Forge Institute Launches “Ask A CISO” Program with Industry Cyber Executives
News, Press Release Lee Watson News, Press Release Lee Watson

Forge Institute Launches “Ask A CISO” Program with Industry Cyber Executives

Forge Institute has launched a new program designed to give small and mid-sized businesses valuable cyber and information security counsel. The unique program, “Ask a CISO,” makes available a variety of experts and security leaders to answer pre-submitted questions in a panel type of forum. The initial panel will include four CISOs and directors of security, Beth-Anne Bygum of Acxiom, Phil Clark of AECC, Jason Cathey of Bank OZK, and Devin Shirley of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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"Data plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives."
Press Release, Blog Amy Burks Press Release, Blog Amy Burks

"Data plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives."

Renowned Data Scientist Dr. Elizabeth Parker Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board

Forge Institute, the Arkansas-based provider of cyber defense workforce training and threat analytic capabilities, announced today the addition of Dr. Elizabeth Parker to its Advisory Board. Dr. Parker serves as Sr. Director – Principal Data Scientist at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS).

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Underserved Communities Gain the Opportunity to Learn New Cyber Skillsets
News, Press Release, Blog Amy Burks News, Press Release, Blog Amy Burks

Underserved Communities Gain the Opportunity to Learn New Cyber Skillsets

Cybersecurity is among those new industries growing in Arkansas, and a partnership Forge Institute and the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) is helping to spur the movement forward. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) helps families stay together by empowering family leaders with job skills and assistance. Forge Institute has partnered with the TANF program to provide entry level IT & cybersecurity skills to Arkansans eager to develop workforce ready skills.

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Forge Institute has partnered with UA Little Rock’s Cyber Arena to support an NSA-sponsored Cybersecurity Summer Camp in Arkansas
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute has partnered with UA Little Rock’s Cyber Arena to support an NSA-sponsored Cybersecurity Summer Camp in Arkansas

The Forge Institute has announced a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Cyber Arena, the cybersecurity-focused lab within the Department of Computer Science. The initiative will support the first National Security Agency (NSA)-sponsored GenCyber Summer Camp in Arkansas for 7-12th graders.

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Governor Asa Hutchinson appoints Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute, to the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council
News, Press Release, ACI Amy Burks News, Press Release, ACI Amy Burks

Governor Asa Hutchinson appoints Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute, to the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council

In response to the growing threat of cyberattacks, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the formation of the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council (ACAC), intended to identify and manage the risk of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the State.

Among the twelve persons named to the council is Lee Watson, founder and CEO of Forge Institute and advocate for establishing Arkansas as the Cyber Defense State.

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Forge Institute Cyber Training Bootcamp to provide Arkansas’ workforce with a cyber upgrade
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute Cyber Training Bootcamp to provide Arkansas’ workforce with a cyber upgrade

Forge Institute announced today that new openings are available for its next Cyber Training Bootcamp. The availability of enrollment is a response to a string of highly publicized cyberattacks that have targeted the nation’s energy, beef and other critical infrastructure organizations.

Following a rash of highly publicized cybercrimes, including attacks on Colonial Pipeline and Solarwinds, cybersecurity has become a national and international concern and challenge.

Highly trained and certified cybersecurity professionals are in demand in the private and public sectors. In fact, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, it is estimated that 3.5 million jobs in cybersecurity will be unfilled by the end of this year.

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Forge Institute trainees to receive certified digital resumes through partnership with SmartResume
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute trainees to receive certified digital resumes through partnership with SmartResume

Forge Institute has partnered with SmartResume®, a provider of certified resumes, to provide all Forge Institute trainees with a free SmartResume® profile to enhance professional visibility to authenticated Forge Institute cybersecurity trainees.

Following a rash of highly publicized cybercrimes, including attacks on Colonial Pipeline and Solarwinds, cybersecurity has become a national and international concern and challenge.

Highly trained and certified cybersecurity professionals are in demand in the private and public sectors. In fact, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, it is estimated that 3.5 million jobs in cybersecurity will be unfilled by the end of this year.

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Forge Institute Response to Recent Ransomware Attacks Against Major American Infrastructure
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute Response to Recent Ransomware Attacks Against Major American Infrastructure

The ransomware attacks against Colonial Pipeline and JBS show a disparity in America’s private infrastructure cybersecurity capabilities. In a time where everything electronic in households is part of the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind from the presidential level down to the end-user.

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Forge Institute, Acxiom and the State of Arkansas Collaborate to Re-engineer Arkansas’ Economy
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute, Acxiom and the State of Arkansas Collaborate to Re-engineer Arkansas’ Economy

Forge Institute and Acxiom today announced a collaboration with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) to help develop a highly trained cybersecurity workforce in the state of Arkansas. This collaboration will help position Arkansas as a frontline player in protecting cyber infrastructure by standing as a central hub of cybersecurity talent and strengthen its economic future.

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Retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer Terry Burruss Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer Terry Burruss Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board

Forge Institute added more senior-level expertise today by announcing the addition of former CIA Senior Intelligence Services (SIS) officer Terry Burruss to its Advisory Board.

“Terry built the CIA’s first combined mission unit focused on understanding and countering the foreign cyber threat,” said Lee Watson, Chairman, and CEO of Forge Institute. “We’re fortunate to have his experience and insight on what is already a deep advisory board.”

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Retired Major General Joseph Wilson Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Retired Major General Joseph Wilson Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board

Forge Institute announced today the addition of Retired Major General Joe Wilson to the organization’s advisory board. Gen. Wilson bears more than three decades of experience as a leader in the United States Air Force, holding numerous assignments in maintenance and logistics both at home and abroad. He has held staff positions at three Major Commands and Air Force Headquarters.

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Forge Institute Strikes Strategic Partnership with CareerScore
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute Strikes Strategic Partnership with CareerScore

Forge Institute announced today a strategic partnership with Quotanda’s CareerScore. The alliance was created to enhance job placement opportunities for graduates of the Forge Institute Training Academy.

“Our academy is committed to not only providing valuable cyber professional development skills, but to also provide a capability to streamline and assess candidates’ job search and application efforts. This enables our team to focus on high-impact engagements and better positions our graduates to succeed,” said Lee Watson, Founder and CEO of Forge Institute.

“Our academy is committed to not only providing valuable cyber professional development skills, but to also provide a capability to streamline and assess candidates’ job search and application efforts. This enables our team to focus on high-impact engagements and better positions our graduates to succeed,” said Lee Watson, Founder and CEO of Forge Institute.

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Forge Institute And University Of Arkansas Little Rock Expand Partnership To Grow Skilled Cybersecurity Workforce
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute And University Of Arkansas Little Rock Expand Partnership To Grow Skilled Cybersecurity Workforce

UA Little Rock will recognize certain Forge Institute professional development courses and provide academic credit hours towards a Computer Science and Cybersecurity Bachelor's degrees at UA Little Rock for those who successfully complete the training. Each institution has thoroughly reviewed curriculum and mapped academic requirements to corresponding aspects of Forge Institute’s professional development program.

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