USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors Podcast

Max Taggett, Senior Principal Analyst of Endpoint Security for Gartner discuss how he went from a career in the U.S. Army as a translator to cybersecurity. Other topics discussed include USM's Cybersecurity Masters Degree, advice for veterans, and the cybersecurity workforce shortage.

Ben Yardley is a Senior Attorney at the State of Maine’s Bureau of Insurance. The ambassadors discuss his work with the Bureau of Insurance and cyber legislation in Maine. If you are interested in cyber laws and policies, you should listen to this episode!

Mark Monnin, Lecturer and Department Head of the Department of Technology at the University of Southern Maine, gives his thoughts about the much debated topic of whether it is worth more to have a degree or certifications in the technology field with the ambassadors. Mark also shares what it is like being a Department Head and how he helps keep the degree programs up to date in a field that is con...

Nate Jalbert, Cyber Security Instructor at Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS), talks about how his program makes his high school students prepared for the cybersecurity workforce. Nate also discusses what it is like creating the curriculum for his students, certifications, and more!

The ambassadors had the opportunity to discuss protecting businesses from cyber attacks with Rob Simopoulos, Co-Founder of Defendify. Other topics discussed in this episode include entrepreneurship, why start a business in Maine, and more! 

Ben Strout, Manager of Penetration at Trinity Health and Founder of DC207, discusses the importance of penetration testing with the ambassadors. Ben also talks about DC207 and what it is like being a manager in an industry with a worker shortage. 

In this episode, we had the opportunity to discuss cybersecurity topics with Senator Angus King. Senator King answers our questions about the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and how disinformation affects American democracy. 

For this episode, the ambassadors talk with Chris Saucier, the Director of Research Alliance Development for the Roux Institute at Northeastern University. Chris discusses his military background, his role at the Roux Institute, and more!

John Forker, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the University of Maine System, discusses with the ambassadors what it is like being a CISO, his background, and the rise of attacks on education systems. 

The ambassadors discuss the important topic of ethical hacking with Ashley Hayes, Lecturer at the University of Southern Maine. If you are interested in ethical hacking or have never even heard of it before, this episode is a must-listen to.

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Ambassadors Podcast, we sit down with Zachary Leavitt, one of our Graduate Assistants for the program. We discuss Zach's cybersecurity journey, what it is like being a Graduate Assistant, and more!

For our first episode, the ambassadors sit down with Dr. Lori Sussman, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Maine and Faculty Advisor for the program. Dr. Sussman discusses the program, its benefits to the community and students, and more!