CEDAR CITY – In today’s high-tech world, sensitive information and cyber infrastructures are a common way of life. As technology increases so does the need for security to protect it.
With the United States largely dependent on a framework of cyber systems, there are many tempting targets to be exploited and technological weakness that could cripple our economy and nation.
The protection of information is a crucial industry. Within the last few years, two major businesses, Target and Home Depot, have been victims of hackers who were able to bypass security measures and steal sensitive debit and credit information of consumers.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “There are about 1,000 security people in the US who have the specialized security skills to operate effectively in cyberspace. We need 10,000 to 30,000.”
That’s where the US Cyber Challenge seeks to make the difference. According to the USCC website, http://ift.tt/1W0I710, the organization’s mission is to “significantly reduce the shortage in today’s cyber workforce by serving as the premier program to identify, attract, recruit and place the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. USCC’s goal is to find 10,000 of America’s best and brightest to fill the ranks of cybersecurity professionals where their skills can be of the greatest value to the nation.”
Katie Hanson, of Sherman Consulting, said, “Each US Cyber Challenge camp has the mission to increase the quantity and quality of our country’s cybersecurity workforce. Today, the United States is faced with a severe shortage among highly skilled cybersecurity professionals to fulfill both public and private institution needs.”
To help USCC make that difference, Southern Utah University and the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science & Engineering hosted its first ever Western Regional Cyber Security Boot Camp. Held at the versatile Sharwan Smith Student Center on the SUU campus July 27-31, the top talent from around the nation and locally got to learn from top cybersecurity executives and begin creating a network of connections to help them discover and develop their cybersecurity skills.
Laurel Dodgion, academic enhancement coordinator at SUU’s College of Science & Engineering, said, “We’re trying to help address the need for cyber-security professionals in every industry from the government to banks, schools and general businesses.”
SUU Department Chair of Computer Science and Information Systems Rob Robertson knows the challenges of finding quality technology courses. He was instrumental in bringing the camp to SUU, which is equipped to teach the necessary cybersecurity skills to students.
“It’s a tough thing to get this kind of knowledge and experience through formal education and if you can’t get into the technology while you’re in school you’re going to be so much farther behind the curve.”
“Find your passion,” he added. “The industry is huge so find what you really love, then get really good at it and you will find success.”
The week began with an educational roundtable discussion with top cybersecurity executives from around the nation who imparted their wisdom to about 40 up-and-coming cybersecurity professionals and students.
Tab Pierce, president at Caliber Security Partners, said, “One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how much we spend our time learning to communicate risk to an organization.” Robert Huber, vice president at iSight Partners, emphasized Pierce’s point. “You can be a rock-star cybersecurity person but at the end of the day if you don’t have a good relationship with your peers or understand how to communicate specific risks and resolutions to businesses, you won’t be successful.”
Following the discussions, the students participated in daily workshops where they learned Windows memory forensics, RF hacking, reverse engineering malware, and pen testing.
At the end of the week, a virtual “capture the flag” competition was held where cybersecurity hopefuls utilized their new knowledge in a series of tests and trials designed to improve their abilities. The winners included Norman Lumdt, Eric Harashevsky and Nick Landers, who helped set a new record for points scored during the competition.
Leon Trappett, head of IT security at the Bank of Utah was impressed with the results.
“On Friday, we saw a talented group of individuals participate in a challenging virtual competition to demonstrate how capable they are at defending our nation against cyber threats,” he said.
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