AFCEA International Chapter News
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER CHAPTER - Apr 28, 2022

April Chapter Luncheon Features Cyber Threat Expert

In April, Jeffrey Weeks, senior vice president and chief information security officer, First National of Nebraska (FNN), Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing the intricacies of cyber threats and how best to thwart them.

Weeks began by pointing out that FNN is the fourth largest credit card processor in the United States. He commented that he has a workforce of 50 dedicated security professionals, of which five are "ethical hackers." He places their abilities on par with an artificial intelligence detection system used for uncovering nation-state-type attacks. Regarding phishing attacks, Weeks commented that this is one of the primary methods hackers use to gain entry. He clarified upfront that whenever in doubt, delete the email. Once executed, a ransomware email locks the user's system and encrypts their data. The perpetrator will offer a key to break the encryption for a price. The question is, what guarantee do you have that they will follow through?

Weeks displayed an email and gave pointers on what folks should look for when an email appears suspicious or arrives from someone you don't know. With respect to the Internet of Things (IoT), there are over 30 billion IoT devices in use as of 2022. These are devices with sensors that have some processing ability, typically connected wirelessly. The example used was a smart refrigerator. When successfully hacked, these devices are a gateway into broader networks, both for home and business. Weeks talked about how to combat the cyber threat. Regarding the public/private sector, collaboration is the key. Work with Homeland Security, FBI or National Security Agency to stay networked in current threats. Weeks talked about general cybersecurity practices of which everyone should be cognizant, such as: enabling multifactor authentication; installing/updating antivirus software; being wise about WiFi (look for the lock symbol); turning down the automatic login option; deploying end-point protection to ensure visibility and blocking; not answering out-of-wallet challenge questions with the correct answer (the color of your first car, use "Omaha3"). Weeks concluded by saying that he hoped he hadn't scared anyone, but there is a right way to stay on the Internet and a wrong way.

Event Photographs:

Col. Janel Nelson, USAF, chapter vice president of academics (l), shakes hands with Jeffrey Weeks, senior vice president and chief information security officer, First National of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska. Weeks briefed the assembly on cyber threats and security; what his office does to keep cyber threats under control across the financial organization; and what we can do on our own to have a solid cybersecurity regimen.�
Col. Janel Nelson, USAF, chapter vice president of academics (l), shakes hands with Jeffrey Weeks, senior vice president and chief information security officer, First National of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska. Weeks briefed the assembly on cyber threats and security; what his office does to keep cyber threats under control across the financial organization; and what we can do on our own to have a solid cybersecurity regimen.
Col. Nelson poses for a photo with nine of the 10 award recipients from the Omaha Metropolitan Science Fair featured at the chapter luncheon in April. Students pictured (l-r) are: Ella Humphrey, 12th Grade, Zoo Academy, Omaha, Nebraska, Silver Carp Growth During Flooding; Charlie Gutzmann, 8th Grade, Gerald Otte Blair Middle School, Blair, Nebraska, Caesar Cypher Decryption; Tamlin Clark, 8th Grade, Omaha Virtual School, Omaha, Nebraska, Butterfly Wings Angle Investigation; Alivia Moore, 8th Grade, Omaha Virtual School, Omaha, Nebraska, How Does Recycled Plastic Affect Concrete; Jonas Morgan, 8th Grade, King Science and Technology Center, Omaha, Nebraska, Prosthetic Package; Thomas Schaben, 7th Grade, St. Cecilia Cathedral School, Omaha, Nebraska, Air Pressure and Rockets; Maxwell Langton, 7th Grade, McMillan Magnet Center, Omaha, Nebraska, How Do Gear Ratios Affect the Speed and Strength of a Motor?; Landon Salazar, 8th Grade, Beveridge Magnet Middle School, Omaha, Nebraska, The Fluidized Bed; and Siri Doddapeneni, 9th Grade, Brownell Talbot School, Omaha, Nebraska, Ride the Wave. Projects were accessed virtually from in March by a special chapter panel. The chapter awarded a total of $1,800.�
Col. Nelson poses for a photo with nine of the 10 award recipients from the Omaha Metropolitan Science Fair featured at the chapter luncheon in April. Students pictured (l-r) are: Ella Humphrey, 12th Grade, Zoo Academy, Omaha, Nebraska, Silver Carp Growth During Flooding; Charlie Gutzmann, 8th Grade, Gerald Otte Blair Middle School, Blair, Nebraska, Caesar Cypher Decryption; Tamlin Clark, 8th Grade, Omaha Virtual School, Omaha, Nebraska, Butterfly Wings Angle Investigation; Alivia Moore, 8th Grade, Omaha Virtual School, Omaha, Nebraska, How Does Recycled Plastic Affect Concrete; Jonas Morgan, 8th Grade, King Science and Technology Center, Omaha, Nebraska, Prosthetic Package; Thomas Schaben, 7th Grade, St. Cecilia Cathedral School, Omaha, Nebraska, Air Pressure and Rockets; Maxwell Langton, 7th Grade, McMillan Magnet Center, Omaha, Nebraska, How Do Gear Ratios Affect the Speed and Strength of a Motor?; Landon Salazar, 8th Grade, Beveridge Magnet Middle School, Omaha, Nebraska, The Fluidized Bed; and Siri Doddapeneni, 9th Grade, Brownell Talbot School, Omaha, Nebraska, Ride the Wave. Projects were accessed virtually from in March by a special chapter panel. The chapter awarded a total of $1,800.
Pictured (l-r) are Jay Shulsinger, chapter secretary; Carolyn Wendover, senior data analyst, OxBow Data Management System, Omaha, Nebraska; Scott Stevens, chapter corporate liaison and business development and marketing; Courtney Nichols, lead Emerging Leader for the chapter; Lindsey Briganti; account manager, Government Services, TEK Systems; and Col. Nelson. Col. Nelson presented each member of the Holiday Mixer Team with their AFCEAN of the Month Certificate for their efforts in putting together the 2021 Holiday Mixer event, which was also held at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. Also part of the Holiday Mixer Team, but not present, is Austin Moore, chapter co-chair corporate liaison and business development and marketing.�
Pictured (l-r) are Jay Shulsinger, chapter secretary; Carolyn Wendover, senior data analyst, OxBow Data Management System, Omaha, Nebraska; Scott Stevens, chapter corporate liaison and business development and marketing; Courtney Nichols, lead Emerging Leader for the chapter; Lindsey Briganti; account manager, Government Services, TEK Systems; and Col. Nelson. Col. Nelson presented each member of the Holiday Mixer Team with their AFCEAN of the Month Certificate for their efforts in putting together the 2021 Holiday Mixer event, which was also held at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. Also part of the Holiday Mixer Team, but not present, is Austin Moore, chapter co-chair corporate liaison and business development and marketing.

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