Forge Institute Launches “Ask A CISO” Program with Industry Cyber Executives
Forge Institute has launched a new program designed to give small and mid-sized businesses valuable cyber and information security counsel. The unique program, “Ask a CISO,” makes available a variety of experts and security leaders to answer pre-submitted questions in a panel type of forum. The initial panel will include four CISOs and directors of security, Beth-Anne Bygum of Acxiom, Phil Clark of AECC, Jason Cathey of Bank OZK, and Devin Shirley of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Forge Institute enhances its Emerging Threat Center with CISA’s Cyber Information Sharing and Collaboration Program
“Cyber threat information from the CISCP program and the feeds from the AIS program aid in the ETC’s illumination of cyber threats that could potentially impact our member’s cyber infrastructure” said Watson.”
Former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Gary Stoops Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
Today we announce the addition of former FBI Deputy Assistant Director General Gary Stoops to the organization’s advisory board. Mr. Stoops worked for many years with the National White Collar Crime Center and was instrumental in the creation of the National Security and Intelligence Program at Fairmont State and its Open Source Intelligence Exchange (OSIX) laboratory.
Forge Institute to Establish the Consortium for Cyber Innovation with UA Little Rock, UAPB & Acxiom
“The Consortium for Cyber Innovation is monumental to developing our high-tech workforce and developing new capabilities to prevent, detect and mitigate emerging technology risks to businesses, including our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Lee Watson, CEO of the Forge Institute. “Both campuses already have outstanding undergraduate and graduate Computer Science programs, cybersecurity resources, and world-class faculty. We’re excited to lend our expertise to this very important endeavor which will help fill the coming 3.4 million job gap.”
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation Enrolls IT Professionals in Forge Institute Training Academy
“Arkansas is becoming the rallying point for cybersecurity. By participating in and supporting Forge Institute’s Training Academy, organizations including AECC benefit from having access to robust professional training from entry level bootcamps to advanced penetration testing courses like Red Team Operations,” said Robert McClanahan.
Training Development & Instruction Manager
Forge Institute seeks a Full-Time Training Development & Instruction Manager who will be responsible for the oversight of Forge’s catalog of training courses. This includes developing curriculum based on our private and public partner needs, developing labs and projects, assessments and other components of our IT and cybersecurity training programs. In addition, you’ll assist our team with promotion, engagement, data collection, and more to ensure all of Forge Institute’s training programs are a success.
Open Position: Cybersecurity Instructor
Forge Institute seeks a Full-Time Cybersecurity Instructor who will be responsible for developing curriculum based on our private and public partner needs, developing labs and projects, assessments and other components of our cyber training programs.
Rural Community Alliance has partnered with the Forge Institute to bring entry-level IT & Cybersecurity training to very rural communities in Arkansas
Forge Institute and the Rural Community Alliance receive grant funding to expand IT/Cyber Fundamentals Training to 5 Underserved Communities.
Prescription for Cybersecurity:
GlaxoSmithKline Enlists its Staff in Forge Institute Cyber Training BootcampThe pharma industry bears all the characteristics of a primary target for cyberattacks: high revenues and intellectual property, including trade secrets and more. In fact, the “life sciences” industry was rated the fourth most “at risk” industry in terms of valuation impacts arising from cyber security issues, according to a Delotte survey.
“What’s Your Emergency?”
The National Day of Civic Hacking is reimagining the 911 emergency system
At Forge Institute think this is an exciting opportunity to change the conversation about cybersecurity and hacking. Traditionally everyone is up-in-arms trying to destroy hackers, this day brings forth a call to use your hacking skills for good. It will be exciting to see the innovation that comes from this day. It really is amazing to see what we come up with when we all work together for good.
"Data plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives."
Renowned Data Scientist Dr. Elizabeth Parker Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
Forge Institute, the Arkansas-based provider of cyber defense workforce training and threat analytic capabilities, announced today the addition of Dr. Elizabeth Parker to its Advisory Board. Dr. Parker serves as Sr. Director – Principal Data Scientist at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS).
Underserved Communities Gain the Opportunity to Learn New Cyber Skillsets
Cybersecurity is among those new industries growing in Arkansas, and a partnership Forge Institute and the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) is helping to spur the movement forward. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) helps families stay together by empowering family leaders with job skills and assistance. Forge Institute has partnered with the TANF program to provide entry level IT & cybersecurity skills to Arkansans eager to develop workforce ready skills.
Forge Institute partners with Splunk TruSTAR to provide Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform for Emerging Threat Center (ETC)
Forge Institute announced today a strategic partnership with Splunk TruSTAR, an industry-leading cloud-native intelligence management platform. The platform enhances seamless integration and actionable automation across Forge Institute’s ecosystem of collaborative information.
Spikes in E-Crime has Companies Turning to the Offensive Cyber Approach
In May of this year, President Biden responded to a rash of high-profile cyber attacks by issuing an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity1. Attacks on energy, health care, financial services and more are costing U.S. companies billions of dollars and threatening the nation’s security. This is compelling the U.S. government to become more proactive in its efforts to counter cyber terrorism.
Arkansas’ Cyber “Strike Team” trains with Forge Institute
The State of Arkansas Cyber Response Team (or Strike Team) recently spent a productive week training with the cybersecurity professionals at Forge Institute, strengthening the team’s cyber skills to provide a frontline of protection from adversaries wishing to disrupt or harm the State’s systems and networks.
Forge Institute provides Data Science for Executives course for military leaders
Forge Institute provided a one-day training seminar, “Data Science for Executives,” to senior leaders at the National Guard Bureau’s Professional Education Center (PEC), located on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Forge Institute has partnered with UA Little Rock’s Cyber Arena to support an NSA-sponsored Cybersecurity Summer Camp in Arkansas
The Forge Institute has announced a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Cyber Arena, the cybersecurity-focused lab within the Department of Computer Science. The initiative will support the first National Security Agency (NSA)-sponsored GenCyber Summer Camp in Arkansas for 7-12th graders.
The “Best” Cyber Investment: Forge Institute trains Arvest Bank employees to be cyber professionals
Financial services firms are 300 times more likely than other companies to be a victim of cyberattacks. Such attacks cost banks millions of dollars every year. Like many financial institutions, Arkansas-based Arvest Bank is taking measures to strengthen its cybersecurity.
Governor Asa Hutchinson appoints Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute, to the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council
In response to the growing threat of cyberattacks, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the formation of the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council (ACAC), intended to identify and manage the risk of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the State.
Among the twelve persons named to the council is Lee Watson, founder and CEO of Forge Institute and advocate for establishing Arkansas as the Cyber Defense State.