Dakota State University Completed New Research Lab
The 100,000-square-foot facility in northwest Sioux Falls will host cyber research and forensics operations.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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Dakota State University has neared completion of its new Applied Research Lab on a 10-acre site in Sioux Falls. The facility will house the university's Digital Forensics Lab and provide specialized space for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence research.
Why it matters
The lab aims to bridge the gap between academic research and government requirements to support the South Dakota workforce. By providing a centralized space, it seeks to strengthen state economic development through enhanced partnerships.
The new research lab spans 100,000 square feet on a 10-acre plot in northwest Sioux Falls. It features flexible project rooms, office suites, and a dedicated Faraday room for isolating electronic devices during forensics investigations.
The players
Dakota State University
This public university in South Dakota focuses on computer science and cyber-related research programs.
Digital Forensics Lab
This research unit conducts investigations for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The details
The facility includes a training room specifically designed to support cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and law enforcement partnerships. Researchers based in Madison and Sioux Falls will utilize the space as a shared collaborative environment to support their investigations.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: The construction status of the laboratory was updated.
The Tech Race
This facility expansion marks a significant infrastructure commitment within the broader landscape of state-funded cybersecurity education. It positions the university to better compete for federal research partnerships by consolidating dispersed regional labs into a central hub.
The opening of this lab will likely increase the capacity for local and state agencies to perform complex digital investigations within Sioux Falls. For the local community, it represents a new nexus for specialized training that may attract and retain high-tech talent in the area.
The takeaway
The addition of this specialized research hub underscores the increasing importance of physical infrastructure for digital security work. Residents and local businesses may see increased activity in the tech sector as collaborative partnerships between academia and law enforcement intensify.
Further reading
For more information on facility developments in the region, visit Data Centers.
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