Lake Mary, FL – It would be difficult to overstate the looming cybersecurity crisis. As attacks continue to escalate, there are simply not enough skilled professionals available to fight back. According to a recent report conducted by (ISC)²:
- The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is now close to 3 million globally
- 63% of respondents report their employer has a shortage of dedicated cybersecurity staff
- 59% say their organization is at extreme or moderate risk due to cybersecurity staff shortages
Many of the applicants for cybersecurity positions lack foundational information, technical knowledge, and people skills. In essence, there are two different issues. One, applicants who are self-taught and tech savvy does not have the skills to address the major issues businesses face. Two, higher education curriculums typically follow a traditional approach, where education is based on a teaching-oriented environment full of theories, which may lack real-world applicability.
“Many companies lack the time and resources to provide training in the actual skills required to defend against attacks,” says ECPI University Lake Mary Campus President Mr. Michael Fontaine. “Employers are looking for applicants who are job-ready.”
For that reason, ECPI University is bringing together some of the region’s top cybersecurity professionals to discuss the skills gap and highlight existing opportunities for those considering this career path. The panel includes:
Debi Carr, a CEO of D. K. Carr and Associates, LLC, a security and HIPAA consulting firm. She has 23 years of healthcare practice management experience and more than 30 years of experience in technology and security.
Regine Bonneau, a leading expert and practitioner in governance, risk management, compliance, and cybersecurity and a Certified Third-Party Risk Professional (CTPRP).
James R. McQuiggan, CISSP works for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as the product and solutions security officer for the Service Americas division. He is also a member of (ISC)², which oversees the CISSP that is considered the gold standard certification for Information Security professionals around the world.
Alexis Brignoni, a special agent of a federal law enforcement agency with a Bachelor's in Computer Science and an MBA in Management of Information Systems.
Walter Speelman moved to Silicon Valley shortly after personal computers were first invented, and has been a constant advocate for cybersecurity. Most recently, he was an ambassador for the 2018 (ISC)² Security Congress conference, and served as a chapter officer for the (ISC)² Central Florida chapter.
The forum is scheduled for Friday, March 22 at 11:30 am at ECPI University’s Lake Mary campus, located at 660 Century Point, Suite 1050. For more information, please contact ECPI University Lake Mary Campus President Mike Fontaine at 407.562.9100 or MFontaine@ecpi.edu.
About ECPI University
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate's, baccalaureate, and master's degrees and diplomas. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. A private university founded in 1966, ECPI University has campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas and offers convenient classes during the day, evening, and online; graduate employment services, continuing education, certification classes, and testing are also available.
On campus or online, fields of study include: HEALTH SCIENCES: Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing (RN to BSN), BS to BSN, Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Sonography, Surgical Technology; TECHNOLOGY: Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Cyber and Network Security, Information Systems, Software Development, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology; BUSINESS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting, Business Administration, IT Management, Hospitality Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security; CULINARY: Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Management, Baking and Pastry Arts. (Program field availability varies by campus.) For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu.
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