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Emporia State Hosts Cybersecurity Conference

Emporia State University’s School of Business and Technology is preparing to host several of the nation’s leading cybersecurity experts next week at CyBERCON, an on-campus event that will highlight ESU’s expanding cybersecurity academic programs and the job opportunities for graduates trained in the protection of online data and computer systems.

CyBERCON will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in Webb Hall in the Memorial Union. The event is free to the public and designed particularly for students, business owners and those interested in cybersecurity-related topics.

John Bryant, a former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer with 11 years of experience with the U.S. Army, will deliver the event’s keynote speech, “Social Engineering.” He most recently served as the chief information officer for Army University and the Command General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Bryant is now a regional cybersecurity advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stan Richister, manager of Missile Defense Agency’s Cybersecurity Service Provider Computer Emergency Response Team at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, will also deliver remarks on “Social Engineering and Operations Security,” or OPSEC.

Jerry Horton, technology and cybersecurity director for two Kansas-based companies, Networks Plus and Blue Valley Technologies, will deliver CyBERCON’s third presentation, “Tales From The Darkside — Lessons Learned While Becoming An Ethical Hacker.” Horton has more than four decades of experience in internet technology, cybersecurity and telecommunications.

Besides hearing from the featured presenters, CyBERCON attendees will also attend a panel discussion from ESU students and have access to vendor displays, an opportunity for students to have their resumes reviewed, a raffle and prize giveaways and a video-gaming area that includes virtual reality games. A taco bar lunch will be provided.

For information, call (620) 341-5106 or email cyroc@emporia.edu.