PISCES podcast

The PISCES program at Green River College trains students in cybersecurity and networking to defend against hackers and online threats. It focuses on threat detection through partnerships with local government jurisdictions, collecting network metadata and intrusion detection alerts for analysis. Students gain real job experience and access to job and internship opportunities. The program is supported by volunteer efforts and the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring its long-term sustainability. PISCES plays a vital role in securing communities and safeguarding digital infrastructure. For more information, visit pisces-intl.org. In an ever-advancing technical world, have you ever thought about how students are getting prepared to defend against hackers and other online threats? My name is Matthew Fairbanks, a student at Green River College, working through my bachelor's in cybersecurity and networking. The topic of today's discussion involves the security operations and forensics course within the bachelor program, focusing on a threat detection project overseen by public infrastructure security cyber education system, or PISCES program. So cyber threats are evolving rapidly, posing a significant challenge to businesses and communities alike. PISCES addresses this challenge by training entry-level cyber analysts, providing much needed expertise to protect our digital infrastructure. Through collaboration between universities and communities, PISCES gives students at Green River the opportunity to gain real job experience. How does it do that? Well, PISCES operates through partnerships with regional local government jurisdictions. And these partnerships allow for a collection of vital network metadata. And metadata is just data that describes other data. Data and intrusion detection alerts, which are then transmitted to the Washington State academic cyber range for analysis. So PISCES equips students with the skills to analyze large volumes of live data, detect irregularities and identify potential threats. These students are prepared for a wide range of job roles across various industries, making them valuable assets in the ever-changing landscape that is cybersecurity. One of the key aspects of PISCES is its focus on supporting students in their journey towards becoming cybersecurity professionals. Through the program, students gain access to job and internship opportunities, job postings and just direct introductions to potential employers. The benefits of participating in PISCES are numerous. Students gain a competitive edge in the job market, companies gain access to well-trained employees and universities strengthen their academic programs. It's a win-win situation that fosters collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity education. And PISCES is not just a short-term solution for fostering a new talent, but it's a sustainable initiative supported by volunteer efforts and the Department of Homeland Security, directly funded. As the program grows, partnerships with hiring organizations will ensure its continued success. And a dedicated team is already working to ensure the long-term sustainability of PISCES. So, as we wrap up, it's clear that PISCES plays a vital role in securing our communities against cyber threats by training the next generation of cyber professionals and providing essential cybersecurity services to communities. PISCES is making a tangible difference in safeguarding our digital infrastructure. If you want to learn more about PISCES and how they operate, just visit pisces-intl.org. Thank you.