The pre-conference workshops for this year will take place on Sunday June 1, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. These workshops are an integral component of the NICE Conference, offering focused discussions on specific topics and issues in a small group setting.
To participate in a workshop, there is an extra fee, and registration for the main conference is mandatory. Moreover, attendees can only sign up for one four-hour workshop, as each workshop consists of two sessions with a networking break in the middle.
Supporting Small Business Cybersecurity Through Learner-Centered Services and Experiences
While cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development programs often work well to meet the requirements of large enterprises, they are not designed to meet the needs of small businesses (SMBs) that are dependent on IT or cybersecurity generalists or outsourced service providers. This workshop will highlight a few different innovative and promising solutions that serve to both benefit small- and medium-sized businesses and provide hands-on learning experiences for learners and job-seekers, including:
- Using college- or university-based cybersecurity clinics
- Establishing student-operated Security Operation Centers (SOCs)
- Employing apprentices to form Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)
- Creating career pathways for cybersecurity practitioners at small enterprises
Workshop will include a discussion of materials needed for SMB Cybersecurity such as a Quick Start Guide for the NICE Framework.
The Cybersecurity Educator Shortage
The cybersecurity workforce shortage persists and that includes educators. This workshop will frame known barriers and innovative solutions that address the cybersecurity educator recruitment and retention challenge, and then engage participant leaders from academia, government and industry in further focused solution-oriented discussions/exercises.
The Impact of AI on the Cybersecurity Workforce
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the cybersecurity workforce, reshaping job roles, skill demands, and operational efficiencies. While AI-driven automation enhances security operations, it also introduces new risks, such as AI-powered cyber threats and ethical concerns. This panel will explore how AI is augmenting the cybersecurity workforce, the evolving skill sets required, and strategies to sustain a resilient workforce in an AI-driven security landscape. This session will equip cybersecurity professionals, educators, and policymakers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the evolving cybersecurity workforce in the era of AI.