Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) is hosting its third annual Women in Cybersecurity event on March 31 through April 2 at the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport.
WiCyS continues to innovatively expand its mission to bring together women in cybersecurity from academia, research and industry. This event is designed as a forum for speakers and guests to exchange knowledge, experience, networking, and mentoring, with the ultimate goal of raising interest in the important, fascinating and lucrative field of cybersecurity. Any individual or organization interested in supporting recruiting and retention efforts for women in cybersecurity is encouraged to participate.
WiCyS is also highly regarded as the forum for women to expand their opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. An attendee from last year’s event said, “it really allowed me to see different paths and provided me advice that will lead me to a more successful career in this area.”
WiCyS was launched in 2013 by Dr. Ambareen Siraj, Computer Science, Tennessee Tech University, as a collaborative project between Tennessee Tech, University of Memphis and Jackson State Community College.
“After seeing so few women in my courses, I wanted to create an opportunity for women to learn from other women about the field of cybersecurity and to be motivated to seek opportunities and resources within,” Dr. Siraj said.
The annual WiCyS conference is organized by the Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center at Tennessee Tech in partnership with a regional university. This year’s local host for the conference is The University of Texas at Dallas.
“I’m passionate about encouraging females to join technology careers, particularly cybersecurity. UT Dallas is excited to be hosting the event this year,” said Dr. Janell Straach, Senior Lecturer in the Computer Science Department at UT Dallas. Dr. Straach also serves as co-chair of the event.
Since 2013, with support from various industry, government and academic partners, WiCyS has successfully worked to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. Early supporters of WiCyS are Facebook and CyberPoint International.
“CyberPoint International is committed to encouraging women to choose and have successful careers in cyber security,” said Sherri Ramsay, Senior Advisor, CyberPoint International and a past WiCyS keynote presenter. “The Women in Cybersecurity Conference is a wonderful opportunity for women to come together to network and create connections, to inspire each other, to learn from one another, and to help each other succeed.”
Speakers for this year’s event include:
- Regina Wallace-Jones, Head of Security Operations, Facebook
- Margaret N. White, VP Senior Information Security Officer, Global Information Security, Bank of America
- Michele Myauo, Director of Cybersecurity, Microsoft
- Heather Adkins, Founding member of the Google Security Team
The conference includes keynote presentations, workshops, poster competitions, mentoring sessions and a career fair.
This year’s sponsors include more than 50 organizations such Facebook, Fidelity Investments, Cisco Systems, IBM, CyberPoint International, GE Corporate, Bank of America, Target, Fannie Mae, University of Texas at Dallas, Intel Education, HPE, ViaSat, AETNA, Microsoft, Protoviti, State Farm, Google, Comcast, Adobe, AT&T, Mississippi State University, Baypath, INI (Information Networking Institute) Carnegie Mellon University, RIT Rochester Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Information Networking Institute, CISSE, Accenture, Palo Alto Networks, NCTC RITA, Carnegie Mellon University, NAVSEA, CyberWatch, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Endgame, SANS, Sandia National Labs, John Hopkins University, School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute, Mid-Western State, WPI, University of Houston, Capitol Technology University, Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Lab, University of North Texas System, NYU, University of Dallas, Indiana University, DNI, and NSA.
Find the full program here.
Find more information here