The Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) is the second of its kind in the nation—and the next key addition to the university’s planned IDEA District that builds on our Brad D. Smith Center for Business Innovation to transform the corridor west of the university into a vibrant hub for research and collaboration. The ICS design acts as an anchor between place and history, campus and town. It projects innovation, strength, and unity across government, academia, and the private sector.

The primary objective of the Marshall University ICS is to prepare the next generation of cyber experts by providing research, training, and collaborative initiatives. The building honors regional context and histories by forging a bridge between past and present, drawing inspiration from the mountains and valleys of West Virginia. The building’s rugged exterior design evokes a fortress aesthetic accordant with a national center for excellence, while the ground floor prioritizes public outreach by placing innovation on display in a forum-like showcase. Here, a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center will accommodate mock cyber-attack exercises with an immersive simulation experience, a transportation lab will analyze on-board computers in drones and vehicles, and a malware and forensics lab will study real-world cyber threats.

Above the ground level, the first two floors will house academic and research facilities, and the third floor will hold a large, flexible conference center with a raised floor to host computer-intensive events and competitions. An outdoor terrace on this level will further support these functions. The top floor is reserved for the institute’s most secure programs, cleared for industry partners working on sensitive research projects.