WiCyS Newsletter
As we continue celebrating holiday cheer, we're also wrapping up a year of transformation and growth for WiCyS. We sincerely thank the generous amount of time, energy, and commitment from our committee members, volunteers, board of directors, and more who are devoted to helping steer the ship of WiCyS through a year of change. It's truly a testament to how we are all stronger together and thrive collectively in the cybersecurity landscape and workforce. Diving into 2024 will include starting new projects, adding a virtual WiCyS conference component, launching a new member portal with more advanced engagement features, and offering new opportunities to join the community. Additionally, we are proud to feature our 2023 annual report in this month's edition of the newsletter. Through this annual report, you will witness the growth throughout 2023 but know that the momentum has been going strong since our humble beginnings in 2014. View the 2023 annual report HERE. With gratitude, WiCyS Leadership
Leading with equity, inclusion, and allyship is a conversation where leaders within the WiCyS organization agree to engage in a conversation from a place of consent for us to learn and grow. The WiCyS Leadership Series: "Speak. Listen. Community." cultivates the community and space for that dialogue. In January, WiCyS volunteers in a leadership capacity (student chapter, committees, affiliates, etc.) will join Executive and Transformational Life Coach Vanessa Vining to explore the intersectionality of DE&I best practices and personal leadership development. Vanessa will offer insightful strategies for leaders to integrate these principles into their career journey while fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect in their organization.
If you are a WiCyS leader and want to join the January session, email quiana@wicys.org.
On November 16, 2023, the National Cryptologic Foundation partnered with the Global Cyber Security Hall of Fame to host the 2023 Cyber Security Hall of Fame Awards. Congratulations to Diana Kelley, WiCyS board member and the CISO at Protect AI, for being a 2023 honoree! The Cyber Security Hall of Fame started in 2012 to recognize global cyber security leaders while encouraging future generations to follow in their footsteps. The Cyber Security Hall of Fame represents the mission: "Respect the Past - Protect the Future," and honors innovative individuals and organizations possessing the vision and leadership necessary to create the foundational building blocks for the Cyber Security industry.
To view the full article announcing Diana's award, visit HERE.
As the Holiday season concludes, Microsoft, a WiCyS strategic partner, offers insights in the "Holiday Season DDoS Defense" guide, catering to professionals, IT practitioners, and enthusiasts for enhanced protection against threats like phishing and DDoS attacks. Simultaneously, Microsoft, in collaboration with Arkose Labs, takes decisive action against Storm-1152, a threat actor group responsible for generating and selling fraudulent Microsoft accounts. This proactive approach targets the cybercrime-as-a-service ecosystem, disrupting websites and social media platforms associated with Storm-1152. Microsoft's threat intelligence aims to protect users from various malicious endeavors.
To learn more about the Holiday Season DDoS Protection Guide, visit HERE.
To learn more about Microsoft disrupting the gateway services to cybercrime, visit HERE.
A WiCyS guest editor is partnering each month with SANS Institute on the SANS OUCH! Security Awareness newsletter. This newsletter is crafted by a team of volunteers to provide everyday computer users the tools needed to stay secure in our ever-changing, globally-connected, virtual environment. Quintana Patterson who is an IT Clinical and Compliance Manager for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and chair of the WiCyS Equity Advocacy Committee was a guest editor for the month of December. Quintana partnered with SANS to guest edit "The Power of the Passphrase".
To read the December OUCH newsletter, visit HERE.
The Job Board++ is the place for WiCyS members to check out if you’re seeking employment! Each WiCyS strategic partner has their booth and job postings up and ready for you to explore! Log in and get started HERE.
Carnegie Mellon University - Software Engineering Institute
Lockheed Martin
MITRE
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Analytical professional with a passion for communicating.
1yEnjoyed reading the Microsoft report - thank you for sharing it!
Director Tax & Advisory Services || Business Leader and Tax Executive || Keynote Speaker || Tax Policy || Tax Risk || Compliance || Fraud || Data Privacy || Cyber Risk || Author || Female Leadership
1yVery Informative