University of Minnesota to host first-ever Cyber Security Summit

Contacts:

Ginny Levi, Technological Leadership Institute, glevi@tli.umn.edu, 612-625-0371

Rhonda Zurn, College of Science and Engineering, rzurn@umn.edu, (612) 626-7959

Preston Smith, University News Services, smith@umn.edu, (612) 625-0552

Event focuses on securing our nation’s digital infrastructure

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (09/15/2011) – As the global economy increasingly operates in a digital world, the Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) in the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering is hosting the First Annual Cyber Security Summit. The event is 7:30-11:45 a.m., Monday, Oct. 3, at the University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.

The growing number of attacks on our cyber networks has become, in President Barack Obama's words, “One of the most serious economic and national security threats our nation faces.”

The Cyber Security Summit at the University of Minnesota will bring together leaders from the government, business, and non-profit sectors to collaborate on digital infrastructure security issues and share views concerning our nation’s readiness to manage the escalating threat.

“Protecting against security threats cannot be accomplished by the sole effort of any entity acting alone,” said Gopal Khanna, a senior fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Technological Leadership Institute. “Rather, the combined vigilance of government, technology developers, and industry, serves as the best protection for all.”

The summit’s keynote topics range from the overall national strategy concerning cyber security to a more in-depth look at risk management. This year’s keynote speakers are nationally recognized and come from the Information Technology Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). William Barker is the associate director and chief cybersecurity advisor and Ron Ross is a senior computer scientist.

There will also be a panel discussion, moderated by Kathy Grayson, a reporter for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. This panel will be represented by leaders from both the public and private sectors, offering perspective on the them “Linking Public and Private Sector Resources to Strengthen our National Security.” Confirmed panelists include Christopher P. Buse, chief information security officer, State of Minnesota, and Michael L. Kearn, CISSP, NSA-IAM, vice president and information security officer, Interest Rate Derivatives & Principal Investments Group, Wells Fargo Securities.

This event is open to private and public organizations. Discounted rates are available for government employees, students, and faculty. Early registration rates end Friday, Sept. 23. To register or for more information, visit www.cybersecuritysummit.org.