Focused on reducing the risk and impact of cyberattacks on all kinds of systems, leading authorities and innovators from throughout the state will meet at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Saturday, Sept. 16.
The new STEM Center and Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium will host the Cyber Awareness Executive Symposium.
“We’re fortunate to have visionary community and educational leaders willing to sponsor and support such a prestigious executive symposium,” said Jim Robb, a consultant guiding economic development for the City of Prescott. “We’re especially gratified to have Chancellor Frank Ayers and Professor John Haass from ERAU, who are instrumental in making this happen in Prescott.”
An estimated 50 to 60 representatives from state and local government, higher education, aerospace, technology, finance, manufacturing, retail and similar organizations are expected, Robb said.
The Cyber Awareness Consortium was formed in 2016 by a diverse group of leaders, executives and citizens from public and private organizations in Arizona.
“It is more and more apparent that the need to know about cybersecurity affects every single segment of the economy we can think of, domestically and worldwide,” Robb said.
Robb also explained the City of Prescott, in cooperation with ERAU, is dedicated to establishing a local Technology Innovation Center and Cybersecurity Community.
Experts from various industries will be speaking and leading panels, said Mark Dallmaeier, CSO and MSO of Terra Verde, a Phoenix-based comprehensive security, risk and compliance solutions services firm.
Haass, who serves as the program director of the four-year old ERAU Bachelor of Science degree in cyber intelligence and security, will be a featured speaker. He emphasizes the increasing need for younger people to build careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) so they can better handle the complex nature of contemporary society. He and his colleagues will share their views on research and cybersecurity perspectives.
“We’ll be proud to show off what we believe is the most sophisticated STEM facility of its kind in Arizona,” said ERAU Chancellor Ayers.
October is U.S. Cyber Awareness Month
The cyber symposium occurs just before the Department of Homeland Security and other federal, state and local government agencies launch the annual awareness campaign around Cyber Hygiene and Technology best practices.
City of Prescott officials say the symposium demonstrates to Quad Cities businesses and residences that local government is serious about staying current with national issues to protect the freedom and security of citizens.
September marks the second consecutive month that leaders from throughout Arizona will have convened in Prescott to deliberate security and technology issues. Last month, more than 100 leading business and corporate decision-makers from the Arizona Technology Council met to discuss challenges facing their industries.
“The city is cooperating in every way possible with ERAU to make a symposium like this a yearly event,” said City of Prescott Community Outreach Manager John Heiney. “As we view it, tying our future to cyber and technology issues is going to help our region attract new businesses and high paying jobs. That will be meaningful especially for our young graduating students who want to remain here for their careers. We can’t begin to realize how much it will advance the region economically if we can attract some of the high technology industries to our community.”
Sponsors for this month’s Cyber Awareness Executive Symposium include ERAU, the City of Prescott, Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona State University, City of Phoenix, Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, Micro Age and Terra Verde. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
(Photo by Ray Newton)
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