VASCAN 2019

The presentation will detail a year’s worth of findings from cyber security risk assessments performed by the GO Virginia cyber security program students. While undergoing assessments for businesses and municipalities around the Shenandoah Valley, a large number of similar gaps were discovered across many organizations. The purpose of the presentation is to make IT professionals aware of common shortfalls with cyber security maturity. In addition, the genesis and methodology of the study will be shared so that participants may learn from the findings, and may also may contribute stories of their own.

The session will also discuss the cyber security job program provided by the GO Virginia grant. In less than a year, twenty-four students have completed class work, earned their CompTIA Security+ certification, and have received job training. Seven of those students now have better jobs or positions, while six more have brand news jobs that the program brought to Waynesboro, Virginia. We are currently working with a US Congressional Representative on adapting the foundation of our program for use with the proposed bi-partisan Cyber Ready Workforce Act.