Forge Institute names Air Force Veteran Wes Nickels Chief of Staff
Forge Institute expanded its ranks today when they named U.S. Air Force veteran Wes Nickels as Chief of Staff. Nickels joined the team after completing the DoD SkillBridge through the Forge Fellowship program.
University of Arkansas System CISO Joins Forge Institute Board of Advisors
“I believe that Forge Institute's work is helping to make Arkansas a rally point for all things cyber,” said Wall.
Admin Assistant
Forge Institute seeks an Administrative Assistant (AA) who will assist with the day-to-day operations responsible for general office tasks and administrative duties, such as directing communications between colleagues and partners & participants, organizing schedules and events, entering data, bookkeeping, maintaining office equipment and so on. Our ideal candidate learns quickly when facing new situations, experiments to find new solutions, takes on challenges of unfamiliar tasks, extracts lessons-learned from failures and mistakes, and expands knowledge base through ongoing curiosity. We’re looking for someone who will enable teams & individuals to be focused on their goals and prepared for anything that comes their way. This is a vital role, especially for our team members that have a lot of plates in the air at all times.
Forge Institute Forms Strategic Partnership with Cybersecurity Leader Fortinet
Forge Institute, a leader in cyber workforce development and other cyber defense related services, today announced a strategic collaboration with Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), a global provider of broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions. The partnership is one of mutual benefit to both cyber-driven organizations.
Forge Institute partners with DoD SkillBridge to support Service members' transition gap to civilian careers
A year ago, I began my transition from a 20-year career in the United States Air Force to civilian life. The drastic life change can be daunting to many service members, myself included. There is a fantastic plethora of organizations and programs to help with this monumental task. Wading through the information from these groups is like drinking from a fire hose and can become overwhelming. The program that has had the most significant impact on my transition is DOD SkillBridge. The SkillBridge program allows service members to spend up to their last 180 days in service working with a private organization.
Tony Loukota brings military-grade cyber expertise to Forge Institute’s Academy
Forge Institute, a leader in cyber workforce development and other cyberdefense related services, today named U.S. Marine Corps veteran Tony Loukota as Training Manager. Loukota has previously served as a cyber instructor for Forge Institute and was recruited through the Forge Fellowship program.
Office Manager, DoD STEM Program
The Office Manager is responsible for managing administration duties for academy staff including maintaining records, correspondence and files.The office manager will also be responsible to fill in for instructors as needed.
Assistant Classroom Instructor (3), DoD STEM Program
The Instructor Assistant is responsible for supporting Instructors with implementation of curriculum for the program. Individuals must have the ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships and effective communication with associates, students, visiting teachers/administrators as well as military personnel.
Lead Instructor (3), DoD STEM Program
The Instructor is responsible for the implementation of curriculum for the program. The Instructor focuses on active engagement with students to ensure understanding of material and outlined goals are met. High energy, involved Instructors are the key to the success of the program. Candidates need to be able to meet the program challenges with a positive outlook and be a positive role model to energize students.
The Mission Isn’t Over: How cybersecurity is fulfilling a sacred purpose to serve and protect
“A lot of people coming out of the military feel like the mission is over,” says McCauley, who currently serves as Director of Cyber Security Incident Management and Intelligence at GlaxoSmithKline. “That’s one reason suicide is a major problem with veterans. Careers in cyber renew a purpose to protect.”
Grant from Arkansas Office of Skills Development provides financial assistance to qualified Arkansans
Applications are currently being accepted for significant tuition assistance for Forge Institute IT and Cyber skills bootcamps. Forge has partnered with the Arkansas Office of Skills Development (OSD) to make more instructor-led training available to qualified Arkansans seeking higher paying IT and cyber careers.
Forge Institute launches the Arkansas Cyber Defense Center
The Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC) is a dedicated hotline that connects small and mid-sized businesses directly in contact with a Forge Institute volunteer. Small business and startup leaders can call ACDC when they feel their organization is under cyber attack or if they feel their digital infrastructure is inadequately protected.
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.