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.
Forge Institute Granted Authorization by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense to Become a DoD SkillBridge Provider
Forge Institute announced today that it is authorized as an official SillBridge provider. The qualification authorizes Forge Institute by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense to work with each of the military service branches and respective installation commanders to develop SkillBridge training programs for their personnel.
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.
Forge Institute enhances its Emerging Threat Center with CISA’s Cyber Information Sharing and Collaboration Program
“Cyber threat information from the CISCP program and the feeds from the AIS program aid in the ETC’s illumination of cyber threats that could potentially impact our member’s cyber infrastructure” said Watson.”
Former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Gary Stoops Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board
Today we announce the addition of former FBI Deputy Assistant Director General Gary Stoops to the organization’s advisory board. Mr. Stoops worked for many years with the National White Collar Crime Center and was instrumental in the creation of the National Security and Intelligence Program at Fairmont State and its Open Source Intelligence Exchange (OSIX) laboratory.
Forge Institute to Establish the Consortium for Cyber Innovation with UA Little Rock, UAPB & Acxiom
“The Consortium for Cyber Innovation is monumental to developing our high-tech workforce and developing new capabilities to prevent, detect and mitigate emerging technology risks to businesses, including our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Lee Watson, CEO of the Forge Institute. “Both campuses already have outstanding undergraduate and graduate Computer Science programs, cybersecurity resources, and world-class faculty. We’re excited to lend our expertise to this very important endeavor which will help fill the coming 3.4 million job gap.”
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation Enrolls IT Professionals in Forge Institute Training Academy
“Arkansas is becoming the rallying point for cybersecurity. By participating in and supporting Forge Institute’s Training Academy, organizations including AECC benefit from having access to robust professional training from entry level bootcamps to advanced penetration testing courses like Red Team Operations,” said Robert McClanahan.
Rural Community Alliance has partnered with the Forge Institute to bring entry-level IT & Cybersecurity training to very rural communities in Arkansas
Forge Institute and the Rural Community Alliance receive grant funding to expand IT/Cyber Fundamentals Training to 5 Underserved Communities.
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.
Forge Institute partners with Splunk TruSTAR to provide Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform for Emerging Threat Center (ETC)
Forge Institute announced today a strategic partnership with Splunk TruSTAR, an industry-leading cloud-native intelligence management platform. The platform enhances seamless integration and actionable automation across Forge Institute’s ecosystem of collaborative information.
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.
Forge Institute provides Data Science for Executives course for military leaders
Forge Institute provided a one-day training seminar, “Data Science for Executives,” to senior leaders at the National Guard Bureau’s Professional Education Center (PEC), located on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.