UHV hosts cybersecurity conference in Katy
The University of Houston-Victoria recently hosted a conference for the Greater Houston chapter of a cybersecurity professional association at the UHV Katy instructional site.
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association Greater Houston Chapter Fall 2024 Conference was held on Oct. 25 and featured a variety of sessions that brought together leading experts and professionals from the FBI, NSA, CISA, and industry leaders to discuss critical topics in cybersecurity, AI, risk management, and emerging threats. The conference also featured an award presentation and the announcement of a scholarship opportunity for UHV students.
“This year’s conference focused on education and its impact on the future of cybersecurity,” said Daya Nand, a UHV associate professor of cybersecurity who coordinated the event. “It was a tremendous honor to be able to host the conference at UHV Katy and have the opportunity to put our students in contact with and learn from leaders in the industry.”
The ISACA is a global professional organization that focuses on helping its members grow their skills and knowledge in audit, cybersecurity, emerging tech and more, the association’s website says. The Houston area has a large, active chapter, and the conference at UHV saw about 160 members in attendance, including students and faculty from UHV.
In addition to offering networking opportunities with a large selection of industry leaders, the conference also offered presentations and panels on nation-state attacks, cybercrimes, critical infrastructure security, AI and deepfakes, IS audit, compliance, and NERC SIP. The conference provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current and future landscape of cybersecurity. The sessions featured hands-on insights from professionals working in the trenches and visionary leaders addressing the latest industry challenges and solutions.
“This conference was an invaluable experience for everyone, especially UHV’s students and faculty,” Nand said. “UHV’s cybersecurity program focuses on staying relevant with technology that is constantly changing and updating. This was a way to hear first-hand from those who work in the real world and see what they are facing every day.”
In addition to the conference programming, the chapter presented an award to Karla DeCuir, UHV interim vice president for enrollment management. The award recognized her outstanding contributions and leadership.
“It was truly an honor to receive an award by ISACA’s Greater Houston chapter, as well as to host this year’s conference,” DeCuir said. “We appreciate ISACA members’ continued support through class visits and panel discussion to help our students learn about the many career opportunities in cybersecurity.”
During the conference, the chapter also announced the creation of a micro-scholarship for UHV students, reflecting the growing support for the university's commitment to developing future cybersecurity professionals.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.