South Carolina Advances Long-Term Cybersecurity Strategy With Launch of New Center at SCRA

South Carolina continued its steady, years-long investment in cybersecurity on Wednesday with the official launch of the new Center for Cybersecurity at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)—a major step designed to strengthen statewide protection against evolving digital threats.

The announcement marks the latest milestone in an ongoing effort that began in 2017 with the creation of the Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Group, an initiative focused on safeguarding essential services and building coordinated communication across agencies. That work expanded in 2024 with the development of South Carolina’s first statewide cybersecurity strategic plan, a roadmap outlining priorities, preparedness goals, and long-term resilience strategies.

Yesterday’s launch builds on that foundation.

According to state leaders, the new Center for Cybersecurity will serve as an innovation and coordination hub, supporting research, threat analysis, training, and collaboration between government, industry experts, and academic partners. By uniting these resources under SCRA, South Carolina aims to ensure agencies and organizations across the state have access to the latest tools and expertise needed to stay ahead of emerging cyber risks.

The Center will also focus on strengthening the defenses of critical infrastructure—energy, water, health, transportation, and other essential systems that rely on secure digital networks to function safely and reliably.

State officials emphasized that cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication, making proactive planning and statewide coordination essential.

“South Carolina has prioritized cybersecurity for years,” the announcement stated. “Yesterday’s launch reflects our commitment to protecting our citizens, our businesses, and our state’s infrastructure.”

The new Center for Cybersecurity is expected to enhance preparedness, improve threat response capabilities, and support innovation in one of the most rapidly evolving areas of public safety and economic security.

Additional details on the Center’s programs, partnerships, and next steps will be released in the months ahead.