SHARON, Pa. — Penn State Shenango along with the LindenPointe Development Corporation’s Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center (PCC), have partnered to host the 2025 Cybersecurity Summit on Wednesday, March 19, in the Shenango Auditorium.
Local and regional industry professionals and students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The inaugural summit features two panel discussions from cybersecurity professionals representing organizations such as the U.S. military, FBI, Erie Insurance, Primary Health Network, and others. Both panels will focus on the current state of cybersecurity nationally and regionally, as well as current and expected challenges the industry is facing and how to mitigate those threats. Additionally, networking and idea sharing opportunities will be available.
Penn State Shenango Program Coordinator of Information Technology Matthew DeMaria and Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Dima Rabadi will moderate the panel discussions.
“With the constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, it is important for us to work regionally and facilitate conversations that we can all learn and benefit from,” said Carey McDougall, regional chancellor of Penn State Beaver and Penn State Shenango. “We’re excited to partner with the PCC to bring this collection of industry experts to campus as a resource that benefits all of us.”
The PCC, in partnership with Penn State Shenango’s Continuing Education, delivers fully virtual computer science and cybersecurity training programs to local high school and college students, as well as adult learners in the region. Through a recent $1.15 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, the PCC aims to expand throughout the commonwealth to develop and deliver new programs and initiatives.
In September 2024, Harry Coker Jr., the White House national cyber director under the Biden administration, visited the PCC to discuss the need to think locally and regionally to develop a homegrown workforce combating cybersecurity threats.
“This inaugural summit supports our mission to expand cybersecurity education and literacy across the Shenango Valley in partnership with Penn State Shenango,” said Bradley Calleja, executive director of the LindenPointe Development Corporation. “It’s increasingly difficult to find a company that hasn’t been impacted by a cyberattack. This event will help community members better understand the associated risks and give students a valuable opportunity to explore the rapidly growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.”
Those interested in attending may register online for free. Attendee check-in begins at 8 a.m. the day of the event, and the Cybersecurity Summit programming is expected to end at noon.
Along with Penn State Shenango and the PCC, this inaugural event is sponsored by Pelican3 IT Consulting LLC, based in Poland, Ohio, and Sharon Tube Co., a division of Zekelman Industries, located in Farrell.
Penn State Shenango is located at 147 Shenango Avenue in downtown Sharon. The Shenango Auditorium entrance can be accessed along Shenango Avenue. All campus parking lots are available for guest parking. Visit the campus map for parking information.
