Mr. Howard Schmidt, Special Assistant to the President and Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Staff provided the keynote address to the 15th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE) on June 15, 2011. This year's CISSE was hosted by the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Center for Cyberspace Research (CCR).
Mr. Schmidt is a Vietnam Veteran, having completed three tours in Southeast Asia. He has a combined forty years of experience in government, business and law enforcement. Mr. Schmidt has held top information security positions at both Microsoft and eBay. In addition to his present White House position, Mr. Schmidt previously served the President G. W. Bush administration as Special Advisor for Cyberspace Security.
Mr. Schmidt spoke on the importance of cybersecurity education and workforce development. He commented,";These activities," referring to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education,";are key to developing a strong, vibrant cybersecurity workforce. To meet the security demands of the future, we must start growing capable individuals today."
Mr. Schmidt also toured AFIT and see CCR facilities and cybersecurity research capability demonstrations. During his visit, Mr. Schmidt viewed research demonstrations. During his visit, he viewed research demonstrations on malicious software recognition and protection for critical national infrastructure. He shared his cybersecurity perspectives with AFIT faculty and students.
The CISSE brought together close to 250 leading figures and professionals from academia, government, and industry to discuss the national need for security and assurance of our information and communications infrastructures. As part of the CISSE, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency recognizes universities, colleges, and organizations as Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. This year’s award ceremony was held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and recognized 15 new institutions.
