KDC
TOPEKA – Registration is now open for the first, large-scale cyber security event in Kansas which will take place October 4, 2017 at the Wichita State University Hughes Metroplex, 5015 East 29th St North. The inaugural Cyber Security Forum will offer invaluable insight for business and security decision makers in small businesses, non-profits, and government, as well as provide a platform for students and educators to engage with industry professionals. The Forum also aims to raise the awareness of Kansas’ position as a leader in the cyber security field.
The daylong event which is free and open to the public will feature experts in cyber security from across the state, nationally recognized industry and government professionals, educators and researchers from higher education, and military personnel from McConnell Air Force Base. The detailed event program and complete list of speakers can be found on the event website at https://www.wichitacybersecurityforum.com/.
“The idea behind the event was generated by a conversation with a Wichita-based small business that wanted to raise the awareness level of cyber defense for other small businesses across our state,” said Lisa Roberts, Kansas SBDC associate state director. “That conversation led to reaching out to other organizations interested in achieving the same goals. Over time our work evolved into what we are sure will be an amazing day in October.”
The planning team, led by the Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC), is a collaboration of multiple community organizations, educational institutions, and private sector businesses, all who are involved in cyber security industry or cyber defense. The event is in line with the Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth, a 10-county regional cluster based economic development plan led by the Greater Wichita Partnership. “Cyber security is a growing field across the country and globe, and is significant to our local economy here in Wichita. The 184th Intelligence Wing at McConnell Air Force Base and expanding local educational and degree attainment programs are reinforcing the infrastructure to drive job creation in our region,” said Andrew Nave, Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Wichita Partnership.
Sponsors include:
Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC)
Kansas Department of Commerce
Greater Wichita Partnership
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas
Wichita State University
Friends University
Butler Community College
Booz Allen Hamilton
Kansas Air National Guard
Better Business Bureau, Inc.
Ennovar Technology Solutions
Keller Leopold Insurance
Kansas PTAC
TriCorps Security
TriCorps Cybersecurity
In addition to the all-day forum on October 4, there will be closing reception from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Wichita State University Experiential Engineering Building 4110 E 17th St North, Wichita. Kansas Interim Secretary of Commerce Nick Jordan will address the group to start the evening networking event.
A full schedule, registration details and speaker list may be found on the event website at
https://www.wichitacybersecurityforum.com/.
About Kansas Small Business Development Center
We help business. We are small business advisors.
The Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC) is a statewide small business (typically less than 500 employees) advising, consulting, and training service funded by federal, state, and local partners. Funding through tax dollars allows the Kansas SBDC to provide advising and training (i.e. cash flow, marketing, and market data) to businesses across the state at low or no cost. The SBDC is part of a larger national association committed to helping small businesses reach their development, improvement, and transition goals.
To learn more, visit http://www.kansassbdc.net or call 877-625-7232.