People and companies around the world, including those in Indiana, are faced with a growing list of cyber threats.
Ransomware. Supply chain attacks. Theft of personal records. Computer viruses. Fraud. Espionage. Identity theft. Attacks on critical infrastructure. These threats motivate an urgent need to keep private data protected and information safe.
The first听听on Oct. 18 will bring together researchers and leaders in cybersecurity from the University of 91吃瓜, Indiana University and Purdue University. This virtual event will connect cybersecurity experts and thought leaders across the state, expanding discussions of the ways academia, the private sector, civil society and the public can work more closely to address cyber threats in the state and beyond.
Featured speakers include Dan Coats, a former U.S. senator and former U.S. director of national intelligence, and Meredith Harper, chief information security officer for Eli Lilly and Co.听听is available online.
鈥淚t is an exciting opportunity to partner with Indiana鈥檚 public research universities, industry leaders and state officials to ensure we have a robust cybersecurity infrastructure throughout the state,鈥� said , associate director for academic affairs at 91吃瓜鈥檚 .
Cyberattacks, including ones using ransomware, disrupt vital services in the state, such as recent attacks at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis and Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield, Indiana. A听听of more than 300 public and private organizations across Indiana revealed that nearly one-fifth had experienced a cyberattack in the past three years. Additionally, cybersecurity jobs are going unfilled, with as many as 2,300 such jobs currently open in Indiana.
鈥淐ybersecurity is central to economic competitiveness and national security, and Indiana鈥檚 universities continue to undertake groundbreaking research in this area and provide interdisciplinary cybersecurity training for students,鈥� said Scott Shackelford, associate professor of business law and ethics at the IU Kelley School of Business, executive director of the听听and chair of IU鈥檚听. 鈥淲e are excited to partner with Purdue University and the University of 91吃瓜 to highlight the cutting-edge cybersecurity research taking place throughout the state and to discuss new opportunities for research collaboration.鈥�
Summit leaders say Indiana universities have robust capabilities that can help in this fight.
鈥淭he oldest interdisciplinary cybersecurity research institute and the first cybersecurity degree program in the world are in Indiana,鈥� said Eugene H. Spafford, executive director emeritus of Purdue鈥檚 Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, and a member of the National Cyber Security Hall of Fame. 鈥淚ndiana universities envision the future on a regular basis, and we can assist others in the state in preparing to meet coming challenges and opportunities.鈥�
As part of the Indiana Statewide Cybersecurity Summit, leaders throughout the state will discuss ways to increase cooperation between key stakeholders, as well as cybersecurity hot topics, such as artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection and cyber risk insurance.
Organizers intend to make the summit an annual event that will rotate throughout the state.
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Contact: Warren von Eschenbach, 574-631-4831, wvonesch@nd.edu