Businesses invited to attend and collaborate
Free, in-person, April 24th at the WCC Campus (3-6PM)
This event will delve into the cybersecurity workforce needs of today and the future. Whatcom Community College is a prime source for recruiting skilled technology professionals. HR staff, cybersecurity professionals, and hiring managers are encouraged to register and attend. Discussions revolve around collaborating with colleges to build a resilient hiring pipeline in cybersecurity.
The Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) of Washington State in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center (NCyTE), and Whatcom Community College (WCC) presents the Securing the Next Generation of Technology Workers event. Industry and academic representatives are invited to attend, network, and discuss cybersecurity workforce needs.
Register now for this unique opportunity to shape the future of the cybersecurity workforce in Washington State: https://ncytecenter.wildapricot.org/event-5517985
In an era where technology and cybersecurity are paramount concerns for businesses, the upcoming event presents a crucial opportunity for companies to shape their hiring pipelines to enable tomorrow’s business to thrive securely and safely.
Hosted on WCC’s campus on Wednesday, April 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., this event will delve into the emerging cybersecurity workforce needs and talent from WCC as a prime source for recruiting skilled cybersecurity and computer technology professionals.
As businesses plan their hiring strategies for the next half-decade, the event encourages them to share their cybersecurity workforce needs with WCC and consider the invaluable resources of local college graduates who will soon enter the workforce. Attendees will gain insights into the types of IT and Cybersecurity professionals graduating from WCC, with the opportunity to influence and inform the curriculum to better align with critical workforce needs.
The event includes discussions on how to build a resilient hiring pipeline, cutting-edge cybersecurity advancements and collaborative initiatives with colleges. There will also be a dynamic panel discussion on Building Your Bench. Every great sports team has a good bench of players ready to play at any moment. The panel features cybersecurity experts from across sectors who have built great benches by offering internships, apprenticeships, and opportunities for current employees to upskill.
Event Panelists include:
• Jennifer Kennedy, Senior Manager of Product Security Workforce Strategy at Boeing
• Shawn Harris, Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Compliance at Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Kris Rides, a Cybersecurity Staffing Subject Matter Expert and Founder of Tiro Security
• Ryan Bergsma, Technology Director, and Security Manager at Cloud Security Alliance
• Jessica Lewallen, Senior IT Auditor at the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
Networking Opportunity:
After the panel, attendees will network with WCC faculty members, other businesses, current students, and alumni. Discussions about internship opportunities and critical skills required in IT and Cybersecurity professionals will take center stage, providing a platform for meaningful connections and collaborations.
“WCC is committed to partnering with education, industry, and government stakeholders to grow educational pathways to meet cybersecurity workforce demands in Washington state and across the nation. We look forward to furthering the conversations and solutions with our industry partners at this upcoming event,” said, WCC President, Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown.
Whatcom Community College is the host institution to: The National Cybersecurity Training & Education (NCyTE) Center (NSF grant#2054724); the CAE Candidate National Center (CCNC) (NSA grant# H9230-22-1-0331); and the Washington State Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. All three Centers are based in Bellingham, WA at Whatcom Community College.
About NCyTE: NCyTE is a National Science Foundation funded Advanced Technical Education Center focused on strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce through 4 overarching strategic goals:
• Expanding cybersecurity education pathways and program diversity
• Developing and deploying leading edge curriculum
• Cultivating industry engagement and career opportunities
• Disseminating efforts to improve current and future directions of cybersecurity education in US
For additional information about NCyTE visit: https://www.ncyte.net/
About CCNC: The CCNC is a National Security Agency program provisioned to guide university and college administrators and faculty through the rigorous application process to be designated as Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs) in Cybersecurity. For additional information about CCNC visit: https://www.ncyte.net/institutions/centers-ofacademic-excellence
About Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Washington State: CCoE at WCC is a state-wide cybersecurity information hub that collaborates with industry and educators to identify and foster opportunities for collaboration. Their mission is to support the future of cybersecurity in Washington State.
For information about the CCoE, please contact: Brent Lundstrom, Director of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence: blundstrom@whacom.edu or phone: 360-594-8337 or visit: https://coecyber.io/
About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College (WCC) in Bellingham, Washington is regularly recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for student outcomes. The College, a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, offers three bachelor of applied science degrees, transfer degrees, career and workforce preparation, online courses, and community education classes. New high school graduates, laid-off workers, seasoned employees, future university students—all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals.
For more information, visit www.whatcom.edu. Media Contact & Public Information Officer: Marni Saling Mayer, PIO, and Director of Communication & Marketing, msmayer@whatcom.edu, phone: 360.383.3312