Editor-in-Chief: Tran Cheung
Welcome to the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter's July 2024 Issue!
Our goal is to provide the cybersecurity community with monthly New Jersey Chapter news, upcoming events and initiatives, as well as timely and relevant articles from our dedicated member volunteers.
Special thanks to Aaron Kraus and Patricia Guroff for supporting this month's publication!
We invite you to send any comments or suggestions to communications@isc2chapternj.org.
Welcome Aboard!
Welcome Aboard!
This month we welcomed 46 (!!) new members, including 18 student members. The chapter continues to expand its reach to security practitioners across the country and around the world.
Great to meet you all and glad you joined us!
Daniel Taylor, Aaron Greenwood, Treniese Ladson, Karen Harris, Heather Thomas, Owen Richards Jr, Jeet Fernandez (Australia), Danilo Duran, Sikirat Damilola Mustapha, Henry Claisse, Venkatesan Thirunarayanan, Eric Benante (PA), Helena Rush (VA), Alexandra Adegoke, James Godlewski, Grace Coker, Wesley Reinhart (CT). Andy Nguyen, Salvatore Ardisi, Manuel Pierre, Diana Despecci, Isabella Masso, Jaya Yalamanchili (TX). Ruth Gittens, Anthony Dennis, Jason Peel, Jonnieann Hoffman, Ian Schudel (CO), Mike Parsons (NC), Mitchell Indelicato, Go Charan Kilaru (DE), Oluwole Franklyn-Ayeni, Kenneth Owusu, Stephanie Urbanski (NY), Michael Zambotti, Alex Blinder, Desiree Batista, Madison Jenkins, Darrel Abang, Joe Folk, Antasia Howard, Max Garris, Rayleen Ramos, Anna Livingston, Tod Syversen, and Devante Charles.
New Initiatives
Introducing Our New Internship Program: ISC2 New Jersey Cyber Guardians!
The ISC2 New Jersey Chapter has identified the need to address cyber threats as a major concern for non-profit groups that often lack necessary resources to combat cyber risks.
In response to this need, we have established ISC2 New Jersey Cyber Guardians, a high-level program designed to provide cybersecurity assessment services to the 501(c)(3) (nonprofit) community while empowering and advancing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through internship opportunities.
We intend to launch the initiative this year with the assistance of the Center for Cyber Safety and Education.
**If you know of any non-profit, NJ-based organizations that might be in need of this service, please reach out to Ken Fishkin at president@isc2chapternj.org.
The ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Podcast is Coming!
Due to an overwhelming demand to start a podcast for the chapter, we have formed a committee last month and will be producing a podcast. To ramp up our launch date, we are crowdsourcing elements of it with our members.
The first podcast series, Jersey Girls in Cyber is scheduled for the Fall!
CMMC Committee and Roundtable Overview
Our ISC2 New Jersey Chapter is excited to announce the formation of a new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) committee. This initiative is aimed at providing our members with valuable insights and resources related to CMMC compliance, a critical framework for protecting sensitive unclassified information in the defense supply chain.
The committee will serve as a hub for knowledge sharing, best practices, and the latest updates in CMMC guidelines and requirements. To further support this effort, we are hosting a CMMC roundtable discussion. This event will feature experts from various sectors who have navigated the complexities of CMMC implementation. It offers an excellent opportunity for professionals to engage in meaningful dialogue, ask questions, and share experiences. Our goal is to foster a community of learning and collaboration, empowering our members to achieve and maintain CMMC compliance more effectively.
The roundtable will cover a wide range of topics, including the latest changes to the CMMC framework, strategies for preparing for CMMC assessments, and the role of cybersecurity in ensuring compliance. Attendees will also have the chance to network with peers, discuss challenges and solutions, and gain practical insights into building a robust cybersecurity posture in line with CMMC standards.
Overview of CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a unified standard designed to enhance the cybersecurity posture of companies within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It introduces a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, covering basic cyber hygiene to advanced practices, ensuring that sensitive information is adequately protected. The CMMC framework is a mandatory requirement for contractors seeking to work with the U.S. Department of Defense, and it plays a crucial role in safeguarding national security by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
To join our CMMC Roundtable please fill out this form here.
Event Recap
July 2024 Monthly Meeting Recap!
Gillian Deak– SOC Tier 2 Analyst at Binary Defense Recording can be found here
Rupesh Shirke – Operational Technology Security - Protecting your Critical Infrastructure Recording can be found here
Go Kart and Axe Throwing
Thanks to our amazing sponsor, IBM, this month's highly attended social outing was Go Kart racing and axe throwing! As always, it was great to meet some new members and catch up with old friends.
2nd Annual Global Chapter Leaders Summit
Check out our chapter leaders speaking at the ISC2 Global Chapter Leaders Summit 2024. This talk covered the basics of forming and keeping committees engaged to do the important work that supports an IsC2 chapter, including the importance of a Committee Charter. Speakers include Ken Fishkin, Matt Lang, John Linkowsky, Mallik Prasad, and Sharon Kelley from the NJ Chapter.
Also be sure to check out Ken’s individual talk about juggling the demands of an ISC2 chapter and balancing work, family, and other commitments
Shout Outs
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Brian Turcotte for passing the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity exam!
Upcoming Events
New Member Welcome Meeting - Virtual Only
Are you a new or nearly new NJ Chapter member? If so, join one of our upcoming orientation (welcome) meetings, where you can learn about all the chapter benefits and ask questions about membership.
Our membership co-chairs, Sharon and Sam run this virtual welcome meeting on the third Thursday of each month. Click here to register for our next welcome meeting on Thursday, August 15th at 6pm. The meeting will last approximately 20 minutes and will be recorded and sent to new members who weren't able to join.
Atlantic City Cybersecurity & Fraud Forum
Register for a conference that will focus on cybersecurity & fraud topics, designed to give cyber leaders immediately actionable insights. Moderated discussion will follow each topic, with streamlined talking points to maximize audience take-aways. Speakers will be from the Secret Service, the FBI and other government agencies.
Here are some of the topics that will be discussed: Zero Trust, what it means in the context of new SEC/government guidelines The convergence of fraud prevention/risk management and cybersecurity Case studies from law enforcement agencies, focusing on recent trends Prevalence of AI-based cyber attacks, intrusions, response, etc. New solutions from in fraud mitigation and infrastructure security How NOT to lead: An audacious guide to cybersecurity leadership pitfalls
Date: August 22, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cape May Tech (188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ)Agenda focus: Zero trust and the new SEC guidelines, Case studies from law enforcement, Prevalence of AI-based cyber attacks, and more!
Register here.
ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Monthly Meeting - August 2024
There won’t be a meeting for the month of August 2024. Enjoy your summer break!
Cloud Risk Management Training, September 10, 2024
Adnan Rafique, MS Cyber Security Expert will be giving a 2-hour training on Cloud Risk Management. While our in-person event is sold out, you can still attend the event virtually by registering here. Non-members can attend this event virtually.
Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Time: 6-8 pm (Happy Hour follows for in person event)
Location: Virtual and Roseland, NJ
Cost: FREE
ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Fall Picnic, September 14, 2024
Sign up now for the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Fall Picnic! You don't want to miss one of our chapter's signature gatherings! We had over a hundred members attend our last picnic.
Sign up here.
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 12-4 pm
New Location: Piscataway, NJ
Cost: FREE
Bring your family!
SAVE THE DATE - September Monthly Meeting, September 19 2024
Speakers:
Charlene Deaver-Vazquez will discuss Cyber Risk Quantification – Pitfalls and Fixes
Meet our Mentorship Committee
Date: September 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual Event
NY Metro Joint Cybersecurity Conference - September 26th, 2024 (New Date!)
NY Metro Joint Cybersecurity Conference
The 2024 NY Metro Joint Cyber Security Conference will be held on September 26th, celebrating our 11th year featuring keynotes, panels and sessions aimed at educating everyone on the various aspects of information security and technology. Workshops featuring in-depth extended classroom-style educational courses to expand your knowledge and foster security discussions will take place the same day.
Date: September 26, 2024
Time: 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft, 11 Times Square New York, NY
Register here.
Tickets are only $50 using the discount code "PARTNER24"
Tickets are only $25 for students using discount code “STUDENT24” (limited to only 50 students)
SAVE THE DATE - Capture the Flag Event, October 27, 2024
ISC2 New Jersey Chapter will be holding its first Capture the Flag event at St. Peter's University, in conjunction with Pace University. Look out for more details in the coming months. This will be an entry-level event, so don't be shy about signing up!
Volunteer Opportunities
Current Initiatives
JuMPstart Mentorship Program (JUMP)
Dear Members,
As we enjoy the warmth and relaxation of summer, we are excited to bring you the latest updates from the JuMP Mentorship Program. Our team continues to diligently review software options to enhance the mentor-mentee experience. Our goal is to ensure that the program remains accessible and productive, even during the summer months when many are taking well-deserved vacations.
We have received some wonderful feedback from our participants, highlighting the positive impact of our program:
"It was amazing. I learned a lot and got so much awesome knowledge."
"Alfonso has been generous and supportive of my interests and goals as a mentee. Specifically, Alfonso began our first meeting by listening to my elevator pitch and offering actionable feedback and suggestions to improve. At SECON, Alfonso introduced me to his network in person and I am very grateful for his mentorship and guidance."
These testimonials underscore the value of our mentorship community and the meaningful connections being made.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our mentors and mentees for their ongoing participation and feedback. Your contributions are invaluable in helping us refine and improve the program.
As we continue to work towards enhancing your experience, we encourage everyone to stay engaged and share your thoughts with us. Whether you're taking a break or staying active in the community, we appreciate your commitment and look forward to your continued involvement.
Lastly, we wish everyone a joyful and restful summer! Enjoy the sunshine, relax, and recharge. We can't wait to see what we can accomplish together in the coming months.
Warm regards,
Matthew Lang and The Mentorship Committee
Get Involved: Interested in mentoring? Join our dynamic roster by signing up here.
Contact Us: For any questions, comments, or suggestions, please reach out to us at mentoring@isc2chapternj.org.
Join Our Discord Server!
We now have roughly 500 members on our Discord Server!
We are looking for volunteers to help make Discord a better and fun place. Please reach out to Bryon Singh at bryon@isc2chapternj.org with ideas or ping him on Discord!
By adding a Discord server to the mix of our communication tools, we now have real-time collaboration between our members 24/7. Looking for a job or for some advice on bettering yourself on the job? Find it here!
Our Discord Server is a dynamic hub for job seekers, offering firsthand job opportunities in various IT and Cyber positions from chapter members. It's also a resource for members seeking internships, aiming to enhance their skill sets, or wanting to share resumes for reviews and feedback (including interview skills assistance). In addition to our website and newsletter, we announce upcoming events through Discord Server notifications. You'll receive regular reminders, so you won’t miss out on our engaging events! Moreover, our mentorship program is hosted on Discord, facilitating interaction with mentors during your cohort.
For those members that want to communicate on a variety of topics between meetings using Discord, just send Ken an email at president@isc2chapternj.org to get the link.
The members of the Discord Committee are Bryon Singh, Tran Cheung, Giovanni Mercado, John Linkowsky , Krishna Nekkalapudi, Matthew Lang, Michael LeBlanc, Nikunj Shah, Brett Smith and Saurabh Sagdeo.
Educational Training
NYU and ISC2 New Jersey Chapter
The ISC2 New Jersey Chapter and the New York University Tandon School of Engineering have formed a partnership to further educational and credentialing opportunities for students and the cybersecurity community.
In addition to participating in NYU Tandon events, lectures, career fairs, and other professional development activities, ISC2 will offer students a full membership for $10, giving them access to a network of local industry leaders. As part of the agreement, ISC2 members can sign up for The NYU Center for Cybersecurity (CCS) mailing list to stay current with research and events featuring leading faculty and industry partners at cyber.nyu.edu.
To learn more about this program, click here.
Board of Directors
ISC2 New Jersey Chapter 2024 Board of Directors
President:
Ken Fishkin - President@isc2chapternj.org
Secretary:
Mallik Prasad - Secretary@isc2chapternj.org
Treasurer:
Priyanka De Abrew -
Treasurer@isc2chapternj.org
Education Chair:
John Linkowsky - Education@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Membership Chair:
Sharon Kelley - Sharon@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Membership Chair:
Samantha Snellen - Samantha@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Communications Chair:
Tran Cheung - Communications@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Communications Chair:
Bryon Singh - Bryon@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Mentorship Chair:
Matthew Lang - Mentoring@isc2chapternj.org
Co-Mentorship Chair:
Adam Shuren - Adam@isc2chapternj.org
Events Planner:
Marie Ivanov - marie@isc2chapternj.org