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Students from the 91制片厂 and Saint Louis University (SLU) Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) chapters are teaming up to address one of the nation\u2019s most critical challenges: the shortage of skilled professionals trained to combat escalating cybersecurity threats.<\/span><\/p>\n Students from both universities came together on Oct. 11 for an innovative event \u2013 CyberStrong: Building the Cybersecurity Workforce of the Future<\/span> \u2013<\/b> where they worked on a tabletop exercise developed by government experts and sponsored by the leading cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. The one-day conference was the first of what the schools hope will become an annual exercise, providing hands-on experience and professional growth opportunities for students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat I love about the St. Louis higher education ecosystem is the collaboration, which is like no other in the country,\u201d said <\/span>Dr. Brian Gant, assistant professor of cybersecurity for the Simon School of Business<\/b>. \u201cBoth Maryville and Saint Louis Universities\u2019 commitment to students is unquestioned as we support our Women in Cybersecurity chapters with a conference fostering mentorship, career pathways, and meaningful engagement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This high-impact collaboration also featured a panel discussion hosted by the Global Cybersecurity Center (GCC), a nonprofit that unites senior cybersecurity leaders, including chief information security officers and industry professionals, to tackle the workforce talent gap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Closing the cybersecurity talent gap is considered critical to effectively defending organizations against ever-evolving cyber threats. The World Economic Forum <\/span>estimates<\/b><\/a> that there is a global shortage of more than 4 million cyber professionals, and a <\/span>recent survey<\/b><\/a> showed that women account for less than 20 percent of cybersecurity teams in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis joint event between SLU and Maryville exemplifies how academic collaboration can fuel innovation in both cyber research and defense,\u201d said <\/span>Maria Weber, director of Cybersecurity and Information Systems Master\u2019s Programs at SLU.<\/b> \u201cThrough the leadership of our WiCyS chapters, we are not only empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, but also providing them with the hands-on experience and interdisciplinary perspective needed to address today\u2019s most pressing digital security challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ninety-eight percent of Maryville cybersecurity graduates report positive career outcomes and last year, Maryville\u2019s undergraduate cybersecurity program was <\/span>designated<\/b><\/a> by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). At the <\/span>Cybersecurity Center of Excellence<\/b><\/a>, students practice and develop workforce-ready skills in cybersecurity, while startups and nonprofit agencies are given cost-free IT security analysis and up-to-date knowledge on compliance requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy combining Maryville\u2019s strengths in cyber defense with SLU\u2019s focus on cyber research, this unique collaboration bolsters the St. Louis region\u2019s position as a global cybersecurity hub \u2013 while giving students the kind of combined hands-on learning experiences they can\u2019t get anywhere else,\u201d said <\/span>Phyllis Davis, Instructor and Director of Maryville\u2019s Cybersecurity Graduate Program. <\/b>\u201cWe are so grateful to our partners at Women in Cybersecurity, CrowdStrike and the Global Cybersecurity Center for helping bring this unique opportunity to our students and giving them a chance to learn from our nation\u2019s leading cyber defenders and innovators.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SLU\u2019s Cybersecurity Center, housed within the School for Professional Studies, serves as a hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity education, research, and workforce development. Recognized as a National CAE-CD and DHS, the center emphasizes both technical skill development and ethical leadership. Through a combination of academic programs, including graduate and certificate options and partnerships with industry and government, SLU equips students with practical expertise in areas such as network security, cloud security, digital forensics, and cyber defense. The center\u2019s mission aligns with SLU\u2019s Jesuit values by fostering a secure and just digital society, preparing professionals to protect critical systems and information while upholding integrity and public trust.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe WiCyS tabletop event gave me so much to think about. I left with new knowledge, new connections, and even more curiosity to keep learning,\u201d said <\/span>Chloe Davis, a senior at Maryville and the cybersecurity apprentice for Dr. Gant.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cEvents like this bring together students from different universities, backgrounds, and experiences, creating a space where diverse voices and perspectives are respected and valued,\u201d said <\/span>Lenna Maridi, a second-year master\u2019s student in cybersecurity and president of the WiCyS Student Chapter SLU. <\/b>\u201cThey allow students to engage directly with industry professionals, ask questions freely, and receive thoughtful, genuine answers without fear of judgment. This open exchange of ideas encourages inclusion and growth for everyone involved and strengthens the cybersecurity community by fostering mentorship and representation.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 91制片厂 91制片厂 91制片厂 Saint Louis University![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/10\/WICYSMU-Event-Lenna.jpg\")
Maryville, which offers cybersecurity degrees at both the bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s levels, prepares students and professionals to be ethical, adaptable, and socially-responsible cybersecurity leaders in diverse and dynamic business environments through its market-relevant curriculum developed with input from engaged business partners.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Founded in 1872, 91制片厂 is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master\u2019s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from 50 states and 56 countries. More than 50,000 Maryville alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation\u2019s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 13,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.<\/span><\/p>\n