built to exceed industry standards for cybersecurity. "And we're going to bring massive quantities of data, cybersecurity analysis, the CARS platform we just announced — that Cyber Analysis and Range Simulator. One, we're going to be capturing, with all these networks, a whole lot of bad actors on the internet, and that's a massive data set we'll be analyzing.
"We'll invite the McCrary School of Cybersecurity, focused on infrastructure, to come be a part of that."
Frank Cilluffo, director of the McCrary Institute, said from their standpoint the partnership can serve to advance the institute's mission as a "think+do tank that seeks practical solutions to real-world problems."
"With our focus on policy, research and education, a partnership with an operational center such as AUBix will allow us to bring current threat information and defensive practices into Auburn's classrooms and teaching labs," said Cilluffo in an email to The Villager. "And in turn take concepts developed in the classroom and translate them into ‘real world’ capabilities. While the partnership opportunities are manifold, my hope is to provide a living, learning, hands-on environment for our students and faculty."
Alabama U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over cybersecurity in the country, also spoke at Monday's ceremony and said it was not surprising that AUBix chose to locate its business in Auburn.
"It's no surprise to me that AUBix would pick this community to put this facility because Auburn University has really been a cutting-edge leader in cybersecurity technology for our country and the world," said Rogers, who added that the partnership between AUBix and Auburn University will help fill the cybersecurity gap found in the vulnerabilities of the nation's commercial entities. "I think all of you realize that we're in a new age now where cybersecurity, cyber threats, are something we have to recognize and deal with. This facility is going to help in our efforts to protect ourselves."
In addition to gaining hands-on opportunities for students and researchers with its partnership with AUBix, Auburn University may also be able to take advantage of more federal contracts.
"There's a new federal requirement a couple years old that has to do with data security, and for us to be able to partner and link to be able to do a better job and to grow our research, particularly in the contract period, it's absolutely critical for us." said Auburn University President Jay Gogue. "I just want to say we look forward to a great partnership."
Cilluffo noted how important AUBix will be to both the university and region as a whole.
"The data center is a key ingredient to bringing high-speed internet connectivity, businesses, and jobs to parts of Alabama that historically have been bypassed by the explosive growth of the Internet," he said. "By locating a best-of-class facility in Auburn, we can provide our students with a very unique perspective of 'how the Internet works' and prepare them for future leadership roles across the state and nation in the operation and protection of critical infrastructure."
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