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OCCoE Project Partner Rich Rader Awarded Public Service Recognition for Cybersecurity Work with Tribes in Oregon

Rich was recognized for his service and dedication to tribal cyber resilience at the recent Hatfield School of Government Public Service Recognition event. Rich is a core team member of an OCCoE driven HECC Workforce Ready grant for tribal cybersecurity education. He also serves on the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council representing tribes in Oregon, founded and actively contributes to the Tribal ISAC, and has provided exemplary service as the Chief Technology Officer at Umpqua Indian Development Corporation and Seven Feathers Casino and Resort since October 2011. Rich is a resolute advocate for tribes, education and improving cyber safety in his communities.

It was no surprise Rich was formally recognized for his service. Individuals awarded this recognition were nominated by each unit within the Hatfield School of Government for their notable contributions to public service. They held a panel discussion highlighting their perspectives on public service and how they contribute as "community game changers." OCCoE is proud to work alongside Rich in his dedication to serving tribes in Oregon and looks forward to future projects to come! 

8 Cyber Camps this Summer for Middle and High Schoolers + Guest Speakers Needed for 3 Camps

NW Cyber Camp helps prepare the future cybersecurity workforce by introducing Oregon middle and high school students to jobs in the sector through weeklong summer camps designed to build skills and interest in cybersecurity careers.

Enroll your student now, or share with family, friends, and colleagues who may have an interested student! 

nwcybercamp.org

NW Cyber Camp is also seeking guest speakers from industry and public sector!

Speakers are needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 11am & 1pm at the following camps:  

Please reach out to nwcybercamp@pdx.edu if you are interested in speaking.

DUCKS Cyber Challenge Awards Top HS Team with Hack The Box Licenses

This statewide competition, supported by University of Oregon, OCCoE, and the NICE Project, took place asynchronously May 27-29. Twenty-nine participants representing 8 different high schools and 10 different teams attempted to solve Hack The Box challenges. Members of the top team from West Albany High will receive valuable Hack The Box licenses so they can continue to practice their cyber skills on their own.

OCCoE Leadership Partners to Speak at City Club of Eugene 6/5 

This panel features leaders affiliated with the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCoE), including representatives from the University of Oregon, the City of Eugene, and the Lane Council of Governments. The panel will discuss the growing impact of cyber threats on Oregon communities, lessons from recent incidents across the state, and collaborative efforts to strengthen cybersecurity resilience.

Speakers will highlight OCCoE’s mission and statewide initiatives, including education and workforce programs, community outreach, and partnerships that support local governments and public institutions. The discussion will also showcase practical cybersecurity efforts currently underway within the City of Eugene and regional government organizations serving Lane County communities.

OCCoE in Cybersecurity Panel at Link Oregon Member Meeting 6/23

OCCoE Associate Director Dr. Reza Rejaie will join the Cybersecurity Panel at this year's Link Oregon Member Meeting. Link Oregon is a non-profit organization that provides high-speed, fiber-optic broadband connectivity to the Oregon's public and non-profit sectors. Link Oregon's members make up the same audience OCCoE was created to serve, naturally inducing a partnership of sharing information and helpful resources that support Oregon's communities in the world of cyber. 

ORTSOC Year in Review - More Students, More Space, More Services

OSU's longstanding Cybersecurity Teaching Hospital™, ORTSOC, has made strides over the last year with expansion of space, capacity, and programming to better serve more Oregon organizations while training Oregon's future cybersecurity professionals. 

This year, ORTSOC saw a 190% increase in student enrollment (from 31 to 90!) and bumped up to serving 21 clients, adding 4 higher education institutions, 1 not-for-profit homeless shelter, and 1 not-for-profit K-8 school.

With this expansion, ORTSOC performed 11 penetration tests, 11 assessments and managed over 1 million security alerts for their clients.  As ORTSOC students help protect organizations from cyber incidents, they gain real-world, professional experience that gives them insight and edge within their exploration for career paths in the field. 

As ORTSOC continues to grow, students will keep advancing their skills with more AI engagement, and clients will move to a fee-based consortium model to help maintain and strengthen the program. The ORTSOC team is excited for what the future holds, including online programming that will only allow for more expansion and better services for Oregon's organizations that need it the most.