Building 21st century talent and security to combat cyber threats in Michigan

By: Ethan Hogan

For the sixth year in a row, Gov. Rick Snyder hosted the 2017 North American International Cyber Summit in Detroit. The governor addressed a record audience of more than 900 attendees about the importance of cybersecurity in the 21st century, especially in the wake of incidents such as the Equifax breach, and the need to ensure the privacy and security of individuals from the potential threats of identity theft or fraud.

“Technology advances in the 21st century have improved the lives of people all over the world, but these advances also come with new security risks that must be addressed if we are going to remain safe in modern society,” Snyder said. “The collaboration of public, private, military and education sectors is critical to develop the solutions that will allow technology innovators to continue to change the world, in a safe and secure environment.”

In a continued effort to close Michigan’s talent gap and meet the growing demand for cyber professionals, the governor emphasized the need to expose young individuals to the field of cybersecurity. For the second year running, high school students from around the state participated in the Governor’s High School Cyber Challenge, which tests students’ skills in networking, programming and operating system security. More than 560 students participated this year, including more female students, which is double last year’s participation. At the start of the summit, Gov. Snyder met with and observed the teams in action as they competed in the challenge. Three team winners were announced and awarded, including:

First place: Okemos High School

Second place: Cadillac High School

Third place: Airport High School, Carleton, MI

In addition to interacting with the next generation of cyber defenders, the governor had the opportunity to meet with members of the Michigan Cyber Security Corps, or MiC3, who are highly trained volunteers from government, education, and business sectors who provide expert assistance and enhance the state’s ability to rapidly resolve cyber incidents. As the governor addressed summit attendees, he applauded legislation signed last week that ensures MiC3 members are offered the same immunity as state employees assisting local units of government and private businesses with cybersecurity services in times of emergency. As we continue to build a safer, stronger cyber environment in Michigan, this bill will help safeguard the individuals who are central in our defense against cyber-attacks.

The governor also announced a strategic partnership between the State of Michigan and Cisco to further advance and position Michigan as the nation’s leading digitally advanced and security state. Modeled after Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program, the three-year targeted collaboration will accelerate Michigan’s digital transition.

“Together, we will help power Michigan’s economic transformation through innovation in mobility, digital economy, training and education, and citizen-centric governance,” Snyder said.

The summit served as an opportunity to form connections and partnerships that will help Michigan more effectively fight the cyber threats of the future. Shared information is critical to preventing and stopping the spread of attacks, and it’s our responsibility to facilitate that information sharing to ensure the protection of our individual and collective security and privacy.