In May 2024, CyberSC, South Carolina’ trusted nonprofit organization in the field of cybersecurity, announced it would provide annual financial support to the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief (CIB), Coastal Carolina University’s nationally known student-led experiential initiative.

For nearly 10 years, the CIB has helped hundreds of students refine their ability to gather, analyze and present information in accordance with techniques used in the intelligence profession. Its members have gone on to serve in every agency of the United States Intelligence Community, as well as in the private sector.

In recognition of the growing importance of cybersecurity, the CIB launched its Cyber and Transnational Desk in 2016. Since then, CIB analysts have consistently collected, analyzed, and presented critical information relating to the cyber domain in a variety of settings. Notably, the CIB’s Applied Intelligence Project has undertaken research on cybersecurity topics under the supervision of the National Security Agency and the United States Secret Service. The CIB operates under the umbrella of the Center for Applied Intelligence at Coastal Carolina University, with Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis as its faculty mentor.

Established in 2018, the South Carolina Cyber Association (CyberSC) is a statewide, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that serves the cybersecurity ecosystem through advocacy, education and building community. Among its many tasks, CyberSC serves as a trusted community for companies that view cybersecurity as a strategic issue to receive actionable resources and connect with their peers. CyberSC is led by Executive Director Thomas Scott, with the support of a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of experienced executives from a variety of local and global businesses, organizations, academic institutions and agencies.

As of May 2024, CyberSC has agreed to support the CIB’s work in cybersecurity collection, analysis and dissemination by awarding the group an annual donation of $1,200. The CIB will utilize these funds to expand its activities in support of student mentoring and skill acquisition.

CIB faculty mentor Joseph Fitsanakis praised the students whose sound work attracted the attention of CyberSC. “Countless students have worked over the years to raise the profile of the CIB in our region and across the United States. The support from CyberSC affirms the value of the CIB in the education of our youth, when it comes to emerging threats to national security. We are grateful to CyberSC for its support”.