Cybersecurity Symposium Spring 2025
April 16, 2025 | Starts at 8:30am
Welcome to PBSC's Cybersecurity Symposium hosted by our Business and Computer Science Department & our student-run Ethical Hackers Club. The Symposium includes Cybersecurity & AI seminars, workshops and trainings, cyber-challenge competitions, and panel discussions. We are working in partnership with our cybersecurity industry partners, campus clubs, and other colleges, and universities to bring together computer science, IT, AI, networking, cyber-security students, ethical hackers, faculty, industry speakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners to engage in this one-day immersive learning experience that will benefit all participants.
Palm Beach State College is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD)
This event will be in person and live streamed. Registration is required.
Livestream
Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation with the meeting link.
Event Information
Featuring:
- Cybersecurity Industry Speakers
- Student Cyber Defense & Ethical Hacking Demonstration
- PBSC Cybersecurity Academic Program Review
Activities:
- CyberRange, HackTheBox & CyberHUB Platform Demonstrations
- Cybersecurity Presentations
- CyberChallenge Competitions
- National CyberLeague (NCL) Activities
Day Session
- 8:30 a.m. — Welcome & Introductions
- 9 a.m. — Linux Fundamentals Workshop
- "Setting Up a Virtual CyberLab Environment for Optimal Exploration" by Professor Iwin Ross, PBSC
- “Command Line Exploration and Navigating Fedora and Kali Linux" by Professor Iwin Ross, PBSC, & Linux Researchers
- 10 a.m. — NCL National CyberLeague Demonstration by EHC Cyberforce Team
- 11 a.m. — "Rehearsing Your Future - Networking & Career Preparation" by Professor Hector Hernandez, PBSC
- Noon — "Ethical Use of AI & Bias in AI" workshop by Lisa Seymour, PBSC
- 12:30 p.m. — Special Panel Discussion "AI and Education Impact: Best Practices for
Remaining a High Performing Student & the Proper Use of AI – Preparing for Career
Success"
- Hosted by: Professor Michelle McCrae, PBSC AI Department Chair
- Kevin Parker, former FBI agent
- Dr. Natalie Johnson, CyberMinds Research Institute
- Lisa Seymour, PBSC
- Janet Naughton, PBSC
- 1 p.m. — "DigitalCitizenship & Social Engineering: Social Media Management & Social Dilemma - Protecting Your Digital Footprint" by Industry Professional & CyberForce Team
- 2 p.m. — "Password Cracking & Password Management" by EHC Cyberforce Team
- 2:30 p.m. — "Network Sniffing, Encryption and Cryptography Techniques" by EHC CyberForce Team & Marwan Abdulmalek
- 3 p.m. — "Cybersecurity & Online Communication APPs & Successful Interactions in Cybersecurity Era" by CyberForce Team
Evening Session
- 5 p.m. — Meet & Greet
- 5:30 p.m. — Welcome & Introductions
- 6 p.m. — CyberRanges Platform demo
- 6:30 p.m. — "Building and Using Successful Virtual Environments & Honeypot" (RubberDucky, Flipper 0, Virtual Box) by Abhi Saini, President Bearium Networks
- 6:45 p.m. — "Android Remote Access Tool & Control" by Marwan Abdulmalek
- 7 p.m. — “National CyberLeague NCL Platform Demonstration” by Justin Wan & Abhi Saini, EHC Alumni
- 7:30 p.m. — "The AI-Driven Evolution of Personal Branding: A New Era for Digital Influence" by Grant McGaugh (virtual)
- 8 p.m. — "Harnessing AI & Cybersecurity" by Ezz Tahoun
- 8:30 p.m. — CIO & CISO Panel Discussion: A Day In The Life of Real World Cybersecurity
Professional
- Hosted by: Professor Michelle McCrae, PBSCAI Department Chair
- Andy Jadoo, CIO, Town of Palm Beach
- Russell Muniz, City of Southwest Ranches
- Dr. Roxanne Valies, Cyber Consultant
David Pearce, CYBER RANGES Sales Director
Website: cyberranges.com | Email: d.pearce@cyberranges.com
David Pearce is a Sales Director at CYBER RANGES based in Stafford, Virginia. David is a distinguished professional with nearly a decade of expertise in cybersecurity training and workforce development. He has successfully led the development and implementation of comprehensive, multi-year training programs for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, universities, and military organizations worldwide.
Currently, David serves as the Head of Sales Engineering at CYBER RANGES Corp., where he oversees a globally recognized, award-winning, and scalable cybersecurity training platform. This platform integrates adaptive principles with interactive, deep-dive challenges to rigorously assess user competencies across high-fidelity IT/OT infrastructures, accommodating both individual trainees and competitive team settings. David resides in Alexandria, VA, with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Bennie.
CYBER RANGES by Silensec is the globally recognized next-generation software platform for developing cyber capabilities through continuous, deep user interaction. With an experienced team, a robust technology set-up, and an ever-improving platform, the CYBER RANGES vision is to be the cyber range of choice for realistic, hands-on cybersecurity competency, capability, and resilience development. CYBER RANGES provides its customers with a suite of tools that deliver highly realistic scenarios and increase the precision, variety and interactivity of training and cyber exercises. The CYBER RANGES platform performs live simulations of real IT (Information Technology) or OT (Operational Technology) environments and helps cyber professionals progress in crisis situations such as intrusion detection, network protection or incident response. CYBER RANGES also facilitates the testing of new products or configurations, as well as the development of more advanced security systems to combat cyberattacks.
Abhi Saini, Owner & President of Bearium Networks
Website: bearium.net | Email: Abhi@bearium.net
Abhi is currently the Owner and President of Bearium Networks, a Managed IT and Cybersecurity provider in Orlando, FL. Bearium Networks is a boutique IT service provider that takes a holistic view of technology. As technology consultants, they assess needs, recommend solutions, and provide ongoing support to ensure your success. They are built for today’s distributed workforce, using advanced remote management tools to provide fast and efficient support no matter where the team is located. They don’t just want to fix computers; they want to help businesses use technology as efficiently as possible.
Abhi's career has been marked by a steady progression of increasingly responsible roles. He began his career in hands-on technical roles, providing support to end-users and managing IT infrastructure. As he gained experience, he moved into leadership positions, where he was responsible for developing and implementing IT strategies, managing budgets, and leading teams.
Throughout his career, Abhi has demonstrated a strong ability to identify and solve business problems using technology. He is also a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve customer experiences and the importance of continuous learning and development.
Outside of work, Abhi is the Florida State Coordinator for the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center and a board member of his HOA. He is also an avid runner and cyclist who is currently raising money to support the NMDP and running in the 2025 run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend this April.
Lisa Seymour, Librarian/Associate Professor, Palm Beach State College
Email: seymourl@pbsc.edu
Lisa Seymour is an accomplished Librarian and Associate Professor at Palm Beach State College, specializing in research and the ethical implications of AI. With a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida (2022) and a BA in Political Science and Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1992), she brings a wealth of experience to her role. She is currently pursuing an EdD in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis on Educational Technology at the University of Florida. She is a frequent presenter at conferences across Florida and shares her expertise on research methods and AI ethics. Her recent publication, "AI vs. Academia: Is the Research Paper Doomed?" in the Spring 2024 edition of Florida Libraries journal, highlights her thought leadership in this evolving field. Lisa resides in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband, Brian, and their sons, David and Jacob.
Grant McGaugh, CEO of 5 STAR BDM
Website: 5starbdm.com | Email: Grant.mcgaugh@5starbdm.com
Grant McGaugh stands at the forefront of technology and branding innovation, seamlessly integrating digital transformation with strategic brand development. As the visionary CEO of 5 STAR BDM and the dynamic host of the Follow the Brand podcast, Grant has carved a niche in empowering professionals and organizations to harness the power of personal branding and technological advancement.
With a robust background in electronics and over two decades of experience in business development, Grant has been instrumental in guiding entrepreneurs, healthcare leaders, and executives through the complexities of the digital landscape. His proprietary BRAVE framework—emphasizing Branding, Resilience, Authenticity, Vision, and Excellence—has become a cornerstone for clients aiming to elevate their professional presence and drive impactful growth.
Under Grant's leadership, 5 STAR BDM has emerged as a premier consultancy, offering AI-enhanced strategies and a vast network of over 20,000 professionals to accelerate clients' market reach and brand authority. His innovative approach has not only transformed individual careers but has also led to significant organizational advancements, such as a 40% reduction in patient infections for a healthcare startup through strategic brand transformation.
Recognized globally, Grant was named among the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Personal Branding by Thinkers360 in 2024 and ranked as a Top Global Branding Guru in 2025. His insights continue to shape the future of branding, making him a sought-after speaker and consultant for those looking to navigate and lead in today’s digital era.
Through his podcast, writings, and strategic initiatives, Grant McGaugh remains dedicated to inspiring and equipping professionals to build authentic, influential brands that resonate in an ever-evolving technological world.
At 5 STAR BDM, we don’t just elevate brands; we forge industry icons. Our mission is to amplify your business and personal brand through dynamic, AI-enhanced strategies and an elite professional network of 20,000+ experts. This powerful network accelerates your speed to market and connects you with unparalleled growth opportunities. We offer clients a guarantee: if you’re ready to lead, we’ll position your brand to set the industry standard.
Kevin Parker, Blacksuit Consulting
Website: blacksuitconsulting.com
Kevin Parker is the Principal at Blacksuit Consulting and a retired FBI Special Agent. As the lead agent for computer intrusion and counterintelligence investigations, he investigated state sponsored and financially motivated criminal threat actors for over twenty years.
As a member of the FBI Cyber Action Team, Kevin was part of a group of FBI cyber experts deployed to provide incident response on major computer intrusions. He also served over ten years as a photographer and Team Leader on the FBI Evidence Response Team. He collected physical and digital evidence, arrested numerous subjects, and provided actionable intelligence to enhance FBI investigations.
Kevin also served for several years as a liaison to the private sector and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) in roles such as FBI Infragard and Strategic Partnership Coordinator. In these positions, he promoted cybersecurity awareness, counterintelligence awareness and best practices to safeguard America's data from advanced threats.
At Blacksuit Consulting, Kevin provides cybersecurity and private investigation services with a specialty of online investigations.
Dedicated to continuous education, Kevin holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, the ISACA Certified Information Security Manager certification and the Cloud Security Alliance Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). Kevin also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
Blacksuit Consulting is dedicated to protecting organizations and individuals from evolving threats, empowering them to securely navigate the digital world. Blacksuit Consulting provides comprehensive cyber security, risk intelligence, and privacy solutions.
We deliver cutting-edge technologies, innovative strategies, and expert guidance to anticipate, detect, and mitigate cyber threats. Our holistic approach to security encompasses robust risk assessment, proactive threat intelligence, and state-of-the-art privacy solutions.
Andy Jadoo, CIO & IT Director, Town of Palm Beach
Andy Jadoo is a distinguished Information Technology executive with over 26 years of strategic leadership and unique experience. He has a track record of driving innovation and operational excellence across various industries, including public administration, finance, bioplastics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals,software sales, and IT services. Renowned for his dynamic leadership style, Andy has consistently demonstrated the ability to align technology solutions with business objectives. He excels at developing and leading high-performing teams while adeptly managing complex projects, fostering organizational growth and synergy.
Andy’s philosophy is that it is his job to provide the people he supports with the tools, technology, training, and solutions to help them excel at their jobs. He views issues through the lens of technology and process analysis, identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness with a visionary approach to solving problems. Utilizing adaptive communication styles and methods, he presents clear and precise information to stakeholders at all levels.
Andy’s technological and business acumen enables him to bring unique, holistic solutions to complex problems. He has consistently delivered exceptional results, enhancing strategic evolution, improving service delivery, and driving organizational growth.
Andy has transformed IT departments into valued business partners by overseeing critical projects such as ERP upgrades and system optimization, cloud computing and migration, data center upgrades and management, implementing robust cybersecurity measures, and improving customer service. Throughout his career, he has emphasized building strong relationships with executives, employees, and strategic partners while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
Andy holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management from Bemidji State University, an Associate's Degree in Electronics Technology from Dunwoody College of Technology, and several certifications, including Certified Government Chief Information Officer from Florida State University and Certified Scrum Master. These credentials, combined with his perspicacity and extensive professional experience across diverse industries, positions Andy as a highly qualified speaker ready to contribute to the strategic oversight and technological advancement of organizations.
Ezz Tahoun, Cyber-security data scientist
Company Website: cypienta.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ezzeldinadel
Ezz Tahoun, a distinguished cyber-security data scientist, who won AI & innovation awards at Yale, Princeton and Northwestern. He also got innovation awards from Canada’s Communications Security Establishment, Microsoft US, Trustwave US, PIA US, NATO, and more. He keynoted & spoke at Blackhat, Defcon, & s4 among many other conferences. He ran data science innovation programs and projects for OrangeCyber Defense, Forescout Technologies, Royal bank of Canada, Governments, and Huawei Technologies US. He has published 20 papers, countless articles and 15 open source projects in the domain.
When he was 19 years old, Ezz started his CS PhD in one of the top 5 labs in the world for cyber & AI, in the prestigious University of Waterloo, where he published numerous papers and became a reviewer for top conferences. His designations include: SANS/GIAC-Advisory-Board, aCCISO, CISM, CRISC, GCIH, GFACT, GSEC, CEH, GCP-Professional-Cloud-Architect, PMP, BENG and MMATH. He was an adjunct professor of Cyber Defense and Warfare at Toronto’s School of Management.
Cypienta helps you connect the dots, contextualize your data with business knowledge, and correlate all of your alerts & events in real-time. Complementing and improving your SIEM, SOAR, Data Lake, or XDR experience, while giving your analysts control to tune explainable models, and your hunters the productivity boost they need. Cypienta makes tunable & explainable on-prem scalable correlation and contextualization models to analyze ALL of your multi-source logs, events and alerts revealing a few clustered attack steps, & fewer correlated attack killchains, usually hidden forever in the noise of false positives and lone incidents.
Dr. Natalie Foster Johnson
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nataliefosterjohnson/
vCISO, Trainer, Researcher, Cyber InfoSec and Privacy Advocate, Cyber Resilience Consultant, Community Volunteer, Mother, Girl Scout, Sister, Daughter, Auntie, and Friend; Truly Blessed & Highly Favored.
Exceptional collaborator with the ability to secure stakeholder trust. Certified information system manager, project and change management professional who helps transform business goals into measurable results. Highly successful in building relationships with upper-level decision makers, seizing control of critical problem areas, and delivering on customer commitments. Customer-focused and performance-driven. The goal is to inspire, manage, motivate, and mobilize to create positive change.
Interested in becoming a presenter for the event?
Fill out our online interest form and someone from the Cybersecurity Symposium team will be in touch.
