Welcome to 2018. I can see the days getting longer and I am enjoying the sun while it lasts, here in mid-February. I completed my coursework, obtaining my GIAC GCIH in January. That gave me time to build a new-to-me bicycle and tinker on my old Land Cruiser a bit. Those are my other hobbies.
CISSP
- James and my CISSP course this past Fall was a great success! Our community now has more certified professionals.
- The official ISC2 CISSP study guide is provided to ISSA members at a 50% discount! This is the book we use in the course and the official ISC2 study guide. Contact Ashley Edwards at Wiley to receive the discounted price: aedwards@wiley.com. Promo Code: CSP50
College Programs
- In previous messages I have touted Mt. Hood Community College’s (MHCC) 2-year program in Information Security. The only Oregon 2-year. cybersecurity program recognized by Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Now other local schools are getting into the game.
- PCC is actively pursuing their DHS 2-year Certification, look for more information coming in their Fall offerings.
- Oregon Information Technology (OIT) is also pursuing their DHS Certification, but for their 4-year program! OIT collaborates with MHCC already and will with PCC as well to provide a 2+2 cybersecurity program, or OIT will provide all 4 years for students.
These schools obtaining certified cybersecurity programs exemplify the need our industry has for more trained professionals.
Local Trainers and Conferences
- SANS has a Security Essentials Bootcamp coming in June. I am teaching the course. This is SEC401: https://www.sans.org/community/event/sec401-portland-jun-2018. This is a 6-day intensive, hands-on Information Security course. Come join me.
- Last year, Charlie Kawasaki and his daughter provided a summer camp for high school students focused on Information Security. The name changed to NW Cyber Camp, but they are coming back this year again: https://www.nwcyber.camp. Check them out and spread the word please.
- The Portland OWASP chapter is working on their annual training day. This happens in early October. If you are interested in participating as a trainer or sponsor, please let me know and I will get you in touch with the OWASP Leadership team.
- Interface Portland 2018 is coming next month: https://f2fevents.com/event/pdx18/. Every year there are some good nuggets at this local conference. If you attend, please come say hello to the board at the ISSA booth.
Opportunities to help
- ISSA Portland is always looking for good presentations for our membership. You may be doing something amazing, novel, or interesting that others want to hear about. This is a growth potential for you and a learning opportunity for the rest of the membership. Let me know if you are interested in sharing.
- We are 1/2 way through our program year. We are looking for next-year’s leaders. Let me know if you are interested! You have a lot to offer.
- Opportunity to teach. Each year, James and I have provided a local CISSP course. If you are interested in helping with that effort, let us know. Having a pool of instructors will benefit our membership and provide you with a career building opportunity.
- Mentorship. ISSA has a mentorship program. It needs local leaders to help organize. Having a mentor helps us to learn how to get to the next level, how to improve professionally and how to give back to our community. If you are interested in mentorship, either as a mentor or a mentee, let me know and we will work to get the program working locally.
Happy 2018! Stay warm and I look forward to seeing you at the next event!