(ISC)² Blog

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Evolves Its Mission Statement

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the charitable foundation of (ISC)² founded in 2011, aims to grow the cybersecurity profession and its positive impact on the world by raising awareness, building a diverse pipeline of cybersecurity professionals and activating a more secure digital world. Originally, the Center was created to serve as the home for cyber safety awareness programs and a place for the next generation of cyber professionals to receive educational scholarships. However, as the modern cybersecurity landscape has intensified and the global workforce gap of needed cybersecurity professionals has increased, (ISC)² is committed to meeting these demands.... Read more →

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Looking for Volunteer Leaders

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is seeking the guidance and leadership of volunteers willing to serve on its Board of Trustees beginning July 1, 2023 to help achieve its mission. The Center, the charitable foundation of (ISC)², serves to break down barriers in exposure and access to the cyber profession and provide opportunities for underserved individuals, groups and organizations. Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, all individuals interested in volunteering to serve on the Center Trustee Board are invited to apply for consideration. A broad range of experience and expertise is needed from a diverse and vibrant group... Read more →

What Does Volunteering at (ISC)² Mean? Hear From Volunteer Lisa Vaughan

Volunteering is at the heart of the mission of (ISC)². The individuals who offer their time, skills and knowledge positively impact their community helping create a safer and more secure cyber world. We want to highlight some of our volunteers, the impact they make on the cybersecurity profession and the world at large during annual Volunteer Appreciation Week. We interviewed Lisa Vaughan, CISSP to discuss her cybersecurity career, the various volunteer roles she has held at (ISC)² and the impact volunteering has on her life. Lisa is the Executive Director, Information Technology for Hexagon U.S. Federal. In addition to holding... Read more →

KnowBe4 Spreads Cyber Awareness Training to Their Community

At (ISC)² our vision is to inspire a safe and secure cyber world. Our members and the greater cyber community help to make this possible through (ISC)² Chapters and individual volunteer opportunities that promote cyber education and cyber safe practices. For this interview, we connected with KnowBe4, a company that works with its employees to encourage outreach opportunities to promote and further cyber education and discuss how other companies can create a similar model. Why does KnowBe4 prioritize cyber awareness training? The foundation of KnowBe4 was built on spreading security awareness training to employees to help better protect their organizations.... Read more →

HOW TO BECOME AN (ISC)² VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CYBERSECURITY COMMUNITY

Ever wonder what more you can do to narrow the cybersecurity skills gap or how you can use your cybersecurity skills to make a difference in your local community? (ISC)² has the answer. (ISC)² unveiled a formal Volunteer Program to connect members and non-members with opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity industry on a global and local scale. As a bonus, members and associates can earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits by contributing their time and participating in various professional volunteer activities. Integral to the (ISC)² vision of Inspiring a Safe and Secure Cyber World, the Volunteer Program... Read more →

(ISC)² Cybersecurity Scholarship Opportunities – Open Now!

(ISC)² is now accepting applications for its 2022 Women's Cybersecurity Scholarships, Undergraduate Cybersecurity Scholarships and Graduate Cybersecurity Scholarships. More than $100,000 in scholarships will be awarded in 2022. Applicants are evaluated based on academic excellence, passion for the industry and financial need. They are reviewed by volunteer (ISC)² members. If you are a member interested in participating and earning CPE credits, send an email to [email protected] These scholarships are part of an effort to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap—which stands at 2.72 million needed professionals—by providing future cybersecurity professionals across the globe with scholarships to prepare them for a rewarding... Read more →

Meet Roela Santos, Honoree of the 2021 (ISC)² Julie Peeler Franz "Do It for The Children" Volunteer Award

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Julie Peeler Franz "Do It for The Children" Volunteer Award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the betterment of internet safety. This year's distinction is awarded to Roela Santos of BAE Systems, Inc. for her long-time support of Center programs and leadership in developing the Raytheon, Engility, and SAIC cybersecurity scholarships, which have awarded $424,000 to 56 students over the past six years. Santos is the Vice President of Communications at BAE Systems, a global leader in defense technology and systems integration for the U.S. government and one of the world’s... Read more →

Celebrating Women in Cybersecurity and Committing to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Today is International Women’s Day and what better way to celebrate it than with a glimpse into the careers of four successful women in cybersecurity. At 11 a.m. ET, (ISC)2 will host “Celebrating International Women’s Day: Carving a Cybersecurity Career Path.” This group of accomplished security professionals will come together to discuss why women should be interested in joining the cybersecurity field and ways to encourage this. They will also share highlights in their own journeys in the profession that led them to the leadership positions they now hold. You can attend the event live or watch the replay by... Read more →

Garfield Teaches Hawaii Students how to be Safe and Secure Online

The nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education (Center) is providing 1,300 local elementary students with a Garfield-led online safety education program, thanks to a donation from area cybersecurity professionals. With the gift from the (ISC)² Hawaii Chapter, media specialists serving the seven elementary schools at the Leilehua Complex will conduct the award-winning Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures lesson with students before they go on spring break. The online instructor-led lesson allows students to learn digital citizenship through interactive storybooks, online class discussions, and engaging Garfield cartoons via their home computer. “It’s rewarding to collaborate with professional organizations that want to... Read more →

The Center wants to send you to college. Interested?

Are you pursing a degree (or another) in cyber or information security? Know someone who is? The Center for Cyber Safety and Education can help! The high demand for skilled cybersecurity experts and lack of qualified candidates equals a world of opportunity for students and those looking to change careers. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is excited to kick off our biggest scholarship year in our 10-year history! Thanks to partners like (ISC)², SAIC, Raytheon and KnowBe4, we will be awarding in 2021 a record $235,000 in financial aid to some 70 students from around the world. Who... Read more →

Virtual Engagement Activities at #ISC2Congress

Like most things this year, (ISC)² Security Congress looks a little different. This year’s virtual event might not have you gathering with thousands of colleagues in Orlando, but you can still enjoy many of the fun activities we’ve offered over the years. Be sure to log into https://securitycongress.brighttalk.live/networking-engagement/ using your BrightTALK credentials. Escape Room A crowd pleaser at past Security Congress conferences, Living Security is back this year with their Virtual CyberEscape Room. Play online with colleagues in this team-based, engaging and FUN exercise. Sign your team up. Panoply Another Security Congress classic is the Panoply competition. This network assessment... Read more →

Virtual Networking Lounges and Engagement Activities at #ISC2Congress

One of the biggest draws to (ISC)² Security Congress is networking and engaging with other experts in the cybersecurity industry. Despite the lack of gathering together in-person, #ISC2Congress 2020 will not be lacking in the opportunities for connecting with others, learning best practices and providing career enhancement in five networking lounges throughout the conference. With more than 4,500 attendees registered, there is something for everyone at all career levels. Each of the five topic-specific lounges will allow attendees to participate in a discussion forum, access resources, view presentations, ask questions and even earn CPEs for attending. Attendees and Members Lounge... Read more →

Garfield for Virtual Classrooms

The nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education (Center) launched a new “Garfield Virtual” internet safety program for distance learning. “Schools worldwide are choosing to continue their classes online. This poses two challenges: looking for quality online educational programs and teaching vital internet safety to students. Garfield for virtual classrooms does both,” says Patrick Craven, Director of the Center. Garfield Virtual allows teachers to introduce digital citizenship education in a fun and engaging environment without having to acquire additional software. The program is based on the Center’s printed award-winning Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures Educator Kit targeting children ages 6 to... Read more →

Stop Worrying About Your Child's Online Safety, Let Garfield Do the Work

Contributed by The Center for Cyber Safety and Education As a parent, keeping up with the latest online trends can be exhausting. One week your kids are “Snapping” with friends and the next they are trying to create viral videos on TikTok. That’s why at the nonprofit, Center for Cyber Safety and Education, we focused on giving you tools to teach safe habits rather than a rundown of the latest trending apps. At the Center, we know you are the kind of parent who wants to keep your child safe and secure online. But first, you need access to efficient... Read more →

Positively Impacting the Next Generation with Cyber Safety Day

As use of the internet becomes more acceptable in schools and expected at younger ages, cyber safety education is a necessity. While tablets, computers and smart devices are the norm at home and school for children, many students are not taught about the potential dangers faced while using technology. Shockingly, 40% of students in fourth through eighth grades have chatted with a stranger online, of those, 53% gave out their phone number to the stranger and 11% met with a stranger according to Children’s Internet Usage Study. Statistics like these are the impetus behind the mission of the Center for... Read more →

In Case You Missed It: Recapping Security Congress 2019

Security Congress 2019 was our largest and most in-depth cybersecurity education conference to date. Held over the course of three days in October, the event was jam-packed with more than 180 sessions (covering 18 tracks), over 200 speakers and headline-worthy keynote speakers. There was a 32% increase in overall registration from the previous year and 58% of all attendees were attending (ISC)2 Security Congress for the very first time. Attendees from more than 50 different countries came together to network and learn from their colleagues in the cybersecurity field. In addition to learning about such topics as Cloud Security, Cyber... Read more →

What Are You Doing for Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

As published in the July/August edition of InfoSecurity Professional Magazine By Pat Craven, Director of the Center for Cyber Safety and Education As cybersecurity and cyber safety continue to become a growing global conversation, there are an increasing number of themed days and events to help promote the industry and highlight the need to educate people on how to be safe online. One of the biggest promotions of the year is Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October. October is a busy time of year for your Center for Cyber Safety and Education. We plan all year for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and... Read more →

Center Day at Congress

(ISC)²’s biggest and best Security Congress yet – with three days of more than 175 sessions and 200 speakers – kicks off in less than three months! Act now - Early Bird registration is still open and workshops and pre-conference trainings are filling up. This year’s conference will be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and will feature workshops, career resources, awards, an escape room and so much more. Our Center for Cyber Safety and Education will once again host its annual volunteer orientation and other special programming. Find out what Center Day at (ISC)² Security... Read more →

Beware of Scams this Holiday Season

By Tony Vizza, CISSP, (ISC)² Director of Cybersecurity Advocacy, APAC Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of phishing attempts, both using cyber based methods as well as traditional methods such as phone calls, text messages and even postal service scams. Scammers rely on psychological trigger points to succeed. December, in particular, is a stressful time for many people. Boozy Christmas parties, buying presents for your family (and finding something your partner will like), planning the holiday getaway with the kids and of course wrapping up end-of-quarter and end-of-year and you have a... Read more →

Thank You for Another Exciting Year

By David Shearer, CISSP, (ISC)² CEO The (ISC)² team would like to extend our gratitude to you for being an (ISC)² member. Thank you for all you do each day to help us achieve our vision of inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. We are excited by the progress and development made in 2018 as the global (ISC)² team continues their commitment to delivering value to you. I’m happy to share some of the teams’ accomplishments with you, including: Multi-Factor Authentication Now Available I’m thrilled to share that we have added Multi-Factor Authentication as an additional layer of security... Read more →