The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) will host the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association’s Forum on Global Cybersecurity on Friday, October 21, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at UMA’s Farber Forum in Jewett Hall, 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine. (This event will also be available to watch remotely.) The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required as space is limited for in-person attendance. Participants can register at https://www.uma.edu/cyberpanel.
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There can be no doubt that concern for privacy and security of cyberspace systems against unauthorized access to data is of paramount concern, not only within the U.S., but also throughout the world. UMA has teamed up with the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association to present an event that focuses on this timely topic. This event is also made possible in part by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Dept. of State., the University of Maine at Augusta, and the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association.
A panel of scholars in this field will examine the most serious threats to cyber security globally, what cyberattacks we can anticipate for the mid-term elections in the U.S., what risk management and mitigation of IT assets entail, effective breach response plans, and more.
The Panelists will include:
- Henry Felch, DCS, UMA Professor of Cybersecurity & Computer Information Systems. Henry has over 20 years industry and teaching experience in Cybersecurity and Computer Information Systems, completing his Doctorate in Computer Science with a focus in Network Security. He is currently serving as UMA Professor of Cybersecurity & CIS; Director of UMA’s Maine Cyber Range, established in 2019 to support cyber education and workforce development; and Director of the Maine Cyber Center, established in 2018 as the designated Center for Cyber Education responsible for providing cyber defense education support and resources to any institution within the University of Maine System. He brings a hands-on approach to the classroom, providing students with innovative technology and immersive training, an experience that resembles the ones that they will encounter during their professional career.
- Dawn Ego, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity. Dawn has over 15 years of industry experience in Cyber Forensics in support of the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit, and over five years teaching experience. She is currently serving as UMA Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity. Her focus is on Digital Forensics, to include but not limited to: computer forensics, mobile forensics, and the use of digital media for investigative purposes, testifying and report writing. Currently, she is completing her Doctorate in Technology with a focus in Data Science. Dawn brings best practices, case scenarios and new forensic techniques to the classroom, providing students with the skills and knowledge to find, assess, and prevent cybercrime and mitigate cyber risks.
- Pierre Laot, Cybersecurity Engineer/System Administrator. Pierre earned an international Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from France in 2016, spending the last year of that degree in an exchange program with UMA. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at UMA, with a Cyber Analyst focus. During his time as a student at UMA, he founded the Cyber Moose Team, a group of students who participate in cybersecurity competitions. As a student, Pierre had been working as the Cybersecurity Engineer/System Administrator for the Maine Cyber Range at UMA, before becoming a full-time employee in 2019. He is currently completing his Master of Science in Cybersecurity at UMA. He brings his knowledge and skills of network design and functioning to our students, faculty and staff.
Brenda McAleer, Ph.D., CM, PMP, will be the Panel Moderator, and is currently serving as the Associate Provost of UMA and Dean of the College of Professional Studies. She is also a Professor of Business Administration. Her doctorate is in Administrative Sciences and Decision Making from Walden University, MN; her Masters is in Human Resource Management and Development from Norwich University, VT, and her Bachelors is in Economics and Business from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She also has earned the designations of Certified Professional Manager (CM) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
The mission of the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association is to promote continued opportunities for life-long learning, collaborative networking, service, and programming that celebrate international educational and cultural exchanges in support of Fulbright alumni, aspiring Fulbrighters, and the legacy of J. William Fulbright. https://maine.fulbrightchapters.org
UMA offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in Cybersecurity. In April 2019, UMA’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program was re-designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education for academic years 2019-2024, a program jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. In 2019, UMA also launched the Maine Cyber Range (MCR) to provide an immersive training and simulation center that takes cyber education and workforce development to the next level. UMA’s undergraduate Cybersecurity degree was also ranked as one of the nation’s 2021 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs by U.S. News and World Report.
UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs. For more information, please visit https://www.uma.edu/.