ISC2 Central Gulf Coast Chapter Newsletter

Chapter President Message

Celebrating our Liberty and Independence

The ISC2 Central Gulf Coast Chapter plays a pivotal role in fostering cybersecurity excellence and professional growth across the region. We inspire cybersecurity professionals, enthusiasts, and industry leaders to share knowledge, best practices, and insights on cutting-edge trends in the field through engaging events. These events not only provide valuable networking opportunities but also promote continuous learning and skill development, ensuring members stay abreast of evolving threats and technologies. Through this newsletter and our partnerships, the Chapter strives to serve as a hub for collaboration and education to advance cybersecurity resilience in the local community and beyond.

This month we are very excited about hosting Roger Grimes to discuss Quantum Encryption. Roger is a well-known cybersecurity professional, author, and speaker. He has extensive experience in the field, specializing in computer security, data protection, and risk management. He has authored several books on cybersecurity, including "Hacking the Hacker" and "A Data-Driven Computer Security Defense." He is also a columnist for InfoWorld magazine, where he writes about various aspects of cybersecurity and provides practical advice for IT professionals and organizations. Roger is highly recognized for his expertise in penetration testing, incident response, and securing IT infrastructure against evolving cyber threats. We hope that you will attend this discussion with Roger! This event has been rescheduled for July 18th at 4pm to accommodate more participants.

We are also proud to announce our August virtual event with Jim Jenkins, Vice President of Vantage West Credit Union to discuss DevSecOps. Jim integrates his financial leadership with a keen focus on cybersecurity, ensuring robust protection of member data and financial assets. His strategic approach combines banking operations expertise with proactive measures to safeguard against emerging cyber threats in the financial sector. This event has been scheduled for Aug 15th at 12pm.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let's remember that our freedom extends to the digital realm as well. Just as our forefathers fought for liberty, we must protect our cybersecurity with vigilance and resilience. Let's also reflect on the importance of safeguarding our online identities, data, and systems. In this profession we are continuously learning and evolving. We should embrace the spirit of innovation and determination that defines our community by ensuring our cybersecurity practices are strong and our digital borders secure. Happy Fourth of July, and may our commitment to freedom encompass both the physical and virtual worlds.

Events

Digital Forensics Research Conference - USA

LSU is hosting the DFRWS this year, July 9-12.
https://dfrws.org/conferences/dfrws-usa-2024/
10% Discount for ISC2 Members CGCISC2

July Chapter Event - Quantum Encryption

Who: Roger Grimes, CPA, CISSP, CEH, MCSE, CISA, CISM, CNE Data-Driven Defense Evangelist for KnowBe4, Inc.
What: Quantum Encryption
When: Jul 18, 4:00pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration Link (Register by Jul 16, 5:00pm)

Roger is the author of 14 books and over 1400 articles on computer security, specializing in host security and preventing hacker and malware attacks. Roger is a frequent speaker at national computer security conferences and was the weekly security columnist at InfoWorld and CSO magazines between 2005 - 2019. He has worked at some of the world’s largest computer security companies, including, Foundstone, McAfee, and Microsoft. Roger is frequently interviewed and quoted in the media including Newsweek, CNN, NPR, and WSJ.

Aug Chapter Event - DevSecOps Unleashed: Integrating Security at Speed

Who: Jim Jinkins, Vice President Vantage West Credit Union
What: DevSecOps Unleashed: Integrating Security at Speed
When: Aug 15, 12:00pm
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration Link (Register by Aug 13, 5:00pm)

Jim Jinkins brings over two decades of expertise in cybersecurity to his role as Vice President at Vantage West Credit Union. With a proven track record in developing and implementing robust cybersecurity strategies, Jim is dedicated to safeguarding the community from evolving digital threats.

Jim is also passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills with the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. He has been teaching cyber security graduate courses at Seattle Pacific University since 2012, covering topics such as blockchain for business, cyber security risk management, and cyber security disaster response. Jim holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity Management and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), reflecting his deep knowledge and ongoing dedication to the field. Jim is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science and psychology, focusing on DevSecOps, and security data science. His goal is to contribute to the advancement of the cyber security discipline and to help organizations achieve a strong security posture in the connected world of cloud, mobile, services, and web.

Community

Regional Groups

The following are associated groups that meet in major cities across the Central Gulf Coast and have support from ISC2 CGC Chapter Members.

Greater New Orleans Area:
NOLASec LinkedIn Group site
2nd Wednesday of each month Subject to Change
Networking 5:00pm-6:00pm, presentation 6:00pm-7:00pm
Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux (1009 Poydras Street New Orleans, LA 70112)
Baton Rouge Area:
BRSec LinkedIn Group site
3rd Wednesday of each month 6:00pm-7:30pm
Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux (3838 Burbank Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70808)
Lafayette Area:
DEFCON Acadiana LinkedIn Group site
2nd Wednesday of each month 5:30pm-7:30pm
The Ruins in River Ranch (1919 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 303, Lafayette, LA 70508)
Lake Charles Area:
SWLA Cyber Club LinkedIn Group site
Last Wed every month 6:00pm-7:30pm
Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux (5313 Common St., Lake Charles, LA 70607)
Monroe Area:
NELATEK Website
Every 3rd Wednesday 6:00pm
Tower Place, 1500 N 19th St.

Mississippi Enterprise for Technology - CMMC workshops

The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology is hosting a learning opportunity for anyone interested in Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

CMMC 101: An Introduction to CMMC
Are you feeling pressure to prepare for CMMC -- but don't know how to begin? This virtual workshop will get you started!
Wednesday, July 10 @ 10am - 12pm (CT)
Registration Link

CMMC 102: Understanding the Security Controls
This deep dive into the requirements of CMMC L1 will focus on the assessment objectives and evidence, preparing you to assess L2.
Wednesday, July 24 @ 10am - 12pm (CT)
Registration Link

R3, 7012 & CMMC -- Where Are We Now?
An in-depth look at the changes from 800-171 R2 to R3 and in CMMC 2.0, with a timeline and next steps.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 @ 10am - 11:30am (CT)
Registration Link

Podcasts

Darknet Diaries

True stories from the dark side of the Internet This is a podcast about hackers, breaches, shadow government activity, hacktivism, cybercrime, and all the things that dwell on the hidden parts of the network. This is Darknet Diaries.
Youtube
Website
Digital Comic
New episodes every first Tuesday of the month.

SecureNation

The Coffee Table Talks are hosted by Rachel Arnold, The Human API, with SecureNation, and Will McCullen, Program Manager for the IT Center of Excellence at PIMA Community College.

Connect with SecureNation on LinkedIn
https://securenation.net/events

The Sensuous Sounds Of INFOSEC

The Sensuous Sounds Of INFOSEC podcast is hosted by a great friend to the ISC2 GCG Chapter, Ben Malisow.

Ben is the creator and lead instructor for the WannaBeA brand of certification preparation material (wannabeacissp.com), and has worked in the fields of education/training, communication, information technology, and security, and/or some combination of these industries, for over twenty-five years. He has provided information security consulting services and training to a diverse host of clients, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Department of Homeland Security (at TSA), and the FBI. He has also served as an Air Force officer, after graduating from the Air Force Academy.

The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, and more. https://www.securityzed.com

Continuing Professional Education

ISC2 Professional Development Resources

ISC2 understands the importance of staying ahead in the dynamic field of cybersecurity. They are committed to delivering best-in class professional programs and are excited to introduce our comprehensive suite of resources tailored to empower your growth and success. This includes:

Skill Builders - Short-format, hands-on learning experiences to bolster your proficiency.
Certificates - A validation of your knowledge and expertise to demonstrate your competency in specific areas of cybersecurity.
Webinars - Weekly sessions delving into emerging trends, tactical strategies and career tips, led by industry experts.
Online Certification Training - In-depth knowledge and skills coaching to prepare you for further certification exams.
AI Workshops - Two-day, in-person workshops focused on identifying opportunities and managing the risks associated with artificial intelligence.
Executive Leadership Courses - Deeper-level learning programs designed to equip you with the skills you need to effectively communicate with your Board of Directors.

Explore the range of offerings available to you as part of the ISC2 membership, designed to enhance your skill set and keep you well-equipped to tackle the latest challenges in cybersecurity. www.isc2.org/members#proDev

Volunteer

ISC2 Security Congress Volunteer Recruitment is Open!

We’re pleased to announce that we have several volunteer opportunities available at the Security Congress 2024 which will be a hybrid event again this year. Attendees will have the option to attend virtually or in person at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV USA, October 14-16, 2024 (pre-conference workshops are October 12-13). Volunteer opportunities are available for both formats.

Opportunities include introducing speakers, monitoring rooms, and facilitating Q&A or online session chats. More information about these opportunities is available here: SC2024 Volunteer Overview.

There are many benefits to volunteering, including a complimentary conference registration pass to either the in-person or virtual event.

Please complete this quick survey to let us know whether you’re interested in volunteering virtually or in-person and your level of comfort with the tasks. The survey will remain open until Monday, May 20th at 11:59 pm EST and we will let you know if you have been selected by early June.

We hope you stay safe and look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this October! 

About

Special Thanks to our Chapter Sponsor

TEKsystems transforms business for their customers. TEK brings real-world expertise to solve complex technology, business and talent challenges—In Louisiana, Mississippi, and across the globe. TEK is a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia. TEK is the perfect partner for scalability, full-stack capabilities and speed. TEK has strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change. TEK is building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and driving positive impacts in our communities.

Explore the world of TEKsystems careers and put your talent to work in exciting job opportunities. Join their dynamic team and unleash your potential.

https://www.teksystems.com/en/contact

ISC2 CGC Chapter

The ISC2 Central Gulf Coast Chapter, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Greater New Orleans area. It was chartered by ISC2 in January 2021 to serve the Central Gulf Coast region - Louisiana and Mississippi.

Connect with us on LinkedIn
- LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/isc2-cgcchapter

You do NOT need to be ISC2 certified to join the chapter - part of our Chapter's Mission is to support those interested in earning certification.
Contact president@isc2-cgcchapter.org to get involved with Chapter leadership meetings or to help support events/activities.