New partnership enables USCA students to help small businesses gain cyber certification

USCA has partnered with the South Carolina Small Business Development Center to provide practical, real-world experience for students and cyber support for small businesses. 

Dr. Daniel J. Heimmermann, chancellor, USCA, and SBDC State Director Marquise Jackson signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 19, which will assist small businesses earn cyber certification needed to do business with the federal government.

“The university is committed to addressing the pressing needs of the region,” Heimmermann said. “We have enjoyed a strong partnership with SBDC, and this is just another innovative way we can partner with them to serve the community and offer our students opportunities to gain real-world experience.”

The SC SBDC offers myriad resources and support to either those looking to start or currently running small businesses. This support includes the development of business planning, start-up funding, mentorship and more recently cybersecurity. SC SBDC’s cyber support originated in response to the Department of Defense’s requirement for cyber certifications for businesses wanting to earn governmental contracts.

The DoD requirement is known as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Businesses can earn up to three levels of certification.

“Since last October, we’ve assisted small businesses with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. However, there are certain technical aspects within CMMC that fall outside of our technical expertise. Therefore, we believe that USCA can fill that knowledge gap,” said Brent Hoover, business consultant with South Carolina Small Business Development Centers.

The SC SBDC currently offers macro-level training on Level 1 certification, which stems around the protection of Federal Contract Information, or that information not intended for public release. To certify at this level of CMMC certification, businesses must implement 15 controls identified by the federal government. 

“The SC SBDC has been offering CMMC Level 1 certification for over a year to select clients, primarily clients who want to sell to the federal government,” Hoover said. 
 
“Level 1 is often thought of as basic cybersecurity hygiene and represents a good practice for all business owners.” 
 
During the last year, the number of small businesses requesting this type of support from the SC SBDC reached an unsustainable level. To continue providing critical support to clients, Hoover reached out to USCA to see how students might become part of the solution.  The agreement between the university and SBDC is the end result.

“Throughout the country, small business development centers have ongoing relationships with various universities and colleges. A new memorandum of understanding gives us a chance to further reinforce that relationship,” Hoover said.

“In 2024, the SC SBDC assisted over 4,000 clients. Of those, only about 20 received the one-on-one cybersecurity training being offered by the SC SBDC.  With assistance from USCA, we hope to assist a much larger number of SC SBDC clients. Jointly, we can give the SC SBDC clients the type of online protection that will help protect their digital information.”

CMMC Level 1 certification is self-imposed for those who are interested in federal contracting.  In addition, businesses needed oversight to ensure the 15 controls were properly implemented. USCA students can help with the proper training, certification and documentation.

Specifically, USCA students studying cybersecurity will work with cybersecurity professors and SC SBDC consultants, ensuring clients complete and properly document the businesses’ CMMC certification. Students in other disciplines may also apply to be part of the program. These include science, technology, engineering, mathematics and information technology.

SC SBDC will monitor the progress of all student efforts.

“Small businesses receive a comprehensive technical evaluation from USCA’s cyber team. This is critical for those that want to certify as CMMC compliant,” Hoover said. 

“In return, students gain hands-on experience helping small businesses and an opportunity to put their studies into practice.” 

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.