Cybersecurity workforce conference to feature tech leaders and data security experts


Microsoft’s Senior Director of Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Angela McKay and local Miami tech pioneer Manuel D. Medina are among featured speakers for the NICE Conference and Expo.

“We’re honored to have seasoned cyber experts join the growing conversation on the cybersecurity workforce,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg, who will host a panel at the conference on the future of education on Wednesday, Nov. 7. “Conferences like this allow everyone to be a part of the conversation to better align curriculum and hands-on training opportunities with specific cybersecurity needs.”

The NICE Conference, taking place in Miami on Nov. 6-7, 2018, will focus on new and innovative approaches that will prepare and grow a sustainable workforce for cybersecurity by bringing together distinguished cybersecurity experts including featured speakers McAfee’s Chief Scientist Raj Samani and Trend Micro’s leading security expert Ed Cabrera. The conference will feature a wide range of expert panels and presentations from leading professionals from the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Science Foundation, T-Mobile, Dell and education experts from over a dozen universities, including the University of Washington, Columbus State University and FIU.

The unprecedented demand for well-trained cybersecurity professionals has led to thousands of unfilled jobs in the U.S. alone. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, globally we anticipate more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021. The focal problem of the shortage of professionals is a widening cybersecurity talent gap, or the mismatch between the skills employers are looking for and the skills potential employees have. Conference sessions will cover this from the different viewpoints of industry, government and academia. Other topics will include expanding the workforce through diversity and inclusion, talent management and workforce development.

FIU has made cybersecurity education a priority and has become a nationally recognized hub for interdisciplinary cybersecurity study and research. The institution was chosen as a partner to bring together cybersecurity workforce developers, federal and state government leaders, education and training providers, and others from across the U.S. and the world to help build the foundation for greater security. Earlier in the year, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded FIU a cooperative agreement with New America to host the annual NICE Conference and Expo over the next five years.

For media wishing to attend the NICE Conference, please register here.