GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 03/28/2024 In March, Pedro Ramirez, senior technical advisor, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Enterprise Center, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter, sharing his thoughts on the Center of Excellence. Ramirez talked about a unique opportunity in 2018, working for the Jacobs Corporation, where he served as the director for Global Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cyber Security. He had the opportunity to manage teams across the globe and deal with the challenges of location and language differences. He learned early if you're not first, you're last. While abroad, he commented on the difficulties of physical security and dignitaries. They do things so differently because their priorities are different. He discussed the NC3 Enterprise Center's initiative to create the REACH facility as a way to establish a "Center of Excellence." The facility will integrate various areas of expertise under one roof. Ramirez pointed out the ability to perform technical tra ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 02/29/2024 In February, Pedro Ramirez, executive technical adviser, Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) Enterprise Center, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, was the guest speaker for the second Dinner with a Scientist event held at Omaha North High School. Ramirez covered his humble beginnings-how he first became interested in STEM as a child while investigating a computer he used for school. From there he talked about joining the Marine Corps, his interest in radios and computers, and finally coming to HMX-1 (Marine Helicopter Squadron One), the president's helicopter squadron. It was at HMX-1 where he became acquainted with the importance of security and just how serious the threats were to the mission; he began looking into how to protect the computer systems from these threats. At that time, Ramirez started his formal university education in computer science, specializing in what became known as cybersecurity. He began looking into not just how to mitigate threats but also how ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 02/29/2024 In February, Lisa McKee, founding partner, American Security, Dakota State University, Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing the importance of cloud security. McKee pointed out a number of cloud threats, and companies need to do a better job of protecting themselves and their employees. She relayed that 39% of businesses had experienced a cloud breach in their cloud environment in 2023. She cited the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report of 2023, which indicates the human element is involved in every three out of four incidents. McKee emphasized that cyber threats don't change. With the continued use of the cloud, threats only become greater. She touched on the OSINT Framework, which gathers free tools and makes them readily available. She also talked about compliance: it's one of the hardest jobs out there based on the breadth of knowledge necessary for the position. McKee discussed Core Privacy Rights, where companies need the customer's consent to collect an ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 01/25/2024 In January, Timothy Vidas, principal engineer, Amazon Web Services, Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter, sharing his thoughts on generative artificial intelligence (AI). To begin, Vidas revealed that his short bio slide was completely generated by generative AI. Vidas referred to generative AI as a subset of artificial intelligence that can create original content. He said it's not the best solution for everything but can be useful in some instances. Vidas feels generative AI is transforming society. It can create new content, improve existing content and personalize content for each individual user. Vidas also commented on generative AI's negative aspects. For instance, it's not very good at predictions/forecasting, classification of items or clustering/grouping. On the extreme end, there are ugly aspects to generative AI, where users engage in IP theft and reverse engineer the model to replicate its behavior. Vidas concluded by pointing out there are clea ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 12/07/2023 In December, Capt. Thomas Merkle, USN, chapter president, presided over the chapter's annual Holiday Mixer as the master of ceremonies. The mixer was held at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. After the event, Capt. Merkle was interviewed and shared his thoughts. When asked about the Holiday Mixer, Capt. Merkle commented that it was a great event where he learned more about several fellow chapter members. He was really inspired to see the motivation of the teachers in attendance, who were excited to receive their grants for STEM learning with their students. Capt. Merkle was asked what he finds most rewarding in guiding the chapter. He replied, "I enjoy the opportunity to meet so many fun, engaging tech-types who are, like me, interested in building the Offutt and broader Omaha, Nebraska, tech community while supporting the country's national security." When asked if he had a message to impart upon high schoolers, Capt. Merkle commented, "If you're interested in tec ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 10/12/2023 In October, John Sahlin, vice president, Cyber Solutions, General Dynamic Information Technology (GDIT), Falls Church, Virginia, spent time with the chapter sharing his thoughts on the prerequisites for successful zero-trust implementation in the federal government. During his discussion, Sahlin revealed five truths about zero trust. First, it is not a product despite many software vendors trying to sell their zero-trust wares as the solution. It is "an evolving set of cybersecurity paradigms that move defenses from static, network-based perimeters to focus on users, assets and resource." Second, the best practices aren't new, but the technology is. It entails cyber teams and adhering to security best practices. Third, saying you have a mandate is the worst reason to move to zero trust. It's important because the challenge faced is cyber adversaries are evolving. For instance, it takes just under 19 minutes on the average to commit a breach, and over 43% of breaches a ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 08/31/2023 In August, Gary Sparks, program director, Metropolitan (METRO) Community College Cybersecurity Center, Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing METRO's Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) efforts. Sparks pointed out that the CAE community consists of universities and community colleges nationwide working through Homeland Security and the National Security Agency to earn their CAE designation. Currently, 400 schools have CAE designation. It is common practice for CAE institutions to share their assignments, classes and best practices. Above all, this promotes ethical standards and standardized requirements for CAE certification. Sparks talked about providing the local community with support for grades K-12 through training and providing relatable content. Sparks commented that the local community often turns to educators to understand the cyber threats around them. He elaborated on the CAE designation process and clarified that CAE begins after the program of st ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 06/22/2023 The Great Plains-Rocky Mountain regional vice president presented the Greater Omaha Chapter's president with the Model Chapter Award for 2023 and the Member Retention Award for 2023 at the June luncheon. |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 06/22/2023 In June, Gen. Anthony Cotton, USAF, commander, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing STRATCOM needs. Gen. Cotton said his major objective is recruiting the right kind of STEM personnel. He reflected back to 1992 when the threat was nation-states making advances on the world scene. We've come full circle. For the past 25 years, Russia has been rebuilding and modernizing, threatening to pose the same threat as it once did. He talked about deMIRVING missiles as a lieutenant colonel. Now, as the STRATCOM commander, he's being asked how we are reMIRVING our missiles. Gen. Cotton commented that we are modernizing to ensure we remain fully capable 60 years from now. He talked about the commercial that claims, 'We're not your father's Oldsmobile.' Similarly, he doesn't want to be known as the "nuclear guy" but rather, someone who shows a more modernized "strategic deterrence" responsibility to the nation. Gen. Cotton discu ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 05/27/2023 In May, the chapter held its 7th Steps for STEM 5K at Walnut Creek Lake in Papillion, Nebraska. |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 05/25/2023 In May, Ethan Cole, deputy regional director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 7, Kansas City, Missouri, spent time with the chapter discussing the CISA role. Cole pointed out that CISA was formed in 2018 with an overall mission to lead the national effort to understand, manage and reduce risk to the nation's cyber and physical infrastructure. He clarified that CISA areas of responsibility mirror the Federal Emergency Management Agency's eight-region breakout. Cole covered CISA's core capabilities relating to critical infrastructure and talked about their four primary mission lines and how CISA is carrying out these missions. Cole talked about how they work out of integrated operations divisions and try to provide information and resources ahead of the curve before it is requested. With limited resources, focus remains on assessing to maximize current assets to stay effective. Cole concluded by emphasizing that CIS ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 04/27/2023 In April, Jesse E. Bell, director, Water, Climate and Health Program, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, was the guest speaker for the first Dinner With a Scientist event held at Bellevue University. Bell engaged the audience with his story of how he became interested in science. As a little boy, he accompanied his father on outdoor excursions where they engaged in hunting and fishing. His father often turned him loose, and he would hike great distances and see many interesting things. From this early age, Bell was fascinated with the outdoors and tried to understand the natural world around him. This formed the basis of what Bell wanted to do with his life. He discussed his years of education, where he formalized his love of biology and doing research, leading him to a path of applied research. Bell talked about his travels and the jobs he held, each one uniquely preparing him for his work in Lincoln, Nebraska, focused on the environment and its effects on ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 04/27/2023 In April, Douglas Rausch, director, Cybersecurity Education, and program director for Undergraduate and Graduate Cybersecurity Programs, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing workforce pathways. Rausch talked about initial STEM exposure for middle school students coming in the form of GenCyber Camp supported by the National Science Foundation and activities like Dinner with a Scientist and Internet of Things-type courses through the university. The objective is to open the students' eyes to STEM. After they know what STEM is, they must decide what to do with it. Rausch continued by discussing high school engagements geared to tweak students' interests like CyberPatriot competitions and VEX Robotics events. Rausch commented on instruction assistance methods like RING, where high schools engage in cybersecurity curriculum, labs and developing faculty by certifying them in computer education. Rausch next talked about college, where stu ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 03/29/2023 In March, Rahul Jalali, senior vice president and chief information officer, Union Pacific Railroad, Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing his role at Union Pacific (UP). Jalali began by exclaiming that his life has been "R & R," where he has gone from "retail" to "railroad." In addition to the mission, he was drawn to UP's purpose of building America. One guiding principle he learned early is that if a company does not have technology as its organization's headlight, it will cease to exist. He added that 53% of companies had gone away for not following this guideline. Jalali discussed the challenge of integrating technology but doing it in a modern way. A company needs to establish a tech culture of innovation. Jalali elaborated that to make some changes, he had to become completely obsessed with what the customer wanted. What is the customer's obsession? Jalali also talked about taking full advantage of the cloud and implementing an architecture accommodat ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 02/22/2023 뜀$ ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က 㖼ڑⅭ陊骫౾簃ী ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5쐀 Ā␀ Ḁ猀开漀爀最愀渀椀稀愀琀椀漀渀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က턺利镍쇉奜뵺ॗ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5됀 Ā᐀ 猀㈀开渀愀洀攀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က☀ꠁ矾鑏㡋ೄ॒ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5똀 Āᘀ က猀㈀开琀椀琀氀攀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က�䟥檪鹊䏂⋱䨄ौ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5됀 Ā᐀ 猀㈀开爀愀渀欀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က舀︠犉❷굅⎝뢘軰ॻ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5눀 Āሀ ఀ猀㈀开戀漀猀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က쌿풻遍ᄀே꺄ऐ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5쐀 Ā␀ Ḁ猀㈀开漀爀最愀渀椀稀愀琀椀漀渀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က切宣눟몚顁㶜됱ক ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5됀 Ā᐀ 猀㌀开渀愀洀攀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က豈䙲虚챯聋筣᱒ᄃप ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5똀 Āᘀ က猀㌀开琀椀琀氀攀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က圀능绞蕅墟ꔲ�ढ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5됀 Ā᐀ 猀㌀开爀愀渀欀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉ကㆄ吺琙녅㢦陌詙२ ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5눀 Āሀ ఀ猀㌀开戀漀猀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ Ā āऀĀࠁĀĀ ́ m ȁऀĀంĀ̀ ā ᠁Ā༉က昀鄫虆墒蘇劣 ␂Ā Ѐ%Ѐ3 ȁ5쐀 Ā␀ Ḁ猀㌀开漀爀最愀渀椀稀愀琀椀漀渀ఀ ЃЀ ԃЀ ऀ ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 01/26/2023 In January, Silva Raker, inaugural CEO, Kiewit Luminarium, spent time with the chapter discussing the new Luminarium. Raker explained that the Luminarium is a collaborative venture. It's a portal for learners of all ages and backgrounds to experiment with astonishing phenomena and engage with their own curiosity. Raker clarified the Luminarium is located on the riverfront where the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge helps tie the gap between Nebraska and Iowa. The Luminarium required whole community involvement backed by diverse workforce development. Raker talked about the board of directors-a globally diverse collaboration that encouraged using a different approach. She explained that there are four primary exhibition spaces: (1) Catch Waves - A space that allows the user to dive into motion, sound, light and heat; (2) Dig Deeper - Explore land, water, structure and tools; (3) Find Yourself - Explore your cells, self and community; and (4) Make it Count - Climb in shapes, patterns and n ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 12/08/2022 In December, the chapter held its annual Holiday Mixer at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. This is an event where the chapter gives back to the membership, the sponsors and chapter supporters. The pinnacle of the mixer was the chapter's award of STEM grants to area educators. The chapter awarded a total of $8,640 to 10 educators from the Greater Omaha Metropolitan area to support their STEM teaching initiatives in their classrooms. The event was sponsored by TEK Systems and boasted an attendance of 71, the chapter's largest Holiday Mixer to date. |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 10/13/2022 In October, the chapter partnered with Federal Data Expositions to conduct the exposition at the Beardmore Event Center, Bellevue, Nebraska. The expo had over 174 registered attendees and featured 36 different companies: American Systems, Chantilly, Virginia; Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bose Corp., Framingham, Massachusetts; CIS Secure, Dulles, Virginia; Cohesity, San Jose, California; David Clark Company, Worcester, Massachusetts; GDIT, Falls Church, Virginia; General Dynamics Mission Systems, Fairfax, Virginia; Graybar, St. Louis, Missouri; Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Spring, Texas; Inotek, Omaha, Nebraska; IoTAI Inc., Fremont, California; Lexmark, Lexington, Kentucky; Logistics365, Norfolk, Nebraska; Lumen, Monroe, Louisiana; M2 Technology, San Antonio, Texas; Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Nebraska; Owl Cyber Defense, Columbia, Massachusetts; Panasonic, Newark, New Jersey; Plug-In Storage, West Haven, Connecticut; Pure Storage, Mountain View, C ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 10/13/2022 In October, Sajda Qureshi, director, Information Technology for Development, University of Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter, sharing her findings from research performed relating to the pandemic. Qureshi referred to a friend working at UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) as an attaché that encouraged her to travel to Syria to perform research on the collected refugee data due to the bombings in Syria. Qureshi went on a three-month trip to collect data in Syria. This research taught her the importance of understanding the impact of data in our lives. Qureshi pointed out global reference data is used all over the world. She commented on a global problem with the harvesting of data, which she tied to datafying global forces, in turn leading to datafication. This is where each one of us is reduced to a data point. Qureshi discussed how socioeconomic inequities create pockets of data inefficiencies. It creates health inequity when folks don't have access to pertine ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 09/09/2022 In September, the chapter held its 20th Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament boasted 16 teams and generated approximately $8,000 to support the chapter's scholarship and grants program. |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 08/25/2022 In August, Col. Jason Mobley, USAF, commander, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Field Office, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing some of DISA's initiatives. Col. Mobley talked about DISAWORKS, which he likened to the Air Force's AFWERX program, where the goal is to foster a culture of innovation by bringing in academia, industry and others to collaborate and think of new ideas. This approach is a game changer. Col. Mobley commented that as the military continues to move toward all things web, there needs to be increased trust. With the cloud, the Department of Defense realized the necessity to leverage data cloud services. This allows everyone to access the data all of the time. Col. Mobley touched on DISA's pilot for a zero-trust architecture-the Thunderdome initiative uses integrated access via Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) to establish exactly who has access. Authorized users via ICAM gain access to multipl ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 08/20/2022 Jeffrey Weeks, senior vice president and chief information security officer, First National of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, met with Courtney Nichols, the chapter's lead Emerging Leader, in July after a May Emerging Leaders Tech Tour. Nichols presented Weeks with the chapter's newly developed chapter coin in thanks for his efforts organizing/conducting the tour. "It was a pleasure to spend time with like-minded folks concerned with information security," said Weeks. The Greater Omaha Chapter's new coin was designed by Sarah Arvizu-Barcelo Quiroz, the wife of one of the chapter treasurers, 1st Lt. Lenin Quiroz, USAF. Sarah Quiroz is a graphic designer who majored in visual communications. She spent upwards of 12 hours pinning down the concept and designing the coin. The chapter wanted a design that captured the organizations that support them locally yet has a definite patriotic tie-in-all in the shape of Nebraska! |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 06/23/2022 In June, Maj. Gen. Jennifer Napper, USA (Ret.), vice president and general manager, Army Business Unit, Peraton, Herndon, Virginia, spent time with the chapter discussing her transition to industry. Gen. Napper thanked the chapter for pursuing the country's safety and said the number one question she's received since retiring is how she transitioned to industry. Gen. Napper responded that first, she had to figure out what she wanted to do. During her transition, she found that management/leadership is essential, and she pointed out that as a leader, it's important to continue honing leadership style and understanding that relationships are crucial. She didn't spend her time honing people skills to squander them. Gen. Napper also discussed the benefit of researching a prospective company. She suggested finding a mentor to help with focus and accountability. Ask mentors what they would do differently. She talked about being in groups like AFCEA to foster professional relationsh ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 05/28/2022 In May, the chapter held the 6th Annual Steps for STEM 5K. Col. Larry Fletcher, USAF, chapter president, addressed the participants for the event, which had 83 participants on race day. Col. Fletcher also thanked all sponsors for helping to make the event possible. The 5K was supported by M2TI; Leidos, Peraton; Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Ivanti; Aruba; Western Governors University; and VeeAM Government Solutions. |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 05/26/2022 In May, Marc Jones, senior vice president, Public Sector Business, CAST Software Inc., spent time with the chapter discussing the necessity for software measurement. Jones pointed out the impact of software defects, which literally can put a company out of business. He clarified the root cause for most software defects is often the complexity of the software. He commented that some weapon systems are software dependent and that operational flight software support is expected to triple over the next 10 years. Jones touched on his involvement with CISQ, the Consortium for IT Software Quality. In short, the group deals with the measuring of software size and software quality. Jones also talked about the International Standard 5055, which is a software standard that calculates quality measures based on the number or critical weaknesses in the software. These measurements help show what you're getting for the funds expended. Jones concluded by emphasizing ISO 5055 has a significant impac ... READ MORE |
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER - 05/02/2022 |