Newswise — Where is the Internet of Things taking us? Can we really protect critical infrastructure, organizations and individuals? What are the latest innovations in enterprise and mobile security, and the roles of the cloud and big data?

These and other questions fueled lively discussion and much debate at New York Institute of Technology’s (NYIT’s) annual Cybersecurity Conference, at which nearly 250 attendees gathered to gain insights from expert speakers and panelists representing industry, government, and academia.

Various speakers held differing opinions regarding the possibility of securing systems and networks; identifying sources of innovation outside of the hackers themselves; and whether cybersecurity is a policy issue, technology issue, or both. However, there was consensus on key steps to implement, including calls for information sharing as best practice, and the need to elevate the role of security to organizations’ boardrooms and to the level of a “Manhattan Project” at the national policy and research levels, as remarked by Robert Bigman, president, 2BSecure LLC.

“Security has to be moved from the hidden place in the basement to a prominent position in the organization,” said Marisa Viveros, vice president of Cyber Security Innovation at IBM. Building on this, Phyllis Schneck, Ph.D., deputy undersecretary for Cybersecurity, NPPD, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, noted in the afternoon keynote address that cybersecurity has to be considered in the risk management equation in order to get noticed in the boardroom.

NYIT President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D., imparted related guidance in his opening remarks. “Many observers suggest placing cyber professionals on the board itself, to educate others and directly shape decisions about required skill sets and related investments. It would be like adding a secretary of defense to a cabinet, and it may be inevitable,” he said.

Several speakers noted the important role that universities play in filling the need for talent required in this space, but also importantly, in helping to find actionable solutions. According to Andre McGregor, FBI New York Cyber Branch, we need to “stop doing business as usual and implement dynamic, radical solutions,” which begin in academia, he noted.

The daylong conference, held at NYIT’s Auditorium on Broadway and presented by the university’s School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, also attracted a number of high school- and college students interested in pursuing cyber careers. “Our vision to promote ‘engineering for society’ is alive through this conference and the core strengths we are building within our degrees in New York and globally, and with the help of our partner companies. That vision is combined with the rigor of our programs and the accreditations they have received,” said Nada Marie Anid, Ph.D., dean, NYIT School of Engineering and Computing Sciences.

Topics explored in afternoon panels included careers, and research and education frontiers in cybersecurity. Panelists’ comments were pointed and passionate. Howard Taylor, NSA USMA Fellow, Information Assurance Directorate, said that cybersecurity curriculum should include law, policy, and ethics courses. Gregory Conti, Ph.D., associate professor and director, Army Cyber Institute, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, noted that a master’s degree in cybersecurity should be mandatory for every student. Additionally, Felix Thomas, founder, CEO, and president of Network Security System Plus, Inc., insisted on the importance of professional certification and lifelong learning.

NYIT offers a concentration in Network Security for computer science and information technology majors in addition to a master’s program in Information, Network, and Computer Security, taught by faculty expert that have been awarded prestigious research grants in biometrics, swarm intelligence, cryptography, mobile, and cyber security. The M.S. program in Information, Network, and Computer Security is available in New York and at NYIT’s Vancouver campus; NYIT awaits approval to begin offering the program at its campus in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, NYIT’s bachelor’s degree in Computer Science has been approved by the Ministry of Education in Beijing, China.

NYIT has received formal validation for various cybersecurity course offerings from the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), an organization with representation from 21 U.S. government Executive Branch departments and agencies. The Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation program, part of the National Security Agency (NSA), validated NYIT’s courseware as meeting all the requirements of CNSS National Standards 4011 and 4013, as part of its role to ensure consistency in training and education for the information assurance skills that are critical to our nation.

About NYITNew York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers 90 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, in more than 50 fields of study, including architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions; management; and osteopathic medicine. A non-profit independent, private institution of higher education, NYIT has more than 12,000 students attending campuses on Long Island and Manhattan, online, and at its global campuses. NYIT sponsors 11 NCAA Division II programs and one Division I team.

Led by President Edward Guiliano, NYIT is guided by its mission to provide career-oriented professional education, offer access to opportunity to all qualified students, and support applications-oriented research that benefits the larger world. To date, nearly 100,000 graduates have received degrees from NYIT. For more information, visit nyit.edu.