BHEF Defines Strategic Directions to Navigate the New Frontier of Cyber, Data Science, and Innovation at its Second Annual National Cybersecurity Network Meeting

Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson Leads Select Panel Focused on National Workforce Needs to Keep America Competitive, Safe and Secure

San José, CA (November 25) — On Friday, BHEF convened top leaders from business, academe, associations, and state and federal agencies for BHEF’s 2013 National Cybersecurity Network Summit, where those engaged in the National Higher Education and Workforce Initiative discussed joint solutions designed to address current challenges in the cybersecurity talent pipeline. The national network welcomed its newest member the California Cybersecurity Network, represented by over a dozen university campuses from the California State University system

The event culminated with a leadership roundtable moderated by BHEF member and past chair William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of the Raytheon Company, who was joined by the field’s thought leaders, to include Jeff Armstrong, BHEF member and president, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Rick Baily, vice president of Engineering, Mission Assurance & Product Support, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, The Boing Company; Todd Gebhart, vice chairman of the board, McAfee; Rich Ghiossi, vice president, Treasure Data; Ali Golshan, CTO and founder, Cyphort; Basheer Janjua, president, CTO Forum; Sean Mansubi, vice president, R&D, Hewlett Packard; Dan O’Connell, president and CEO, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership; Mo Qayoumi, BHEF member and president, San José State University; Neil Siegel, Information Systems CTO, Northrop Grumman Information Systems; and Marisa Viveros, vice president, Cyber Security Innovation, IBM.

The panel discussed key insights from the network’s work in 2013, and set the tone for the coming year through discerning forecasts of future cyber workforce needs. They also described how BHEF’s model of strategic business engagement is defining new undergraduate pathways in a discipline that did not exist only a decade ago.

“Today’s highly connected and networked environments have transformed our lives. What were once unimaginable capabilities have become everyday conveniences that we depend on,” Swanson stated. “To protect our nation’s ongoing development and growth in this area, we must build a workforce capable of ensuring security in the cyber domain,” he continued. “BHEF business members are working closely with our academic counterparts to build undergraduate programs in this critical field to produce cyber-enabled professionals who have the knowledge and skills to protect, manage and mitigate risk at any business in the U.S.”

Hosted by BHEF’s corporate member IBM at its Almaden research center, the day featured sessions on the federal cybersecurity landscape; strategic partnerships between business and higher education that address cyber workforce challenges through new undergraduate pathways; and next steps for the network as it expands in 2014. Over 15 California college campuses announced the California Cybersecurity Network, which will support and scale two forthcoming BHEF regional workforce projects at Cal Poly and San José State University.  
 
“The California State University and BHEF are vital partners in addressing cybersecurity needs in the digital frontier,” noted Timothy P. White, chancellor of the California State University system. “New frontiers invite instability. Old paradigms fall away and boundaries become fuzzy. Our job is to educate good people – to equip a workforce with the tools necessary to provide security for all of us.” He continued: “This pace of education cannot take place in isolation. The fast pace of change requires a commitment to ‘learn by doing’. This hands-on approach is something the university embraces. We deeply value our connections through BHEF that help make real-time opportunities possible for students.”

“We are delighted to welcome our new partners in California and our California Cybersecurity Network. As our national network and model of strategic business engagement are embraced by new campuses and corporations, we see tremendous opportunities and potential in 2014,” remarked Brian Fitzgerald, CEO of BHEF. “Our National Higher Education and Workforce Initiative is implementing scalable solutions to regional workforce needs in cyber and other emerging fields across the country through the leadership and commitment of members such as Bill Swanson, Jeff Armstrong, and Mo Qayoumi. As BHEF’s National Cybersecurity Network becomes a proof point for other sectors, such as data science, advanced manufacturing, and financial services, we look forward to announcing new regional workforce projects and successes at future convenings.” 

About the National Cybersecurity Network
Launched at the Sloan Foundation in December 2012, the BHEF National Cybersecurity Network brings distinguished leaders from business, higher education, and government together to increase collaboration and resources during the first two years of college, which has been shown as the turning point in STEM undergraduate education. Through BHEF’s model of strategic engagement, BHEF business and academic members are introducing innovative new programs in cyber to help students persist and complete degrees that will lead to successful careers as cyber-professionals.