ST. LOUIS: On Saturday, October 11 students from Maryville University and Saint Louis University (SLU) will team up with Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) for an innovative training event aimed at addressing one of the nation’s most critical challenges: the shortage of skilled professionals trained to combat escalating cybersecurity threats.
The one-day conference, CyberStrong: Building the Cybersecurity Workforce of the Future, is open to all genders and will bring students from both universities together in small teams to tackle a real-life cybersecurity scenario developed by government experts. Sponsored by the leading cybersecurity company CrowdStrike and facilitated by the WiCys student chapters from each university, the event will provide a unique hands-on experience and professional growth opportunity for students.
This high-impact collaboration will also feature 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.
Closing the cybersecurity talent gap is considered critical to effectively defending organizations against ever-evolving cyber threats. The World Economic Forum estimates that there is a global shortage of more than 4 million cyber professionals, and a recent survey showed that women account for less than 20 percent of cybersecurity teams in the U.S.
The month of October is recognized nationally as Cybersecurity Awareness Month to spotlight the importance of taking daily action to reduce cybersecurity risks.
WHAT: | CyberStrong: Building the Cybersecurity Workforce of the Future |
WHO: | Students from Maryville and SLU WiCys chapters |
WHEN: | Saturday, October 11, 2025 10 am to 2 pm |
WHERE: | Maryville University – Donius University Center |
RSVP: | Interested media can contact cgrate@mazur-co.com. |
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University 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’s 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.
About Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s 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.