Presenter: Birol Yesilada

Room: Ballroom, EMU 244, Level 2

Presentation: From “What’s Coming” to “What’s Happening”: A Programs Update from the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Time: 12:20p – 1:20p

At OCRS in 2023, the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCoE) directors presented on “what’s coming” from the OCCoE, as the House Bill creating the Center had just been passed with many exciting plans underway. Two years later, the myriad programs under the OCCoE umbrella are running full speed and with ongoing plans for expansion and additions, and our Center Directors are excited to share “what’s happening and what MORE is coming” with the OCRS audience.
The OCCoE is a collaboration between UO, OSU, and PSU with access to unique programs at each. These programs include the new TSOC at UO and the expanding ORTSOC at OSU, both Teaching SOCs providing high-quality cybersecurity services at low to no cost for public entities across Oregon while training students to become the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through real-world applications under expert professional supervision. Similarly, the RISK Clinic at UO trains students to provide public and underserved sectors of the community low-cost access to personnel and materials to help evaluate personal or institutional security–RISK Clinic is currently working with the State CISO’s office to provide risk assessments for water districts, a real-world example of how OCCoE programs are reaching the community, and may spread to other special districts throughout the state.
OCCoE also houses no-cost cybersecurity education/training opportunities for public sector employees through PSU with our workforce development programs: Professional Certificate in Building Cyber Resilience and Cybersecurity Education for Oregon’s Tribes. Each of these programs provide a highly collaborative cohort-based approach to learn about identifying, assessing, and communicating common cyber risks, and conducting the first step in mitigating threats through a risk assessment. They also provide opportunities for participants to network with other public sector/Tribal professionals in the field throughout the state.
Also within workforce development training/education, OCCoE’s Cyber Camps help prepare the future cybersecurity workforce by introducing high school students to jobs in this sector through summer camps designed to build skills and interest in cybersecurity careers. Teachers and guest speakers at the camps inspire youth to continue on a trajectory in the cybersecurity field, and OCRS would be a great audience to recruit folks who might be interested in teaching or speaking at the camps!
In response to major federal funding cuts, OCCoE is planning future initiatives to raise awareness and meet educational/training needs of local governments regarding building cyber resilience in Oregon across multiple institutions and organizations. Presenting about our existing programs and future initiatives meets the objectives of Cyber General Awareness as many OCRS attendees work in the public sector or part of the network that would benefit from knowing about these many programs that serve the community.