On Oct 26, the Centralia Community Foundation (CCF) held an in-person cybersecurity summit at the Centralia Train Station event space. This was the first in a series of career awareness and exploration events to be held by the foundation as part of its “Career Pathways Initiative.”
Sponsored by Security State Bank, the foundation had a video created from the event’s keynote and panel question and answer session, which is available to watch through a link on the CCF website at centraliacf.org/cybersecurity-is-a-global-issue-and-we-have-regional-opportunities.
A news release from the CCF stated the summit’s audience included local business owners, entrepreneurs, trades representatives, educators, students, job seekers, local workforce development and business support agencies. The keynote speaker for the event was Steven Parker, the founding director and president of EnergySec.
Parker shared the current state of cybersecurity globally and locally, speaking to the need for industry professionals to protect businesses and individuals from cyber criminals and malicious software.
Other speakers included Bob Guenther, the career pathways chairperson for the Centralia Community Foundation; Lorie Thompson, Career Connect WA Regional Network administrator and Capital STEM Alliance director; Dan Hagen, assistant professor of the information technology program at Centralia College and JT Mundi, the owner of Chehalis-based KODENUM Inc.
“Questions were fielded surrounding advice on personal and business security and inquiry regarding training for those who wish to enter the cybersecurity career field. Businesses in attendance learned about resources available to them locally to upskill current employees to match their security needs,” the release stated. “Event goers participated in discussion surrounding upcoming apprenticeship opportunities in (Washington) state, which will prepare job seekers and students for careers in this IT field.”
The foundation intends to hold more events of this nature moving forward.
