July 21-25, 2025 | Gen Cyber Camp for Rising 9th - 12th Graders
The GenCyber program, funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation, aims to equip the next generation with vital digital security skills.
Event Details
Date: July 21-25, 2025
Time: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: TBD
Register: https://www.uaht.edu/gencyber/
Forge Institute is excited to announce that applications are now open for 50 coveted spots in its upcoming GenCyber Student Camp. This grant supported week-long camp, running from July 21-25, 2025, is designed to ignite interest in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity among rising 9th to 12th-grade students. the camp will be held locally and lunch is provided.
The GenCyber program, funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation, aims to equip the next generation with vital digital security skills. Students attending the Forge Institute GenCyber Student Camp will explore core cybersecurity concepts such as Defense in Depth, Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, thinking like an adversary, and keeping it simple. The curriculum will also cover topics like cryptography, cryptanalysis, and ethical hacking principles through hands-on training, interactive activities, and engagement with industry experts. Students will make and take their own raspberry pi computer. Register Now
June 10, 2025 | Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Dr. Chris Farnell
Join us for this virtual session presented by Dr. Chris Farnell.
Chris received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2020 and is an IEEE Senior Member. His research interests include Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure, Embedded System Design, FPGA Design, Advanced Control Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Power Electronics. He is currently serving as an Associate Director for the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) located at the University of Arkansas. This 12,000 square-foot laboratory provides the equipment, technical staff, and instrumentation to test and evaluate power electronic circuits and systems at realistic industrial and distribution voltage levels up to 6 MVA power ratings. Chris is the current chair for the IEEE Ozark Section, treasurer for the newly formed IEEE Computer Society Chapter, the CyberHogs Registered Student Organization (RSO) faculty mentor, and remains active in K-12 outreach activities.
Event Details
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: VIRTUAL
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1376213384279?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us for this virtual session presented by Dr. Chris Farnell.
CYBERSECURITY FOR OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Chris received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2020 and is an IEEE Senior Member. His research interests include Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure, Embedded System Design, FPGA Design, Advanced Control Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Power Electronics. He is currently serving as an Associate Director for the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) located at the University of Arkansas. This 12,000 square-foot laboratory provides the equipment, technical staff, and instrumentation to test and evaluate power electronic circuits and systems at realistic industrial and distribution voltage levels up to 6 MVA power ratings. Chris is the current chair for the IEEE Ozark Section, treasurer for the newly formed IEEE Computer Society Chapter, the CyberHogs Registered Student Organization (RSO) faculty mentor, and remains active in K-12 outreach activities.
May 13, 2025 Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Virginia Wright of Idaho National Labs
There are many parallels between a great technology career and a hero’s journey. We start out with one set of capabilities and expectations, and over time, hone our knowledge, skills, and abilities to have a greater impact on the world around us and receive greater rewards. We gain tools, contacts, and experiences that can help us on our way, and our goals and objectives change as our capabilities advance. Through the metaphor of an adventure game, this talk will help you identify how you can “level-up” your career and refine how you use your attributes and inventory for success.
There are many parallels between a great technology career and a hero’s journey. We start out with one set of capabilities and expectations, and over time, hone our knowledge, skills, and abilities to have a greater impact on the world around us and receive greater rewards. We gain tools, contacts, and experiences that can help us on our way, and our goals and objectives change as our capabilities advance. Through the metaphor of an adventure game, this talk will help you identify how you can “level-up” your career and refine how you use your attributes and inventory for success.
Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Megan Culler of Idaho National Labs
In this talk, Megan will discuss how to develop a cyber supply chain risk management program, to include assessment of vendor risk and applying appropriate mitigations. She will discuss key risk factors and the challenges of securing supply chains in complex and dynamic vendor environments. Finally, she will share example language that can be adopted in RFPs and procurement contracts to promote supply chain security.
In this talk, Megan will discuss how to develop a cyber supply chain risk management program, to include assessment of vendor risk and applying appropriate mitigations. She will discuss key risk factors and the challenges of securing supply chains in complex and dynamic vendor environments. Finally, she will share example language that can be adopted in RFPs and procurement contracts to promote supply chain security.
February 11, 2024 - Igniting Ingenuity - LAB INSIGHTS With Ginger Wright, Program Manager at Idaho National Labs
In this talk, Ginger will explore a process to leverage the existing enterprise risk management strategy to prioritize where to apply security mitigations proportionally to the consequence of a cyber attack on control systems / operational technology and additional engineering-based protections which can be applied.
When information technology systems are affected by cyber attacks, the impacts largely affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of business data, but when operational technology and industrial control systems are affected, the impacts can range from loss of production capacity, lowered project quality, higher costs of doing business and physical damage. In this talk, Ginger will explore a process to leverage the existing enterprise risk management strategy to prioritize where to apply security mitigations proportionally to the consequence of a cyber attack on control systems / operational technology and additional engineering-based protections which can be applied.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, February 11th
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Venue: Virtual
About Ginger:
Virginia “Ginger” Wright is the program manager for Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). She leads INL’s implementation of the National Strategy for Cyber-Informed Engineering developed by the Department of Energy. Ms. Wright has led multiple cyber research programs at INL including DOE-CESER’s Cyber Testing for Resilient Industrial Control Systems (CyTRICS™) program, Software Bills of Material for the Energy Sector, critical infrastructure modeling and simulation, and nuclear cybersecurity. Ms. Wright has a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems/Operations Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Jan. 14, 2024 - Igniting Ingenuity - LAB INSIGHTS With Megan Culler
The "Energy Sector Threat Brief: 2024 Round Up" will examine key cybersecurity incidents affecting the energy sector over the past year. Megan Culler highlights trends in vulnerability disclosure, operational impacts, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, while offering lessons for operators and partners to mitigate risks in 2025 amidst a more complex and interconnected grid.
Forge Institute is hosting its next Igniting Ingenuity event! During this virtual lunch and learn, Megan will present an Energy Sector Threat Brief.” Megan is an electrical engineer with a background in power systems and cybersecurity, and a passion for clean, secure, resilient energy. Her experience in cybersecurity and power engineering roles allows her a unique approach to problems of grid modernization and the clean energy transition.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, January 14th
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 PM
Venue: Virtual
The "Energy Sector Threat Brief: 2024 Round Up" will examine key cybersecurity incidents affecting the energy sector over the past year. Megan Culler highlights trends in vulnerability disclosure, operational impacts, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, while offering lessons for operators and partners to mitigate risks in 2025 amidst a more complex and interconnected grid.
Jan. 16, 2024 - Igniting Ingenuity with Perry Carpenter
Step into the world of the FAIK Files, where Perry Carpenter, cybersecurity expert and author, unravels the mysteries of AI-driven deception. Explore how artificial intelligence is blurring the lines between reality and fabrication. Through a series of eye-opening "case files," witness the anatomy of digital deception campaigns and the cognitive attacks that make them effective.
Forge Institute is hosting its next Igniting Ingenuity event! This monthly discussion series and happy hour, will feature insightful conversations about innovation, mentorship, AI, infrastructure, and more. It will also be an opportunity to network with fellow experts, students, technologists, and entrepreneurs.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, January 16th
Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue: Few Digital Product Agency - 1310 S. Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202
Step into the world of the FAIK Files, where Perry Carpenter, cybersecurity expert and author, unravels the mysteries of AI-driven deception. Explore how artificial intelligence is blurring the lines between reality and fabrication. Through a series of eye-opening "case files," witness the anatomy of digital deception campaigns and the cognitive attacks that make them effective.
Learn to apply the FAIK Factor, a powerful framework for navigating our AI-saturated information landscape. Leave equipped with practical tools to spot AI-generated content and strategies to protect yourself in a world where the authentic and artificial increasingly converge. Don't miss this crucial briefing on thriving in our hyperreal future! Register on eventbrite today and bring a friend!
Sept. 17-19, 2025 - Forge Summit
The 6th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit will be held in Central Arkansas. Join us for special discussions with leading CISOs, award-winning researchers, and state, federal, intelligence and military leaders. Enjoy topic-specific breakout sessions, networking opportunities, round tables, and keynote presentations. Explore cutting-edge cybersecurity trends, current threats, success stories, and strategic partnerships driving cybersecurity awareness and development.
WHEN: September 17-19, 2025
WHERE: Little Rock, Arkansas
REGISTRATION:
Pre-registration required. Click here to register. Attendees must be U.S. citizens.
The 6th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit will be held in Central Arkansas.
Join us for special discussions with leading CISOs, award-winning researchers, and state, federal, intelligence and military leaders. Enjoy topic-specific breakout sessions, networking opportunities, round tables, and keynote presentations. Explore cutting-edge cybersecurity trends, current threats, success stories, and strategic partnerships driving cybersecurity awareness and development.
Note: To attend Forge Institute’s annual summit, all attendees must be US Citizens. We (along with our partners) reserve the right to deny admittance to anyone for any reason. Attendees must be pre-registered. Click any of the “Register Now” buttons on this page.
