Indianapolis — WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber moderated discussion at a workforce-focused panel during the Oct. 23 Cybertech Midwest 2018 conference. The inaugural event included thought-provoking sessions and exhibitions on global cyber threats, solutions, innovations and technologies.

“Higher education plays a key role in addressing tech workforce challenges,” Barber said. “WGU is helping to create a talent pipeline for these companies’ current and future needs.”

Barber moderated a panel discussion on “The Human Factor: Securing the Cybersecurity Workforce.” Panelists included  Dr. Elke M. Leeds, WGU’s academic vice president, I.T. College; Fred Payne, Commissioner, Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development; Karlene Berger, director of product marketing, Forcepoint; Mark Loepker, senior advisor, Cyber Center for Education & Innovation (CCEI) and Home of the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) and Rodney Peterson, director of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce.

“As we look at both current and future workforce needs within tech fields, a degree is an important qualification, especially for leadership roles,” Leeds explained. “The flexibility of online education is making it possible for more contemporary students to fulfill their dream of college completion and career success.”