Cy Says Blog & Podcast

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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, training, Podcast

Ep 61: LevelUp Cyber w/Chris Miller - Cybersecurity Tricks for Small Businesses

 Join us on LinkedIn Live for an exclusive session with Christopher Miller, VP of Sales & Marketing from ATB Technologies.

Are you a small business owner concerned about the growing threats of cybercrime? Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain insights from Chris Miller, an industry-leading cybersecurity professional. In this engaging LinkedIn Live session, Chris will share his expert knowledge and reveal essential tricks to protect your small business from malicious online attacks.

Key Highlights:

*Understanding the cybersecurity landscape for small businesses
*Identifying common vulnerabilities and potential risks
*Practical tips and tricks to fortify your digital defenses
*Cost-effective strategies for implementing cybersecurity measures
*Importance of employee training and awareness
*Responding to and recovering from cyber incidents

Don't let your small business become an easy target for cybercriminals. Join us for an interactive discussion, where you'll have the chance to ask questions directly to Chris Miller. Enhance your cybersecurity knowledge and empower your business to stay ahead in this digital age.

Save the date and mark your calendars now. We look forward to having you join us for this imperative LinkedIn Live session with Chris Miller from ATB Technologies. Stay tuned for updates and reminders. See you there!
 
 
Tony Bryan
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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, training, Podcast

Ep 60: The Future of Youth in Cyber with Rachel Bracker

In a post-COVID world, there are many aspects of our lives that have been impacted. One of the most significant industries affected is K12 education. Teachers are leaving in a mass exodus, students are still balancing online and in-person learning, and parents are often doing the best they can to support their children.

If we narrow that subject to computer science and STEM-related curriculum, it gets even tougher. There are several choices for learning but cost, the skill level of teachers, and the full participation of students play a major role in the efficacy of learning.

Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 school year our team is looking at new and exciting ways that we can IGNITE a students' interest in cybersecurity and help them make positive choices along the way.

Join Rachel Bracker, Youth Program Manager at CyberUp and a former educator herself, for a discussion on where we have been, where we are going, and how we will impact future cybersecurity professionals through volunteerism and modeling.
 
 
Tony Bryan
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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, training, Podcast

Ep 59: Parkour to Tech with Giovani Dambros

In this episode of LevelUp Cyber Live, we have Giovani Dambros with us, who will share his experience of transitioning from a career in parkour to the world of technology.

We'll delve into Giovani's journey of how he made the transition from parkour to technology. He'll talk about how he discovered his passion for technology and how he prepared himself for a completely new field.

As the host of this episode, Tony Bryan will facilitate the conversation and bring in his insights and experiences related to career transitions and how they can impact one's life. Together, they'll discuss the challenges they faced during their career transition, such as imposter syndrome and the fear of starting over. They'll also offer advice to listeners who are considering making a similar shift in their careers.

Join us as we explore the fascinating story of Giovani Dambros, a former parkour athlete who has successfully transitioned to the world of technology, and gain insights into making a successful career change.
 
 
Tony Bryan
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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, training, Podcast

Ep 58: Why Breaking into Cyber is so Hard w/Matt Peterson

In this week's podcast, we discussed why it was so hard to break into cybersecurity. With the increasing importance of cybersecurity, it was no wonder that more and more people were interested in pursuing a career in this field. Our guest today was Matt Peterson with Guidepoint Security, a cybersecurity professional with over two decades of experience.

Matt explained that one of the biggest challenges in breaking into cybersecurity was the ever-changing nature of the field. As new technologies and threats emerge, cybersecurity professionals must constantly stay up to date with the latest tools and techniques. This requires a significant amount of time and effort and can be daunting for those just starting out.

Another challenge is the lack of formal education and training programs specifically tailored to cybersecurity. While there are some degree programs and certifications available, they may not provide the practical experience and hands-on training that employers are looking for. This can make it difficult for new professionals to get their foot in the door and gain the necessary knowledge to advance in their careers.

Additionally, the cybersecurity field is highly competitive, with many qualified candidates vying for a limited number of job openings. This means that even those with the necessary skills and experience may struggle to find employment in the field.

Despite these challenges, Matt emphasized that breaking into cybersecurity is not impossible. Networking, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer work, and continuing education and training can all help aspiring professionals stand out in a crowded field. With dedication and perseverance, it is possible to build a successful career in cybersecurity.

 

Tony Bryan
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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, Blog

Boeing and CyberUp Team Up Again To Train Veterans

ST. LOUIS – A little over four years ago a group of community leaders came together and presented an idea on how we can grow the regional workforce. These leaders included organizations like the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois, and Scott Air Force Base. The base was seeking a solution to their growing skills gap and a way to overcome hiring cleared personnel.

There wasn’t an easy solution, but with the creation of CyberUp and a little bit of tenacity, collaboration, and community support we have a solution. With support from Boeing and the Scott Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center, CyberUp has developed a pathway to help transitioning veterans begin a high-paying career in cybersecurity.

On October 5th, CyberUp started training 15 veterans and military spouses for our Veteran LevelUp Program. The program targeted veterans transitioning from active duty with 6 – 12 months left to their military commitment or active National Guard and Reservists. Participants received 6 months of free, virtual supported training by CyberUp. Their training will ramp up their technical and cybersecurity skills to CompTIA Security+. Upon completion of their training, veterans are eligible for apprenticeship placement services from CyberUp. Through placement at an employer partner of CyberUp, veterans will complete 2,000 hours as paid apprentices and continue their technical skills training.

To build on the success of the previous 3 cohorts, Boeing has invested in CyberUp to train 30 more veterans and military spouses in 2022. We will team up and support Scott Air Force Base who forecasted to have approximately 4,000 service members transition in 2022. This is the first step to attracting and training veterans in cybersecurity to stay in the St. Louis region. Veterans are highly sought after by local companies because of their commitment to mission and core values. “We have a tremendous amount of talent transitioning each year from our partners at the base. The more we can do to incentivize them to stay in our region will help fill our growing skills gap. I would like to personally grow this program to account for a minimum of 10% of the veterans transitioning each year. When we do this right, we can help other military communities through apprenticeship and training. The opportunities for both the veteran and the region,” Tony Bryan, Executive Director at CyberUp explains.

To learn more about the Veteran LevelUp Program, please visit CyberUp’s website at www.wecyberup.org/levelup-veterans. Information about the program, how to apply, and additional upcoming class details can be found there.

ABOUT CYBERUP:

CyberUp is a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission is to cultivate the cybersecurity talent pipeline for today and tomorrow. They accomplish this through their nationally recognized LevelUp: Apprenticeship Program and their youth-focused PowerUp Cyber Games. To learn more, visit wecyberup.org, or contact Tony Bryan at tony@wecyberup.org or 314-764-5419.

ABOUT THE BOEING COMPANY:

Through purposeful investments, employee engagement, and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with the company’s strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. Boeing’s efforts are focused on improving access to globally competitive learning, contributing to workforce and skills development, and supporting our military and veteran communities. Chicago-based Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space, and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries.

Tony Bryan
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cybersecurity, apprenticeship, certification, Podcast

Ep: 22 - Cybersecurity Skills that Pay the Bills

In this episode, Tony Bryan chats about the ways people can gain valuable cybersecurity skills to get the career they want. Over the past 5 years, we have seen an emergence of skill-developing organizations that offer opportunities to learn cyber. Tony breaks down each one, provides his insight into the pros and cons of each one, and hopes to support finding the best path for you.

Listen to "Ep: 22 - Cybersecurity Skills that Pay the Bills" on Spreaker.

 

Tony Bryan
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