BRIDGEWATER – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration and the MassCyberCenter at the MassTech Collaborative announced two new initiatives to promote the development of a diverse cybersecurity workforce and improve local cyber resiliency in the Commonwealth, supported by over $3.7 million in state grants. The announcements were made during the 6th Massachusetts Cybersecurity Forum at Bridgewater State University, which brought together 100 executives from companies, municipalities, and leading universities.
BOSTON, MASS. – The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has officially declared October as ‘Massachusetts Cybersecurity Month,’ issuing an official proclamation signed by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. Governor Baker also taped a video message to celebrate the Month, and spotlighted the importance of cybersecurity to “citizens and communities throughout Massachusetts…businesses, schools, government agencies, and so many more organizations” that rely on safe and secure connections.
WESTBOROUGH –The Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program, an effort to grow and diversify the cyber workforce in Massachusetts, has reached several critical program milestones, eclipsing 100 students supported through the program, including 41 in the current session, an increase of 16 from fall 2021.
Launched as a pilot in fall 2020, the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program pairs diverse undergraduate students from across the Commonwealth with mentors from the state’s cybersecurity sector. Of the 41 mentors in the spring 2022 session, 18 are new to the program, representing 10 new organizations committed to the initiative.
The Fall 2021 cycle of the MassCyberCenter’s Cybersecurity Mentorship Program kicked off in October during Massachusetts Cybersecurity Month. This cycle’s cohort pairs 25 undergraduate students studying cybersecurity at colleges and universities across Massachusetts with 24 mentors from world-class cybersecurity companies/organizations.
Six new schools and seven new companies have joined the Program this cycle. In total, 39 mentors from 24 companies/organizations and 60 students from 22 colleges and universities in Massachusetts have participated in the three cycles of the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program.
WESTBOROUGH – The MassCyberCenter at the MassTech Collaborative has selected the participants for the spring cohort of its Cybersecurity Mentorship Program, an effort that aims to increase diversity within the cybersecurity workforce in Massachusetts. A total of 25 undergraduate students from 14 different schools across the Commonwealth have been paired with 22 mentors from 14 different organizations.
The Cybersecurity Mentorship Pilot Program kicked off in October 2020 as part of Massachusetts Cybersecurity Month and concluded in December 2020 with a Project Showcase. The Pilot paired ten diverse undergraduate students from across Massachusetts with mentors from the cybersecurity industry.
Stephanie Helm, director of the MassCyberCenter at MassTech, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, co-authored a column that appeared in The Worcester Telegram & Gazette on how we must remain vigilant against the increased threat of cybersecurity attacks during the pandemic. The column ran on Sunday, November 14th.
BOSTON – At the 2020 Massachusetts Cybersecurity Forum today, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker lauded efforts happening across the Commonwealth to boost cyber resiliency and to boost diversity in the cybersecurity sector. During his remarks, the Governor highlighted the efforts of the MassCyberCenter to assist Massachusetts communities with the development of contingency plans focusing on cybersecurity, including sessions held during spring and summer 2020.
This piece by MassCyberCenter director Stephanie Helm was originally published by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). It contains good tips for municipal leaders and employees, which can also be helpful for citizens and students working or studying from home.
The Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) was established in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 to "develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyber attacks of significant consequences." On March 11, 2020 the CSC released their report and presented it to the public.
