NCCoE Cybersecurity Connections – Strengthening the Cybersecurity Workforce
The NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) is proud to host a quarterly Cybersecurity Connections event and networking lunch in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce and Montgomery County, MD.
This event will feature a keynote presentation from Jessica Gulick, CEO and Founder of Katzcy and Commissioner of the U.S. Cyber Team. Jessica will discuss how the U.S. Cyber Games is advancing cybersecurity awareness, skills development, and cyber career preparation on a global scale. The keynote will also spotlight opportunities for Maryland-based individuals and organizations to engage with and support the initiatives of the U.S. Cyber Team.
In addition, our expert panel on building a robust cybersecurity workforce will discuss topics such as the critical skills and competencies needed to succeed in today’s cybersecurity landscape, the accessibility of cybersecurity education, and what workforce challenges critical infrastructure owners and operators may face in the future. This panel will be followed by a networking lunch, generously provided by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation on behalf of Montgomery County.
This event is a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with cybersecurity professionals, and explore the exciting career opportunities in the cybersecurity field. By attending, you’ll gain valuable insights into the latest approaches to strengthening the cybersecurity workforce and network with like-minded professionals.
Secure Your Spot!
Register now to attend in-person or virtually! We look forward to connecting with you to foster collaboration and innovation in the cybersecurity community.
*Registration closes on January 7, 2026.
Agenda
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Arrival/Event Check-In
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speaker: Cherilyn Pascoe, Director, NCCoE (NIST)
Speaker: Judy Costello, Director, Economic Development Special Projects Office of the County Executive Montgomery County, Maryland
Speaker: Kimberly Mentzell, Director of Cybersecurity and Aerospace, Maryland Department of Commerce
Speaker: Davina Pruitt-Mentle, Lead for Academic Engagement, NICE (NIST)
11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. - Keynote Presentation: Scouting and Leading the National Cyber Team - Developing a World-Class Cybersecurity Workforce
Speaker: Jessica Gulick, CEO and Founder of Katzcy Play Cyber and Commissioner of the U.S. Cyber Team
11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Panel Discussion: Educating the Cybersecurity Workforce of the Future
Moderator: Miheer Khona, Senior Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance, Department of Information Technology, Office of Security Management, State of Maryland
Panelists:
- Joyce Hunter, Executive Director of Collaboration and Education, Mission Critical
- Sidd Kaza, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, Towson University
- Markus Rauschacker, Executive Director for the University of Maryland Center for Cyber, Health, and Hazard Strategies (CHHS)
- Minah Woo, VP of Workforce, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Howard Community College
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Networking lunch, provided by Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) on behalf of Montgomery County, Maryland
Speaker: Laurie Boyer Babb, CEcD, Director of Economic Development, Business Retention & Expansion, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. - Cybersecurity Safety Online/Mobile Driver’s License Identity Verification Demo (optional)
Speaker: Chris Brown, Principal Cybersecurity Engineer, NCCoE (MITRE)
Speaker: Ryan Galluzzo, Digital Identity Program Lead, NCCoE (NIST)
1:30 p.m. – Adjourn