09/07/17
TOPEKA, Kan. - Registration is now open for the first large-scale cyber security event in Kansas, which will be Oct. 4 at the Wichita State University Hughes Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. North.

The inaugural Cyber Security Forum will offer invaluable insight for business and security decision makers in small businesses, non-profits, and government, as well as provide a platform for students and educators to engage with industry professionals. The forum also aims to raise the awareness of Kansas' position as a leader in the cyber security field.

The daylong event is free and open to the public.

Featured speakers and presenters are experts in cyber security from across the state, nationally recognized industry and government professionals, educators and researchers from higher education, and military personnel from McConnell Air Force Base. The detailed event program and complete list of speakers can be found on the event website at www.wichitacybersecurityforum.com/.

"The idea behind the event was generated by a conversation with a Wichita-based small business that wanted to raise the awareness level of cyber defense for other small businesses across our state," said Lisa Roberts, associate state director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center. "That conversation led to reaching out to other organizations interested in achieving the same goals. Over time, our work evolved into what we are sure will be an amazing day in October."

The planning team, led by the Kansas SBDC, is a collaboration of multiple community organizations, educational institutions and private sector businesses. All are involved in the cyber security industry or cyber defense. The event is in line with the Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth, a 10-county, cluster-based economic development plan led by the Greater Wichita Partnership.

"Cyber security is a growing field across the country and globe, and is significant to our local economy here in the Wichita." said Andrew Nave, executive vice president of economic development for the Greater Wichita Partnership. "The 184th Intelligence Wing at McConnell Air Force Base and expanding local educational and degree attainment programs are reinforcing the infrastructure to drive job creation in our region."

In addition to the Kansas SBDC and the Greater Wichita Partnership, sponsors are the Kansas Department of Commerce; Wichita State University; Friends University; Butler Community College; Booz Allen Hamilton; Kansas Air National Guard; Better Business Bureau Inc.; Ennovar Technology Solutions; Keller Leopold Insurance; Kansas PTAC; TriCorps Security; and TriCorps Cybersecurity.

A closing reception to the forum will be from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Wichita State University Experiential Engineering Building, 4110 E. 17th St. North, Wichita. Kansas Interim Secretary of Commerce Nick Jordan will address the group to start the evening networking event.

The Kansas Small Business Development Center:
The Kansas SBDC, hosted by Fort Hays State University, is a statewide advising, consulting, and training service for small businesses (typically less than 500 employees) funded by federal, state, and local partners. Funding through tax dollars allows the Kansas SBDC to provide advising and training (such as cash flow, marketing, and market data) to businesses across the state at low or no cost. The SBDC is part of a larger national association committed to helping small businesses reach their development, improvement, and transition goals.

To learn more, visit http://www.kansassbdc.net or call 877-625-7232.