University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

University of Advancing Technology hosts information protection panel with industry leaders to discuss the latest trends in cyber security

Cyber Security Awareness Month

On October 2nd, the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) launched its Cyber Week in celebration of Cyber Security Awareness Month with an engaging panel discussion moderated by Robert Walker, UAT’s Director of Community Initiatives. The panel featured a diverse group of experts and students, each contributing valuable insights on the state of cybersecurity.

Meet the Panelists

• Dara Gibson, President of InfraGard Arizona, emphasized the critical role of industry connections in securing essential infrastructure.
• Dr. Briant Becote, UAT Professor and Navy veteran, brought international experience in cybersecurity from his time serving as Director of International Affairs in Egypt and Qatar.
• Aaron Rodriguez, UAT Cyber Security Professor and 11-year Air Force veteran, shared his deep expertise in technology and security solutions.
• Christopher Alsay, a UAT undergraduate Network Security student, and Kyle Suttie, a former Game Design student now Cyber Security Graduate student, offered a fresh perspective from their hands-on experiences at UAT.

Exploring the Cyber Threat Landscape

The conversation opened with a focus on the most pressing cybersecurity threats facing organizations today. Dara Gibson stressed the importance of education and training, noting that no matter the sector, robust training and network segmentation are essential to building strong defenses. Dr. Becote added a thorough explanation of zero trust security and why it is so crucial that users take dominion over their data, from auditing what emails come in their inbox, to reviewing their credit report regularly for abnormal activity.  

The panel explored how industries can work together to enhance cybersecurity, highlighting how technology’s rapid evolution demands cooperation. Artificial intelligence (AI) was a major talking point, with the group discussing how both attackers and defenders are leveraging AI to gain the upper hand. While AI offers powerful defense capabilities, ethical concerns surrounding its use in cyberattacks remain a crucial consideration.

Shaping the Future with Practical Education

The discussion concluded with a look at how UAT is preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Unlike traditional approaches that rely heavily on theory, Christopher and Kyle asserted that as a UAT student, they learn through practical, hands-on applications, equipping them to meet the growing demands of the cybersecurity landscape. Professor Rodriguez corroborated these claims noting that and listing the items he teaches in his course from ethical hacking to offensive penetration testing.

This panel provided an excellent kickoff to UAT’s Cyber Week, sparking important conversations about the future of cybersecurity and the role education plays in shaping it

To learn more about you can secure your cyber security future, visit University of Advancing Technology.