Carolina Cyber Network Convening

The Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) convenings are business-oriented gatherings among CCN member schools with the mission to strategize and develop “best in class” cybersecurity talent as its over-arching theme.

Spring 2024 Convening

This year’s Spring Convening will include significant blocks of time for the Sector and Work groups to meet and to hold discussions concerning the slate of services provided by the CCN to member schools.  There will also be presentations and panel discussions from representatives from government and military focusing on employment opportunities for graduates, cyber skill sets required by government agencies, recruiting and supporting veterans and military spouses as students and faculty, and cyber and the future of warfare.

Fayetteville Technical Community College

2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Tony Rand Student Center- Multipurpose Room

Fall 2023 Convening

Spring 2023 Convening

  • March 23-24 (Montreat College)

  • Agenda

Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College executive director Larry Young led the Spring Convening with professionalism and a touch of humor. Larry kept us on time and helped us maintain focus.

Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College executive director Larry Young led the Spring Convening with professionalism and a touch of humor. Larry kept us on time and helped us maintain focus.

The weather and the Montreat Campus for the CCN’s 2023 Spring Convening were beautiful.

The weather and the Montreat Campus for the CCN’s 2023 Spring Convening were beautiful.

Fayetteville Tech Community College president Dr. Mark Sorrells opened the convening with words to encourage and challenge the group.

Fayetteville Tech Community College president Dr. Mark Sorrells opened the convening with words to encourage and challenge the group.

Torre Jessup, the CEO of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, detailed some current initiatives by NCDIT and North Carolina’s Cybersecurity education pipeline.

Torre Jessup, the CEO of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, detailed some current initiatives by NCDIT and North Carolina’s Cybersecurity education pipeline.

CCN members and guests enjoyed a delightful time in Asheville networking at a rooftop social hour and dinner.

CCN members and guests enjoyed a delightful time in Asheville networking at a rooftop social hour and dinner.

Montreat College’s Nelson Bell Library hosted several sector group meetings and breakout sessions.

Montreat College’s Nelson Bell Library hosted several sector group meetings and breakout sessions.

David Thompson, CEO of RBX Solutions, addresses the Convening about CCN’s efforts at the NC State Legislature, US Senate and House of Representatives, and the Executive Office of the White House.

David Thompson, CEO of RBX Solutions, addresses the Convening about CCN’s efforts at the NC State Legislature, US Senate and House of Representatives, and the Executive Office of the White House.

Ed Carroll from Carolina Cyber Center discusses ways to engage corporate partners and prompt their participation.

Ed Carroll from Carolina Cyber Center discusses ways to engage corporate partners and prompt their participation.

Clifton Oxendine, Information Technology Instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, discusses opportunities for CCN members to share access to outstanding training platforms for cybersecurity students at no cost to the school.

Clifton Oxendine, Information Technology Instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, discusses opportunities for CCN members to share access to outstanding training platforms for cybersecurity students at no cost to the school.

Michelle Pupoh, Senior Director of the Academy at Carolina Cyber Center, and Chris Herring, Interim Dean of the Computer Information Technology Division at Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, talk about supercharging CCN’s K-12 ini

Michelle Pupoh, Senior Director of the Academy at Carolina Cyber Center, and Chris Herring, Interim Dean of the Computer Information Technology Division at Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, talk about supercharging CCN’s K-12 initiatives.

CCN Convening attendees and speakers were welcomed in the lobby of Catawba Valley Community College’s Workforce Solutions Complex.

CCN Convening attendees and speakers were welcomed in the lobby of Catawba Valley Community College’s Workforce Solutions Complex.

Dr. Mark Sorrells, Senior VP for Academic and Student Services at Fayetteville Tech Community College, calls to order the Advisory Board Meeting.

Dr. Mark Sorrells, Senior VP for Academic and Student Services at Fayetteville Tech Community College, calls to order the Advisory Board Meeting.

Larry Young, Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College (second from L), held a new member school orientation meeting and welcomed new member schools and their representatives: (L to R) Caldwell Community College and Technica

Larry Young, Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College (second from L), held a new member school orientation meeting and welcomed new member schools and their representatives: (L to R) Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (Randy Ledford), Wake Technical Community College (Carolyn DeSimone), and Piedmont Community College (Melissa Robbins).

David Thompson, President and CEO of RBX Solutions, offered recognition of CCN member schools recently achieving the rigorous National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) designation.

David Thompson, President and CEO of RBX Solutions, offered recognition of CCN member schools recently achieving the rigorous National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) designation.

Dr. J. Larry Keen, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College, offered remarks and introduced and thanked NC Representative Jason Saine and NC Senator Ralph Hise (not pictured).

Dr. J. Larry Keen, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College, offered remarks and introduced and thanked NC Representative Jason Saine and NC Senator Ralph Hise (not pictured).

Dr. J. Larry Keen, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College, awarded NC Representative Jason Saine and NC Senator Ralph Hise (not pictured) the CCN Service Award for exemplary support of cybersecurity education and preparedness in North

Dr. J. Larry Keen, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College, awarded NC Representative Jason Saine and NC Senator Ralph Hise (not pictured) the CCN Service Award for exemplary support of cybersecurity education and preparedness in North Carolina and the CCN.

NC Representative Jason Saine offers thanks and encouragement to the CCN Convening leadership and attendees.

NC Representative Jason Saine offers thanks and encouragement to the CCN Convening leadership and attendees.

Rob Main, State Chief Risk Officer at the NC Department of Information Technology, offered remarks on the Carolina Cyber Network and the Whole State Approach to Security.

Rob Main, State Chief Risk Officer at the NC Department of Information Technology, offered remarks on the Carolina Cyber Network and the Whole State Approach to Security.

As the emcee, Larry Young, Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, kept the CCN Convening on schedule and upbeat with grace and humor.

As the emcee, Larry Young, Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, kept the CCN Convening on schedule and upbeat with grace and humor.

Lynne Clark, Chief of the NSA’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, Innovation, and Outreach addresses the CCN Convening and shares the 2022 Initiatives Guide.

Lynne Clark, Chief of the NSA’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, Innovation, and Outreach addresses the CCN Convening and shares the 2022 Initiatives Guide.

Lynne Clark, Chief of the NSA’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, Innovation, and Outreach, discusses national cybersecurity education challenges and solutions.

Lynne Clark, Chief of the NSA’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, Innovation, and Outreach, discusses national cybersecurity education challenges and solutions.

Susan Green, National Director at Cyberbit, presented how to integrate a cyber range into your curriculum to assist students to obtain the cybersecurity workforce skills most needed today.

Susan Green, National Director at Cyberbit, presented how to integrate a cyber range into your curriculum to assist students to obtain the cybersecurity workforce skills most needed today.

Susan Green, National Director at Cyberbit, discussed the #1 hiring challenge across industries for cybersecurity professionals: readiness. Only 27% of cybersecurity education graduates are found to be adequately prepared for the workforce.

Susan Green, National Director at Cyberbit, discussed the #1 hiring challenge across industries for cybersecurity professionals: readiness. Only 27% of cybersecurity education graduates are found to be adequately prepared for the workforce.

Ed Carrol, Senior Director at the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, presented strategies to help CCN member schools increase engagement with potential corporate partners for industry sector groups, sponsorships, and graduate employment. Stra

Ed Carrol, Senior Director at the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, presented strategies to help CCN member schools increase engagement with potential corporate partners for industry sector groups, sponsorships, and graduate employment. Strategies included detailed LinkedIn networking tactics and attending and hosting events.

Ed Carrol, Senior Director at the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, prompted a lively discussion after asking attendees, “What’s your why?”

Ed Carrol, Senior Director at the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, prompted a lively discussion after asking attendees, “What’s your why?”

CCN Convening host school, Catawba Valley Community College, showcased its ValleySim Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility providing students, the community, and the healthcare sector with a 27,000-square-foot hospital setting for education and resea

CCN Convening host school, Catawba Valley Community College, showcased its ValleySim Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility providing students, the community, and the healthcare sector with a 27,000-square-foot hospital setting for education and research.

Catawba Valley Community College will use this hyper-realistic simulator to incorporate ransomware and other cyber-attacks on a hospital and allow medical personnel to work alongside tech and cybersecurity personnel in real-time to better equip them

Catawba Valley Community College will use this hyper-realistic simulator to incorporate ransomware and other cyber-attacks on a hospital and allow medical personnel to work alongside tech and cybersecurity personnel in real-time to better equip them to save lives in the event of an electronic attack. It is one example of how member colleges of the CCN are pooling and sharing resources with one another for the good of North Carolina’s cybersecurity preparedness.

Martin Moore, Business Development, Sales, and Strategy Director for Communication Security Group, introduced Cellcrypt and how its security capabilities may be a solution to enhance privacy for communication via cell phone, even if a network becomes

Martin Moore, Business Development, Sales, and Strategy Director for Communication Security Group, introduced Cellcrypt and how its security capabilities may be a solution to enhance privacy for communication via cell phone, even if a network becomes compromised.

Martin Moore, Business Development, Sales, and Strategy Director for Communication Security Group, discussed important points of Zero Trust and the Walled Garden.

Martin Moore, Business Development, Sales, and Strategy Director for Communication Security Group, discussed important points of Zero Trust and the Walled Garden.