The FISSEA Forums
The FISSEA Forums are quarterly meetings to provide opportunities for policy and programmatic updates, the exchange of best practices, and discussion and engagement among members of the Federal Information Security Educators (FISSEA) community. This forum took place on February 11, 2025.
Annual Theme
Collaborative Cybersecurity: Building a Community of Awareness and Action
AGENDA
1:00pm – 1:05pm
Welcoming Remarks
Frauke Steinmeier, FISSEA Co-chair
Marian Merritt, Deputy Director, NICE
1:05pm – 1:40pm
Featured Presentation
Dr. Sandra Scott-Hayward, Director, QUB Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE)
EXCITE (Exploring the Enhancement of Cybersecurity Training Through Immersive Technology)
The Queen’s University Belfast EXCITE (EXploring the enhancement of Cyber security training through Immersive Technology) project explores the potential to increase the efficacy of cyber security training for third-level students through the use of immersive experiences supported by virtual reality (VR) design.
1:40pm – 2:15pm
Supercharging the Cybersecurity Industry Through Disability Inclusion
Kirk Adams, PhD — The Apex Program
This presentation explores how disability inclusion, particularly of blind individuals, can address the critical talent shortage in cybersecurity while creating meaningful career opportunities. Drawing from personal experience as a blind professional and former CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, Dr. Kirk Adams will showcase The APEX Program, an innovative virtual training initiative launching blind people into cybersecurity careers.
2:15pm – 2:50pm
Featured Presentation
Sanford Weinberg, Privacy Evolved: How to Teach, Train, and Thrive Amid Regulation Changes
In this session, we’ll dive into practical methods for navigating regulatory change while creating training that sticks. You’ll learn how to demystify complex laws for you and your students, encourage collaboration, and turn dry content into engaging lessons. This session is designed for anyone tasked with teaching privacy compliance in an ever-changing world, offering strategies to not only meet the moment but prepare for the future.
2:50pm – 2:55pm
Break
2:55pm – 3:25pm
Board Level Reporting
Ryan Leirvik, Neuvik.com
Executives do not always have the context to know what questions to ask regarding cyber program / training effectiveness. Communicating the strength / weakness of cyber risk awareness programs becomes challenging due to various degrees of understanding. In this session we will discuss how a simplified message in an executive-consumable narrative has worked using current NIST guidance.
3:25pm – 3:55pm
Featured Presentation
Jim Wiggins – Next-Gen Cybersecurity Education: Using Generative AI to Rapidly Produce Cybersecurity Learning
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, so must our approaches to training and education. This session explores how generative AI technologies are reshaping the way we develop and deliver cybersecurity learning content, making training more accessible, adaptive, and effective. Participants will discover how AI-driven tools can streamline the creation of dynamic courses, automatically update materials in response to emerging threats, and tailor lessons to individual learner profiles, even at scale.
3:55pm – 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
Frauke Steinmeier, FISSEA Co-chair
” Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage. “
Dr. Kirk Adams, Ph.D.
Advocate, Leader and Keynote Speaker on Disability Inclusion & Leadership
Leading the Way to Accessible Innovation
Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Managing Director
Impactful Workforce Inclusion Starts Here
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