A bit of bad news: anyone who uses the Internet is subject to the threats of cybersecurity breaches. The good news: there are a multitude of best practices and resources available to protect against data breaches and the misuse of information stored online. Even better news: Olivet Nazarene University is hosting the Everyday Cyber Conference on Tuesday, October 10, to educate members of the community about how to protect their personal and work-related information online.
The Everyday Cyber Conference is geared towards businesses, local governments and non-profits to engage the local workforce on how to use the Internet safely and effectively. Through various keynote speakers and expert panels featuring members of the FBI and the Secret Service, the conference will unpack cyber concepts to provide valuable insights for daily online activities in the workplace. In doing so, the conference will assist the local community in giving people the tools they need to remain vigilant in an ever-changing environment.
There have been such few cybersecurity conferences in the local area, marking a unique opportunity for local businesses and nonprofit organizations to learn from experts in the industry. Notable sponsors of the conference include BitLyft, Varonis, ePlus, Fortinet, Verkada, Ascent Portal, SHI, and Barracuda, as well as representation from law enforcement agencies. Many of these companies provide industry-level support for the Department of Computer Science and Olivet Nazarene University, and members of many of the sponsor companies will be contributing to the event through keynote speeches, panel discussions and a vendor fair.
Olivet is hosting this free event to enhance the community’s awareness of cyber threats and to increase the collective knowledge of business leaders in the area. Additionally, the Department of Computer Science is in the process of applying for designation as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity from the National Security Administration (NSA).
“Many students primarily seek out these federally-recognized centers as their sole options for college,” says Ryan Manes, program assistant for computer science and director of esports at Olivet. “The NSA designation would just prove what we already know to be true: Olivet offers a high-level of education in the field of cybersecurity by covering a list of topics seen as high-priority by the industry.”
By attaining this federal designation, Olivet will be able to provide unmatched student opportunities for research and increased scholarships, and the school will be endorsed for its highly-rated cybersecurity program.
The Everyday Cyber Conference is free to attend and includes lunch. Programming will run from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Weber Leadership Center on Olivet’s campus. Space is limited and attendees must register ahead of time.
For more information, click here.
