Tag Archives: cybersecurity

GM VP of global cyber Kevin Tierney presents ‘Building Cyber Leaders and Leadership’ at Walsh College’s Conversation With Leaders

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., Nov. 22, 2021 — Kevin Tierney, vice president, global cybersecurity for General Motors, will present Building Cyber Leaders and Leadership Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 from 12-1 p.m. as part of Walsh College’s Conversation With Leaders series. This free, live virtual event will be moderated by Leon Nash, partner, Deloitte. This event, the first in a series of three discussions that will run through 2022, is open to all. Those who work in CFO and CIO offices will benefit significantly from the session. Reservations are required.

Tierney oversees all aspects of cybersecurity risk across the General Motors enterprise. In his previous role as chief product cybersecurity officer he built one of the industry’s first internal red team penetration testing lab and launched the first security vulnerability disclosure program of any major automaker.

“Cyber vulnerability is one of the most significant challenges facing businesses today. Organizations must develop cybersecurity leaders within their own ranks to mitigate complex, ever-evolving cybersecurity risks. Walsh College incorporates this principle into our cybersecurity curriculum and we are fortunate to have Kevin Tierney share his expertise in this area with the Walsh community,” said Michael Levens, Ph.D., president and CEO of Walsh College.

For more information or to register for Building Cyber Leaders and Leadership, visit foundation.walshcollege.edu/conversations-with-leaders

# # #

ABOUT WALSH
Walsh is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1922, Walsh is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. Our internationally and nationally-ranked programs integrate theory and application to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh degree programs include accounting, data analytics, finance, information technology, human resources, management, marketing, taxation and other fields. For more information, please visit www.walshcollege.edu.

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (www.acbsp.org).

New book by Walsh IT faculty provides cyber risk mitigation strategy for organizations

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., Sept. 21, 2021 — Walsh College has announced the publication of “The Force of Technology,” a book co-authored by information technology/decision sciences (ITDS) faculty Dave Schippers, DSc, CISSP, Michael Simko, DSc, CISSP and Terri Richards, Ph.D. and edited by Jennifer O’Meara, Ph.D., associate professor, business communication. “The Force of Technology” examines the importance of understanding technology operations and protections in business and offers attainable strategies for designing, leading and managing cyber risk mitigation in any organization up to the enterprise level. Published by Iron Dog LLC, “The Force of Technology” is available for purchase on Amazon and is being used in Walsh’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), Cyber MBA and Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership curriculum.

“We live in a connected age and those interconnections, while convenient, can pose serious threats to organizations’ security, data and our way of life. ‘The Force of Technology’ is a playbook for business leaders, whether they have a technical background or not, to level up their understanding of technology and learn to lead critical cyber risk mitigation in their organizations,” said Schippers.

Schippers serves as chair of Walsh’s ITDS department and has decades of experience in IT, cybersecurity and project management. He also holds a professional investigator license in Michigan. Simko has experience as a cybersecurity architect and manager and currently works as a deputy director of IT in addition to teaching at Walsh. Richards has more than 20 years of IT industry experience in a range of roles including leading teams of developers in Michigan and India.

All proceeds from the “The Force of Technology” will be donated to the Lesia Mahon Scholarship Fund, named for the late Walsh IT professor.

For more information about Walsh, visit www.walshcollege.edu.

# # #

ABOUT WALSH
Walsh is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1922, Walsh is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. Our internationally and nationally-ranked programs integrate theory and application to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh degree programs include accounting, data analytics, finance, information technology, human resources, management, marketing, taxation and other fields. For more information, please visit www.walshcollege.edu.

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (www.acbsp.org).

Walsh College ITDS chair Dave Schippers to present at international HexCon conference

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., Aug. 24, 2021— Dave Schippers, Sc.D., CISSP, assistant professor and chair of Walsh’s information technology/decision sciences (ITDS) department, will present at HexCon21, a virtual international technology conference focused on cybersecurity, endpoint security and software as a service (SaaS) expertise on Sept. 21-23, 2021. Schippers’ presentation, entitled Lessons Learned: COVID-19 Cyber Impacts, will cover COVID-19 exploit tactics, industry-specific trends during the pandemic and resiliency recommendations for organizations. Schippers joins industry thought leaders from Apple, AWS, HP, Microsoft and others. An audience of more than 5,000, including CEOs, CIOs and industry experts from more than 120 countries is expected.

Under Schippers’ leadership, Walsh’s ITDS department recently launched a Cyber Master of Business Administration, the first integrative program of its kind in Michigan, and a Master of Science in Data Analytics. Schippers designed an automotive cybersecurity concentration in Walsh’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program, making Walsh the first institution in the nation to offer an automotive cybersecurity degree concentration. He also developed Advanced Team-Based Attack/Defend Techniques, a course to build hands-on skills, situational awareness and response capability in hostile cyber environments, which was hailed by Walsh’s Technology Advisory Board as a unique opportunity for students in Michigan to advance cybersecurity skills and awareness.

Schippers earned his Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University. His doctoral research focused on source device authentication, assessing engineering and forensic authentication techniques. He earned a Master of Science in Information Systems Management and his undergraduate degree in information security and intelligence with a concentration in digital forensics from Ferris State University. He holds multiple industry certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Encase Certified Examiner (EnCe) and has a professional investigator license in Michigan.

For more information about Walsh College, visit www.walshcollege.edu.

# # #

ABOUT WALSH
Walsh is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1922, Walsh is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. Our internationally and nationally-ranked programs integrate theory and application to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh degree programs include accounting, data analytics, finance, information technology, human resources, management, marketing, taxation and other fields. For more information, please visit www.walshcollege.edu.

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (www.acbsp.org).

Virtual Event: Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working

Posted on by

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. —With more employees working remotely for the foreseeable future, businesses are seeing a resulting increase in spoofing and other attempts by hackers to access confidential and valuable information. Does your business have the proper protection policies and procedures in place? Join Foster Swift for a virtual training session.

Moderated by Patricia Scott, learn from attorneys Robert Hamor and Taylor Gast on ways to minimize risk and avoid disaster as more of your employees work remotely. This virtual discussion will touch on the recent rise in spoofing and other computer hacking attempts, along with strategies to protect your business and employees.

Details of the event are below:

What: Webinar on Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working
When: Thursday, December 10 from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HlKA7kLQRcOdkAq1d1BRag

Walsh Foundation Appoints Vicki Kamenova to Board of Directors

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., Aug. 5, 2020 —The Walsh Foundation announces the appointment of Vicki E. Kamenova, Partner/Principal in Ernst & Young’s cybersecurity practice, to its Board of Directors. Kamenova is a double Walsh alumna, earning her bachelor of business administration in computer information systems in 2004 and a master of science in information assurance in 2010.

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Kamenova immigrated to the United States in 1999 and is considered a leader in her field. She is a strong advocate for engaging women in the information technology field and encouraging them to explore and pursue STEM career opportunities. She also volunteers with the Walsh’s mentor program and was recently named a Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Kamenova to the Walsh Foundation Board of Directors,” said Susan Foley, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at Walsh. “She is a trailblazer in her field and an engaged member of our alumni network. We look forward to her input as we continue transforming lives through education.”

The Walsh Foundation Board fosters private and public philanthropic support for strategic educational initiatives at Walsh while ensuring the integrity of the philanthropy program. It is staffed by Walsh employees and led by volunteers who are business, community and industry leaders.

For more information about the Walsh Foundation, visit foundation.walshcollege.edu

# # #

ABOUT WALSH
Walsh is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1922, Walsh is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. Our internationally and nationally-ranked programs integrate theory and application to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh degree programs include accounting, data analytics, finance, information technology, human resources, management, marketing, taxation and other fields. For more information, please visit www.walshcollege.edu.

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (www.acbsp.org).

Detroit-based AaDya Security to Assist Detroit Small Businesses with Free Access to their new Cybersecurity Platform

Posted on by

AaDya will provide Detroit businesses with 10 or fewer employees six months of free access to Marzo4, an all-in-one cybersecurity platform featuring Judy, an innovative AI-driven virtual assistant to protect small businesses from increasing threats.

July 13, 2020, Detroit, Michigan – AaDya Security, a Detroit-based startup founded by security executive Raffaele Mautone in March of 2019, is offering their new cybersecurity platform, Marzo4, to support Detroit small businesses. The offer includes FREE access to the platform for each employee for 6 months with the remaining 6 months at the special rate of $20 per user, per month.

“I launched AaDya Security in Detroit because I believe in this city, and its future as a player in the tech space. I am passionate about helping other startups and small businesses in the city and have built that into AaDya’s core values,” explained Mautone. “As a small business serving small business customers, we know first-hand the challenges they are currently facing, including the significant increase in cyber threats. The last thing business owners should have to worry about is a breach, so we felt the best way to help was to offer our support through access to our platform and our cybersecurity expertise.”

Mautone’s vast experience with companies offering mostly enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions led him to the conclusion that there was a real need for a comprehensive solution built specifically to meet the needs and budgets of small and medium businesses.

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the Marzo4 platform is Judy. Powered by artificial intelligence, Judy functions as a virtual cybersecurity assistant, available to every employee, across all devices, around the clock. Backed by AaDya’s customer success team, and an extensive built-in knowledge base, small businesses have access to cybersecurity support that was previously out of their reach.

“There are many cybersecurity solutions out there that are effective, but they are really geared toward the enterprise,” said Mautone. “What we’ve built with Marzo4 has everything a small business needs in one package, that’s easy to manage and implement. The reality for most small businesses is their internal IT, and especially cybersecurity resources, are limited or non-existent, so managing multiple solutions that frankly offer more than they need is neither efficient nor cost-effective.”

In addition to Judy, Marzo4 includes four essential “pillars” of protection that cover the most common threats facing small businesses.

The four pillars of protection include:

Anti phishing
Endpoint protection
Password management
Single sign on

“In addition to increasing their protection against phishing attacks, malware, ransomware and password hacking, we also designed Marzo4 to make their lives easier,” explained Mautone. “Nobody wants to remember dozens of passwords, so they default to unsafe practices to create and store them. Our solutions remove that barrier to productivity and security with our easy and secure password manager and single sign on access to the applications they use every day.”

To request a product demo and to learn more about Marzo4 and AaDya’s special offer for Detroit small businesses, customers can visit https://get.aadyasecurity.com/marzo4-detroit, email inquiries@aadyasecurity.org, or call (800) 918-9113 and reference promo code MARZO4-DET.

###

About AaDya Security
Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, AaDya Security provides smart, simple, effective cybersecurity software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Marzo4, our all-in-one cybersecurity platform, powered by Judy, an interactive AI virtual assistant, is simple, affordable and provides 24/7 cybersecurity protection and intuitive customer support for companies who lack the time, expertise and capital to successfully implement these solutions on their own.

AaDya was founded by cybersecurity executive Raffaele Mautone in March 2019 with a mission to create comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that are accessible to the small and medium business customer. For more information please visit our website, AaDyasecurity.com

Walsh Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Receives National Ranking

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., April 2, 2020 — Walsh has ranked as having one of 2020’s Best Online Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Programs by Student Training in Education and Public Service (STEPS). STEPS recognizes schools providing students with quality, affordable online learning opportunities in fields of public service. Programs were ranked based on accreditation, format and course delivery, curriculum and affordability. Walsh is one of only 50 schools to make the list and received the highest ranking of any school in Michigan.

Walsh was one of the first schools in Michigan to be recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and was the first school in the nation to offer a degree concentration in automotive cybersecurity. Its information technology degrees align with Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security NICE Framework Standards.

Walsh was an early adopter of online education, offering its first online course in 1998. Other recent recognition for excellence in online education includes a Tier One Global Online MBA, one of the Best Online MBA Programs in the U.S., and one of the Best Online Master’s in Network Security. Walsh’s online programs provide the same curriculum as on-ground programs and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Higher Learning Commission.

View the complete list from STEPS at www.publicservicedegrees.org/online-degrees/cyber-security-programs/masters/

For more information about Walsh, visit www.walshcollege.edu/future-students.

# # #

ABOUT WALSH
Walsh is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1922, Walsh is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. Our internationally and nationally-ranked programs integrate theory and application to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh degree programs include accounting, finance, information technology, human resources, management, marketing, taxation and other fields. For more information, please visit www.walshcollege.edu.

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (www.acbsp.org).

Automation Alley, Lean Rocket Lab and Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator launch nation’s first Industry 4.0 Accelerator

Posted on by

TROY, Mich., Feb. 5, 2020—A new Industry 4.0 Accelerator program—the first of its kind in the U.S.—is launching in Michigan with the goal to help small and medium-sized technology and manufacturing companies along their digital transformation journeys.

The Industry 4.0 Accelerator program—lead by Automation Alley with support services from Lean Rocket Lab and Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator—is a $2.5 million investment fund made possible through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with $1.3 million currently available for early-stage companies as well as established firms looking to commercialize products, services or technologies within the Industry 4.0 sector.

Industry 4.0, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is known as the convergence of the digital and physical technologies disrupting industry and includes technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics, 3D printing and digital twin.

“Industry 4.0 is challenging the way businesses operate around the globe. It’s no longer a question of whether your company will be affected by the digital transformation but when. We are pleased to partner with Lean Rocket Lab and LTU’s Centrepolis on the Industry 4.0 Accelerator program and are looking forward to investing in innovative companies and Michigan’s future,” said Tom Kelly, executive director and CEO of Automation Alley, a leading technology and manufacturing business association and Industry 4.0 knowledge center based in Troy, Michigan.

“The attraction, development and deployment of the best technologies will help these companies succeed and simultaneously ensure Michigan’s continued role as the epicenter of advanced manufacturing,” added Brandon Marken, founder and CEO of Lean Rocket Lab, a Jackson, Michigan-based manufacturing and tech-focused startup accelerator and incubator.

Companies involved in the program will receive direct investment and business coaching services to help spur innovation, commercialization and growth. The accelerator is also looking for larger firms and organizations to partner on this effort and support Industry 4.0 adoption for Michigan manufacturers.

Services will be customized to meet the needs of each participating company, including potential pilot and demonstration project funding support with customers and strategic partners, potential connections to product development partnerships with customers and strategic partners, individualized training and mentorship, company growth assessments, technical and business milestone progress planning, strategic plan development, assessing management team and talent needs, investment and fundraising strategy support, potential connections to investors and capital sources, shared workspace opportunities and more.

“There is simply no better location for an Industry 4.0 Accelerator than in the heart of the world’s most important advanced manufacturing market—Michigan!” said Dan Radomski, Director, Centrepolis Accelerator.

“The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is proud to support the Industry 4.0 Accelerator program,” said Nadia Abunasser, Federal and Development Projects Director for the MEDC. “The addition of this program will ensure high-tech manufacturing startups across Michigan have access to the resources they need to take their projects from ideation to commercialization, solidifying Michigan as a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation while continuing to build on our manufacturing heritage.”

For more information or to apply, contact John Bedz, Automation Alley’s special programs manager, at bedzj@automationalley.com.

About Automation Alley
Automation Alley is Michigan’s Industry 4.0 knowledge center, with a global outlook and a regional focus. Our programs give companies a competitive advantage by helping them along every step of their digital transformation journey. We obsess over disruptive technologies like AI, the Internet of Things and automation, and work hard to make these complex concepts easier for companies to understand and implement. As a nonprofit technology and manufacturing business association, we connect industry, academia and government to fuel Michigan’s economy and accelerate innovation. The mission of Automation Alley is to position Michigan as a global leader in Industry 4.0 by helping our members increase revenue, reduce costs and make strategic decisions during a time of rapid technological change. Visit automationalley.com.

About Lean Rocket Lab
The Lean Rocket Lab is a Jackson, Michigan based business incubator and member of the state-wide MEDC SmartZone Business Incubator Ecosystem through an agreement with the Enterprise Group of Jackson County and the Blackman Township SmartZone. The Lab exists to offer entrepreneurial services and provides business validation, incubation and accelerator programming to manufacturing/technology focused startups and support high tech innovation in the State. Visit leanrocketlab.info.

About Centrepolis
The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is accelerating the growth of Southeast Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, innovative hardware entrepreneurs and small manufacturers by providing access to funding, experts and key business and product development resources. Visit centrepolisaccelerator.com.

About MEDC
MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech startup companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation visit michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.

###

Automation Alley announces details of 2020 Technology in Industry Report and Reveal event on April 27

Posted on by

TROY, Mich.—February 3, 2020—Automation Alley, Michigan’s leading technology and manufacturing business association and Industry 4.0 knowledge center, is set to release its 2020 Technology in Industry Report, a guide to Industry 4.o implementation, at the Technology in Industry Reveal at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham on Monday, April 27, 2020 from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The event will include a strolling breakfast and the opportunity to network with an anticipated 300 technology and manufacturing professionals as they explore the smart and connected technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

New this year are hands-on demonstration areas where attendees can experience Industry 4.0 technologies including collaborative robotics, augmented reality, digital strategy and artificial intelligence from Behco, OPS Solutions/Light Guide Systems, Worksighted, Soothsayer and other companies to be announced. Back by popular demand are a series of Tech Talks where regional and national leaders in Industry 4.0 will share their digital transformation journeys.

All attendees will receive a copy of Automation Alley’s 2020 Technology in Industry Report, Seeing Industry 4.0 through a 2020 Lens. This year’s report will include case studies and white papers written in collaboration with academic and industry leaders on Industry 4.0 trending topics impacting companies today, including:

• The rise of AI
• 5G: An Industry 4.0 game-changer
• The convergence of IT and OT
• Building a strong supply chain with Big Data
• How Industry 4.0 transforms data regulation & protection
• The impact of digital twins
• Additive manufacturing trends
• Industry 4.0 & the global workforce
• And more

“As Automation Alley continues to position Michigan as a global leader in Industry 4.0, we are pleased to again host the Technology in Industry Reveal and discuss how these trends are impacting people, processes and technology now and in the near future,” Tom Kelly, Automation Alley executive director and CEO, said. “With rapidly evolving Industry 4.0 technologies and research, this year’s event promises to be both insightful and motivational for companies seeking a competitive edge with their own digital transformation.”

For information on exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, contact Automation Alley Sales Manager Kristin O’Neill oneillk@automationalley.com. To register for the April 27 event, visit https://automationalley.com/techreveal.

About Automation Alley
Automation Alley is Michigan’s Industry 4.0 knowledge center, with a global outlook and a regional focus. Our programs give companies a competitive advantage by helping them along every step of their digital transformation journey. We obsess over disruptive technologies like AI, the Internet of Things and automation, and work hard to make these complex concepts easier for companies to understand and implement. As a nonprofit technology and manufacturing business association, we connect industry, academia and government to fuel Michigan’s economy and accelerate innovation. Visit automationalley.com.

Our Mission
The mission of Automation Alley is to position Michigan as a global leader in Industry 4.0 by helping our members increase revenue, reduce costs and think strategically during a time of rapid technological change.
###

Local Crisis Experts Stress the Importance of Building Relationships and Proactive Crisis Plans

Posted on by

Yesterday, the Chamber’s Your Company’s Crisis: What You Need to Know Now emphasized the importance of not only preparing for crises but having diverse teams in place that allow businesses to take immediate action before, during, and after a crisis. Expert speakers shared real-world examples of crises to showcase the importance of practicing a crisis plan and building relationships to help execute it.

Crisis readiness is a mindset, said Margarita Gurri, misbehavior expert, also known as Dr. Red Shoe. Having a plan is only beneficial if you review, practice, and prepare communications.

Most adverse situations involve the workforce. When good companies find themselves in bad situations, it is often due to poor behavior from an employee or group of employees. Companies should develop relationships early to be proactive about the inevitable nature of workforce crises.

“It’s critical to help employers identify both their internal team and external team,” said Maria Dwyer, member in charge at Clark Hill. “Internally prepare with your marketing director, the CEO, or HR person. Then the internal team would help you identify who should be a part of your external team, and that would include insurance, PR, your attorneys.”

“Avoid saying no comment,” said keynote speaker Carol Cain, senior producer and host of CBS 62’s “Michigan Matters,” and columnist for the Detroit Free Press. “The info will get out eventually, and it won’t go away, so be upfront as quickly as possible.”

Having resources available and being public about those resources helps companies approach crisis from the inside out, said Matt Friedman, co-founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications. Put your workforce first; they are most affected by what’s going wrong.

With increasing advancements in technology, the need for a crisis plan to protect businesses against cyberattacks is more important than ever. It’s no longer enough for businesses to protect themselves; businesses need to review the security of their partners as well.

“You’re only as secure as your weakest link,” said Rob Sayre, vice president of technology at Bedrock Detroit. “Understanding your partner’s security and having third party risk assessments is important.”