CHARLESTON, W.Va – Cybersecurity is the focus in Capital City this weekend, with “Charleston Zero Day” returning to the University of Charleston for two days of discussion on the biggest topics in the industry.
The conference’s name comes from “zero-day vulnerability,” a concept in cybersecurity that organizers want to give more awareness.
“It’s a vulnerability that nobody knows exists until it’s presented and actually attacked, so that’s what we’re trying to do with the presentation. We’re trying to make everybody aware of things that they may have never even heard before,” Charleston Zero President Dr. Adam Beatty said.
Charleston Zero Day brings experts and visitors from around the country together for a slate of speakers headlined by West Virginia National Guard Brigadier General Patrick D. Chard. Beatty, who also serves as director of Cyber Security Programs at UC, believes Charleston is the ideal location to hold this kind of event.
“We have all the interstates to where everyone can congregate in Charleston, and we also have the online auction for people who also want to attend virtually as well. We want to bring more cyberawareness to Charleston, and we have a great slew of speakers beginning tomorrow and on Saturday as well,” he said.
This weekend’s schedule includes conversations on topics like cybersecurity warfare, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and more. Several panels are part of the slate as well, with one focusing on women in tech.
“In one time, it could have been perceived 20 years ago that this field was predominantly male, but we want everyone to know that there is a female presence and has been a female presence, not just in cybersecurity as a technical aspect but also in leadership,” Beatty said.
The conference is also designed to connect industry leaders with young talent making their way up in the world. Beatty said it’s all hands on deck for the future of cybersecurity in West Virginia and beyond.
“Whether you’re already in the industry or wanting to be in the industry, you’re needed, and we need that in West Virginia. We need it everywhere, to be honest, but we want West Virginians to be more aware that we need it here in Charleston and the surrounding areas as well,” he said.
A full schedule of events and ticket information is available at charlestonzeroday.com.