Letter from the President: Matt Wainwright
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The networks you are responsible for are completely secure, right?
I'll answer that - no, they're not. And for GMIS members, people who operate primarily at the CIO/CTO/COO and Technology Director level, we've all come to realize completely secure networks are elusive. Secure networks are increasingly more expensive too. Interestingly, PriceWaterhouse Coopers reported detected security incidents actually went down 25% in 2014 in its 2015 Global State of Information Security Survey, Public Sector. Money well spent perhaps? You can actually join in on the survey for 2016 if you want to build next year's statistical analysis.
So the key word in the paragraph above is "detected". Unfortunately network security tools are a bit like metal detectors these days, at the beach. But the tools will always be there and the focus needs to be turned to the people who will be using them. Elementary, Middle School and High School children need exposure to the curriculum and tools which will enable them to secure our country's public and private business from cyber related threats.The Air Force Association's CyberPatriot program is helping fill the void in current educational curriculum. By blending younger generations with the experience of the current and retiring workforce everyone at the table learns! CyberPatriot, backed by the United States Air Force Association, is a program designed to help Middle and High 
School students learn how to protect networks and avoid cyber threats. The students participating in the program today represent our future cyber workforce and will be introduced into a job market upon graduation which currently boasts 32 jobs to every one cyber graduate. For $395.00 a high school can field two separate teams, each with its own coach and technical mentor. Or the same two teams can be coached, and mentored, by the same people. And since there are so few women in IT jobs still you can field a team of all girls free of charge!
School students learn how to protect networks and avoid cyber threats. The students participating in the program today represent our future cyber workforce and will be introduced into a job market upon graduation which currently boasts 32 jobs to every one cyber graduate. For $395.00 a high school can field two separate teams, each with its own coach and technical mentor. Or the same two teams can be coached, and mentored, by the same people. And since there are so few women in IT jobs still you can field a team of all girls free of charge!So when you add volunteer time to your yearly agendas, consider CyberPatriot. Let's work to fill the many open jobs in the cyber and coding fields while reigning in and defending the elusive cybersecurity needs of the United States.
You will also have the opportunity to support or become involved with the CyberPatriot program at the 2015 GMIS Annual Conference. Join us in Newport to find out how!
If anyone would like more information on CyberPatriot please feel free to reach me directly. I've enjoyed coaching teams for the past few years as part of my own cyber security education. Stay safe, give back and defend our great country!
