2019 To Feature Increased “Diversity in Cybersecurity” Programming from Cybersecurity Association of Maryland

February 4, 2019 (Baltimore, MD) – The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc.’s (CAMI) Board of Directors has made a conscious effort to include cybersecurity workforce development in its annual programming, but 2019 will bring increased efforts in this area, especially in creating awareness of cybersecurity career pathways and opportunities for those in under-represented and underserved markets.

“The creation of a Diversity in Cybersecurity Committee last year helped solidify our Board’s commitment to highlighting and celebrating women and minorities working in Maryland’s cybersecurity industry,” remarked Gina Abate, Edwards Performance Solutions’ CEO and CAMI Board Chair. “We’d like to see more female and minority cybersecurity role models for our younger generation, so they can envision themselves working and succeeding in this industry.”

Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Ellen Hemmerly, CAMI Board member and Executive Director of bwtech@UMBC Research & Development Center, and Gwen Greene, CEO of AiTech, CAMI’s Diversity in Cybersecurity Committee has planned a diverse calendar of programs for 2019. Activities include:
  • “Taking the Seat at the Head of the Table: Women Breaking into Cybersecurity” panel presentation at The Daily Record’s Women in Leadership Summit, March 20, Coppin State University
  • Maryland Women In Cybersecurity Profiles included in The Daily Record’s Path to Excellence publication – March 22
  • Cyber Warrior Woman of the Year Award presented at annual MD Cybersecurity Awards Celebration, April 11, Maryland Live Hotel
  • Women in Cyber Social, June 2019
  • Participation in The CyberWire’s annual Women in Cyber Reception, October 24, Washington DC
  • Women in Cyber focus session, TEDCO’s Annual Entrepreneur Expo, October 29, Hotel at University of Maryland, College Park
  • “Cyber Warrior Women” Signature Event, coming November 2019
The Committee plans to continue and strengthen its relationships with organizations like Junior Achievement, Girls Who Code, MAGIC, MD Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Governor’s Workforce Development Board and Maryland Workforce Alliance and would like to develop new partnerships with groups like the Women in Cybersecurity Mid-Atlantic and Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu.

“CAMI has always believed we can make the greatest positive impact through collaboration with others, and this year, you will see quite a few examples of that, especially on the workforce front,” notes Abate.

For more information on CAMI’s Diversity in Cybersecurity initiatives and volunteer, sponsorship and participation opportunities, email Stacey Smith, President & CEO, at Stacey@MDcyber.com.

About the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc.

The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAMI) is a nationally-unique non-profit organization formed in 2015 to identify Maryland’s cybersecurity providers and connect them with businesses, organizations and government entities that need cybersecurity solutions. CAMI operates a searchable online directory of over 400 of the state’s cybersecurity product and service companies at www.MDcyber.com/listings and hosts a variety of programs throughout the year to provide face-to-face connection opportunities. Also nationally unique is CAMI’s skills-based cybersecurity jobs platform (www.MDcyberjobs.com) that connects job seekers with Maryland cybersecurity career opportunities and training entities that can provide the skills, certifications and experience needed for jobs of interest.

 

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Posted on February 5, 2019 by Samantha Conklin