Forge Institute Fellowship Program to Provide Companies with Exceptional Cyber Talent 
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Forge Institute Fellowship Program to Provide Companies with Exceptional Cyber Talent 

The Forge Fellowship, launched in January of this year, nurtures a pool of exceptional cyber defense specialists, enabling organizations who participate in the program to select qualified candidates. Training can even be customized through internships with prospective employers. Those who complete the program take part in a special coining ceremony – and inside access to the world’s most lucrative infosec positions. 

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Spikes in E-Crime has Companies Turning to the Offensive Cyber Approach
News Amy Burks News Amy Burks

Spikes in E-Crime has Companies Turning to the Offensive Cyber Approach

In May of this year, President Biden responded to a rash of high-profile cyber attacks by issuing an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity1. Attacks on energy, health care, financial services and more are costing U.S. companies billions of dollars and threatening the nation’s security. This is compelling the U.S. government to become more proactive in its efforts to counter cyber terrorism.

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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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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 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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AR Division Of Workforce Services (ADWS) & Forge Institute Complete First Cycle Of IT/Cyber Fundamentals Course, Trained Under Or Unemployed Arkansans For A Future Career In Technology
News Amy Burks News Amy Burks

AR Division Of Workforce Services (ADWS) & Forge Institute Complete First Cycle Of IT/Cyber Fundamentals Course, Trained Under Or Unemployed Arkansans For A Future Career In Technology

Forge Institute and the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services, recently partnered to provide eligible Arkansans in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program with the opportunity to participate in workforce-readiness training, designed to help them move towards a higher-paying job in information technology.

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Two-day Cybersecurity Course To Help It Professionals Increase Security & Operational Resiliency During Covid-19
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Two-day Cybersecurity Course To Help It Professionals Increase Security & Operational Resiliency During Covid-19

Today Forge Institute announced it will be offering a two-day training course “Cybersecurity for IT Professionals” to provide IT professionals with the cybersecurity fundamentals they need to better protect the technology they manage. Participants will understand how their decision impacts the security and operational resiliency of the organization.

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Cybersecurity Training Program Expands To Prepare Arkansans For High-demand, High-paying Jobs
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Cybersecurity Training Program Expands To Prepare Arkansans For High-demand, High-paying Jobs

Today Forge Institute has announced the start dates of its next two ACA Cybersecurity Training Bootcamps. The Fall 2020 program starts on 10/19/20 and the Spring 2021 cycle begins on 01/20/21. Each bootcamp will provide the perfect on-ramp from an IT generalist position to a Cybersecurity Defense Analyst or SOC Analyst I position. This program is a fantastic way to on-board a new employee or upskill existing team members. Those interested in participating but don’t have an IT background may be eligible for the pre-bootcamp training “IT FUNDAMENTALS.”

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Forge Institute partners with the Arkansas Department of Education to provide Statewide Virtual Cybersecurity Training for All District and School Technology Staff
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Forge Institute partners with the Arkansas Department of Education to provide Statewide Virtual Cybersecurity Training for All District and School Technology Staff

Today Forge Institute announced a partnership with the Arkansas Department Education to provide virtual cybersecurity training to district and school technology staff across Arkansas. With the increase in cyber-criminal activity and a portion of instruction being taught online, there was not a better time for these two organizations to come together and provide the necessary training to help upskill the professionals that defend education systems from disruptive cyber-attacks.

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Scott A. Anderson selected to serve on the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sub-Working Group of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education
News, Press Release Amy Burks News, Press Release Amy Burks

Scott A. Anderson selected to serve on the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sub-Working Group of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education

Today the American Cyber Alliance (ACA) powered by Forge Institute, announced that Scott Anderson, Executive Director, has joined the Sub Working Group for Cybersecurity Apprenticeships of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) within the United States Department of Commerce. He will bring his decades-long experience in cybersecurity education and professional development to assist in addressing the Nation’s dire need for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

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