CORe Talk
The Cyber Operations and Resilience Program offers a monthly seminar series the third Thursday of every month known as CORe Talk. Over the course of the year, many different topics will be introduced to further enrich our student’s education. While our faculty are all industry professionals, so are many of our current students. Many of our students are returning to college for specific credentialing offered within our program and others. CORe Talk will highlight will enable our students the chance to learn more from not only faculty and industry professionals, but some of the current peers as well. CORe Talk will feature different speakers highlighting their journeys to professional areas, tips, and more to help better prepare our students for their cyber careers.
2024-2025 CORe Talk Series
See below for links to the upcoming CORe Talk seminars. Non-Boise State-affiliated attendees must register for the seminars using the link above to receive access to Zoom.Â
Upcoming Seminars:
November 21, 2024 at 6PM | Exploring Cybersecurity: What Internships (and Failures) Taught Me
Past Seminars:
October 17, 2024 at 6PM | From the CORE Program to a Career in Cyber Insurance | Kacey Wheeler
September 19, 2024 at 6PM | Discover the CORe Learning Lab | Kody Walker
2024-2025 Seminar Information
SEPTEMBER 19 | Discover the CORe Learning Lab
SEPTEMBER 21 | Discover the CORe Learning Lab
Seminar Abstract
Discover the innovative world of Boise State University’s CORe Learning Lab—a cutting-edge space designed to empower students and faculty with hands-on experience in cybersecurity, networking, and IT systems. This “no limits playground” is staffed by experts ready to guide and challenge you as you explore the latest in technology and research. Whether you’re a student looking to deepen your knowledge or a faculty member seeking to enrich your course content, the CORe Learning Lab offers unmatched opportunities for growth and discovery.
Join us to learn why you should make the CORe Lab your go-to resource for academic and professional development. We’ll also demonstrate a popular hack that uses the lab’s live camera feed, giving you an insider’s view of the dynamic environment where your learning journey can thrive. Interested in getting started? Simply email to apply and unlock the potential of Boise State’s premier tech hub.
Speaker Bio
Kody Walker is a retired military veteran with twenty years of service in the protection realm and three years in the Information Technology sector. He has worked for a defense contractor as a Cyber Information/Risk Analyst and Special Projects Manager. Walker holds an AAS Cyber Security, Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) Cyber Security from College of Western Idaho, BAS Cyber Operations, Cyber Operations Certificate from Boise State University, and MS Cyber Operations, from Boise State University. He currently work for the Cyber Operations and Resilience (CORe) Program at Boise State University as an Lecturer.
OCTOBER 17 | From the CORE Program to a Career in Cyber Insurance
Seminar Abstract
Cyber insurance is a very important piece of cyber risk management, but it is talked about in cybersecurity very little. A career in insurance for a cybersecurity professional can be extremely rewarding. This means being able to educate organizations that might not be as far along in their cybersecurity journey and provide the resources and backstop for organizations experiencing cyber events. Furthermore, every part of the incident response process touches the insurance coverage. The CORE program prepared Kacey for her career in cyber insurance. She’ll discuss how skills in the program directly translated to her career, what her day to day looks like, and her advice for beginning working in the industry after school.
Speaker Bio
Kacey Wheeler graduated with a BS in Cyber Operations and Resilience in 2023. While in school, she was a software development intern at a local startup and a cyber defense analyst at the Cyberdome. She also led cyber awareness training initiatives for kids, elderly, and a group of realtors. After graduating, she started her career at Marsh McLennan Agency as the cyber specialist for the Northwest. In this role, she focuses on leveraging her technical background to help organizations better understand and manage their cyber risk through tailored insurance programs.
NOVEMBER 21 | Exploring Cybersecurity: What Internships (and Failures) Taught Me
Seminar Abstract
Have you ever seen the Cybersecurity Domains Map and thought, “Wow!? How am I supposed to figure out what I want to do with my cybersecurity degree?” Yeah, me too. I want to talk to you about trying things out and documenting what you learn along the way. I’ll also share some of the lessons I’ve picked up from my successes and failures during internships and what they taught me about finding my own path in this field.
Speaker Bio
Marissa Wilson is a teenage mother and single parent. In her first semester at Boise State, she earned a 0.6 GPA in 2004 and spent more than a decade working in call centers. Today, she manages cybersecurity policies and supply chain risk for POWER Engineers. Her journey has been anything but traditional, and she’s here to tell you that there’s more than one way to build a career in cybersecurity.