Archives: Seminar

[1 CPE] Views from the Porch: Tackling the Enablement of a Cybersecurity Workforce

  Presented by Ed Vasko • Director, Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity, Boise State University

Ed Vasko has spent over 30 years leading cybersecurity companies that provide critical services and platforms to clients around the world. Now he is deeply involved in solving the national crisis of not having an effective supply of cybersecurity workers to meet our national needs. In this keynote, he will share a career perspective of how this crisis developed and methods both educators and employers can take to begin solving our needs regionally and nationally. Come be a part of this “porch conversation” and join the discussion.

Ed Vasko, CISSP, is the Director of Boise State University’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity. He is a cybersecurity leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Boise State University, Ed established and was a Senior Vice President at Avertium, a leading national managed security and consulting provider. Before establishing Avertium, he was the co-founder and CEO of Terra Verde. Prior to being acquired by growth equity in 2018, Terra Verde was one of the nation’s largest providers of cybersecurity advisory and managed security services, with over 2,000 active clients around the world.

Ed’s other passion is tackling the challenge of enabling a “Ready to Work” cyber workforce. He has served on over 20 advisory boards providing expertise around cybersecurity industry needs, career pathways, and competency development. He has been appointed by multiple governors to lend his expertise to solving workforce challenges. He was the industry co-chair of the 2019 NICE Conference in Phoenix.

[1 CPE] Panel: Retaining Your IT Staff in Idaho, Can it Be Done?

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

“The other company is offering higher wages. I get to work remotely as much as I want and get a four-day workweek. Sorry, but I must take it.” Have you heard this just a few times? So many IT hiring managers are having to find creative ways to keep staff members in-house. While budgets and major company overhauls can’t always be achieved, some methods can help.

Idaho has unique challenges in retaining IT staff. Join the INTERFACE Advisory Council for an open conversation on how to keep your local IT staff intact. This panel features local IT hiring managers and leaders dealing with these challenges in their shops. Bring your questions as there will be an opportunity to get advice on your specific needs.

Panelists:

  • Russ Cunningham, Manager, IT Security, ON Semiconductor
  • Cody Kreps, Director, Information Services, Nampa School District
  • Jason Mertz, Director, Information Technology, TruGrocer Federal Credit Union

[1 CPE] Uniting Networking and Security to Build for a World that Never Stops

  Presented by Anthony James, Vice President, Security Strategy • Infoblox

Technology professionals are challenged with ensuring significant digital risks do not impact their organizations or those who depend on them. However, new approaches to networking and security are required with an increasingly distributed workforce, ever-more sophisticated cyberattacks, adoption of cloud-based infrastructures, and the rollout of 5G and IoT. Tomorrow’s technology ecosystem must be built on new, highly resilient foundations. These foundations empower those responsible for network performance and protection with the visibility, context, and control to tame complexity, protect users and customers, and ensure their businesses will thrive in a world that never stops.

[1 CPE] CPaaS & CXaaS: The Future of Communication

  Presented by CompuNet

This presentation will explore the advantages of CPaaS and CXaaS, two cloud-based solutions that are revolutionizing the way businesses communicate and engage with customers. We will cover vendor options, procurement models, as well as security and compliance aspects, and how AI and machine learning can optimize these solutions. By the end of the presentation, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how CPaaS and CXaaS can improve productivity, boost customer satisfaction, and drive revenue for your business in the current digital era.

[1 CPE] Hybrid Cloud: Empowering IT with Resiliency, Multicloud Strategies, Optimal Spend, & Sustainability

  Presented by Michael Donahue, Sr Director, Hybrid Cloud Solutions • Hitachi Vantara

The hybrid cloud has emerged as a game-changing paradigm for modern IT infrastructure, offering IT Leaders and above a wealth of opportunities to drive innovation and efficiency. With the ever-increasing demand for cyber resiliency, flexibility, and sustainability, it is crucial for IT constituents to grasp the intricacies of the hybrid cloud, including key concepts such as security, multicloud, nearcloud, cloud spend optimization, data refactorization, and sustainability practices.

Throughout the session, real-world case studies and examples will be shared from Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2 customers.

  • Day 0 means you want to take advantage of this new framework but are still working through how to adopt hybrid cloud, how to secure it, and how to recruit proper talent to maximize it.
  • Day 1 means your organization took the first step and has a minimum spend commit they must meet. However, you’re still unsure of how to meet it because you’re still determining which applications to refactor, which containerized microservices to adopt, how to reskill existing talent, and how to implement your compliance and governance strategy.
  • Day 2 means your organization has already overcome these hurdles. Nice work! Instead of worrying about hitting a minimum spend commit, you’re now focused on optimizing your environment to limit sprawling cloud costs and looking towards data repatriation efforts.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions and pose questions, fostering a collaborative learning environment. By the end of this session, IT Leaders will have the knowledge and tools necessary to evaluate, plan, and implement hybrid cloud solutions that align with their organization’s goals, including sustainability. Afterall, Hitachi is committed to providing solutions that are exclusively carbon-neutral or zero-carbon, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach.

[1 CPE] Transforming Networks: Harnessing AI and ML for Optimal Performance

  Presented by Pine Cove Consulting & Ruckus

In today’s digitally interconnected world, networks play a critical role in ensuring seamless communication and data transfer. However, network performance and reliability can often be challenging to maintain. Each year, we see an increased number of devices added to our networks along with more use of high-bandwidth applications. IT teams often lack the tools to ensure required network service levels in an environment of ever-increasing user connectivity demands and network complexity. This presentation aims to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques in overcoming these challenges.

The presentation will delve into various strategies and technologies that can help organizations improve their network performance. We will discuss proactive approaches to troubleshoot network issues before they escalate, saving valuable time and resources. By leveraging AI-powered tools and techniques, attendees will learn how to gain quick yet in-depth insights into their network’s health, enabling them to identify and resolve potential bottlenecks efficiently.

This presentation will also emphasize the importance of customized data reports in network management. Attendees will discover how AI and ML tools can process vast amounts of network data, providing valuable information tailored to their specific needs. This capability allows network administrators to make informed decisions and optimize network performance based on relevant metrics and key performance indicators.

Additionally, cloud radio resource management (CRRM) will be explored to address co-channel interference—a common problem in wireless networks. We will shed light on how CRRM leverages AI and ML to intelligently allocate and manage radio resources via algorithms, mitigating interference and enhancing overall network performance. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of this approach and its potential to revolutionize wireless network operations.

Overall, this presentation aims to empower network administrators and professionals with the knowledge and tools to transform their networks using AI and ML. By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, organizations can enhance network performance, ensure better reliability, and streamline their operations in the ever-evolving landscape of modern networking.

[1 CPE] Networking Deep Dive: Moving Beyond 192.16

  Presented by Pine Cove Consulting

In the world of networking, where devices and vendors multiply, IT specialists face the challenge of supporting and troubleshooting a wide array of equipment. To provide IT professionals with a comprehensive understanding of network complexities and best practices, this presentation will:

  • Highlight the impact of broadcast and multicast on network performance and strategies for efficient management
  • Discuss VLAN best practices, emphasizing the importance of segregating network traffic to enhance security and optimize performance
  • Explore the growing demand for and challenges associated with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and provide insights into effectively managing power requirements
  • Review the advantages and disadvantages of wireless connectivity compared to wired connections for specific devices and scenarios
  • Emphasize the importance of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) in network management, as well as the role of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and MAC-address tables in troubleshooting network issues
  • Examine vendor remote access as a critical aspect of network administration, addressing the challenges and best practices associated with granting remote access to external vendors for troubleshooting and support
  • Explain LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol), CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol), and LLDP-MED (Link Layer Discovery Protocol-Media Endpoint Discovery) policies, highlighting their significance in network discovery and device configuration
  • Explore the uses of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), focusing on its role in network monitoring, performance management, and device configuration
  • Discuss Syslog, both local and remote, as a valuable tool for collecting and analyzing network event logs, aiding in troubleshooting and security investigations
  • Examine the placement of cameras and access control systems on the network, and the considerations for parallel networks, to ensure optimal security and performance
  • Acknowledge the challenges of implementing Voice over IP (VoIP) systems, highlighting the complexities, and emphasizing the importance of proper planning and configuration

By delving into these topics, this presentation equips IT professionals with valuable insights and practical knowledge for managing and troubleshooting complex networks. It aims to deepen their understanding of network intricacies, empowering them to make informed decisions and optimize network performance and security.

[1 CPE] Intune: What’s New and What’s Next

  Presented by Chris McDuffie, Vice President of Cloud Architecture • Structured

Microsoft Intune is quickly becoming a strategic part of not only device management, but compliance and security as well. Structured will cover what’s new and how Intune will impact your Windows PC strategy management.

[1 CPE] Panel: Retaining Your IT Staff in Montana, Can it Be Done?

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

“The other company is offering higher wages. I get to work remotely as much as I want, and I am getting a four-day workweek. Sorry, but I must take it.” Have you heard this just a few times? So many IT hiring managers are having to find creative ways to keep staff members in-house. While budgets and major company overhauls can’t always be achieved, some methods can help.

Montana has some of the most unique challenges in the country for retaining staff. Join the INTERFACE Advisory Council for an open conversation on how to keep your Montana IT staff intact. This panel features local area IT hiring managers and leaders that deal with these challenges in their shops. Bring your questions as there will be an opportunity to get advice on the needs you have.

Panelists

  • Jerry Rapp, Chief Information Officer, Town Pump
  • Kyle Rholl, Vice President, Information Technology, Clearwater Credit Union
  • Ryan Schoppe, Director, Information Technology One Health
  • Fred Wiegand, Director, Information Security, Stockman Bank of Montana

[1 CPE] Seeing Your Attack Surface Through the Eyes of an Adversary

  Presented by Palo Alto Networks

Modern attack surfaces are dynamic. Without clear visibility that is constantly updated, it is all too easy to have persistent exposures and unmanaged assets. Security practitioners can only be as good as the data they have, so having a strong foundation of continuous discovery and monitoring ensures you can keep up with modern, dynamic attack surfaces to find, prioritize, and mitigate exposures as they arise.