Local and regional industries will come together as part of the University of Nevada, Reno's inaugural cybersecurity conference from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 2 in the Joe Crowley Student Union. Participants will discuss ways to tackle the growing challenges in cybersecurity through building a collaborative and synergistic relationship between industries and academia.

The cybersecurity conference will bring in security experts to discuss ways to solve issues around cybersecurity and its enormous implications for economic development in Nevada, including industries such as aerospace and defense, banking, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing and online gaming.

"The event will showcase products, engage with the community, promote communication, build partnership opportunities and provide greater insight for students," Shamik Sengupta, associate professor in the College of Engineering, the executive director of Cybersecurity Center and conference organizer, said. "It's critical to increase awareness among tomorrow's leaders by involving them with the best cybersecurity thinkers in our region."

Sengupta said that cybersecurity has important implications for the power grid, as well as for the ever-growing tech presence in Nevada.

The event will open with breakfast in the Milt Glick Ballroom, followed by two keynote addresses, four panels on cybersecurity topics, industry showcases, an evening social, and capture the flag.

Keynote speakers are Mridul Gautam, Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Nevada, Reno, and Greg Brower, Attorney and Partner in the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck law firm. Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada and FBI Assistant Director.

Renowned cybersecurity experts from various industries and the University of Nevada, Reno will be speaking in these four panels:

1. Vulnerability analysis and penetration testing
2. Society of Women Engineers in cybersecurity
3. Cybersecurity in critical infrastructure
4. Legal and interdisciplinary aspects in cybersecurity

The event is free to all attendees, and various sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information, contact cybersecurityconference@cse.unr.edu.
Registration is mandatory for attendance. Please register at https://www.unr.edu/cybersecurity/conference by March 26 if you plan to attend. Various sponsorship opportunities are available that will enable you to promote your brand while supporting the conference.

The University of Nevada, Reno Cybersecurity Center mission is to master the challenge of cybersecurity by bringing together cross-disciplinary teams to work in synchrony, examining each problem through disciplinary lenses and seeking solutions that incorporate societal, technical, ethical, political and economic considerations.