MS-CC Ransomware Security and Cyberinfrastructure Workshop

This workshop took place from June 22-23, 2022, on the North Carolina A&T State University campus in Greensboro, NC.

Improving your institution’s cybersecurity posture is priceless.

Ransomware attacks are increasing in size, frequency, and impact – and have a crippling effect on the institutions that experience them. Universities and colleges, in particular, are seeing an increase in ransomware attacks that disrupt their campus operations.

The Minority Serving – Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC) concluded a free two-day cybersecurity workshop from June 22-23, 2022, at the Alumni Foundation Event Center, 200 North Benbow Road, on the North Carolina A&T State University campus, in Greensboro, NC.

We’ve designed a hands-on workshop experience for IT leadership and staff from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) that provides information, tools, and resources to support improving their institution’s cybersecurity posture.

The workshop is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Cyberinfrastructure Center of Excellence Demonstration Pilot (# 2137123) awarded to the Minority Serving – Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC) and Internet2.

Have a question about the MS-CC or future workshops? Contact Emily Nichols at enichols@internet2.edu.

MS-CC Workshop Series

The MS-CC and Internet2 are planning additional workshops at HBCU and TCU campuses throughout the remainder of 2022.

If the NC A&T State University workshop is not geographically convenient for you, there will be additional workshops at Alabama A&M University, Claflin University, Salish Kootenai College*, and Jackson State University. Additional workshops at an HBCU near Washington, D.C., and other locations are under consideration.

We do hope that you’ll be able to attend one of the upcoming workshops at a location closest to your institution. Learn more about the Ransomware Security and Cyberinfrastructure Workshop series.

*The workshop at Salish Kootenai College is presented in collaboration with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).

Agenda and Presentations

	June 22, 2022
Time	Session/Event
8:30- 9:00 a.m.	Coffee & Informal Networking
9:00- 9:30 a.m.	Welcome and Kickoff -Dr. Eric Muth, Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development, North Carolina A&T State University -Tom Jackson, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Services/Chief Information Officer, North Carolina A&T State University
9:30- 9:45 a.m.	MS-CC Overview -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
9:45- 10:00 a.m.	Internet2 and the MS-CC -Ana Hunsinger, VP, Community Engagement, Internet2
10:00- 10:45 a.m.	Keynote: Ransomware: Background and Trends: -Robert Wells, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation -Brian Cyprian, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
10:45- 11:15 a.m.	NSF Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity -Kevin Thompson, Program Director, National Science Foundation
11:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.	Panel Discussion: Ransomware and Campus Experiences -Chris Beal, Vice President of Cybersecurity Initiatives and CISO, MCNC -Joey Brenn, Associate Vice President for IT, Claflin University -Tom Jackson, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Services/CIO, North Carolina A&T State University -Von Welch, Director, Trusted CI -Nick Lewis, Program Manager, Internet2 -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
12:15-12:45 p.m.	Lunch & Informal Networking
12:45- 1:30 p.m.	Keynote: It’s Not Just Where the Money is Anymore: Ransomware and Research -Von Welch, Director, Trusted CI
1:30- 2:00 p.m.	Introduction to Information Security Community -Nick Lewis, Program Manager, Internet2
2:00- 2:15 p.m.	Break
2:15- 2:30 p.m.	Introduction to Workshop -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
2:30- 4:30 p.m.	Executive and Technical Ransomware Track Topics -Incident Response for IT Management and Technical Teams -Communications -Legal Implications and Law Enforcement -IT Governance and Security -Mitigation -Future planning
4:30- 5:00 p.m.	Wrap Up, Homework Assignments, and Plan for Second Day -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
5:30 p.m.	Reflections and Planning -Marriott Greensboro Downtown, 304 North Greene Street

	June 23, 2022
8:30- 9:00 a.m.	Coffee & Informal Networking
9:00- 9:15 a.m.	Welcome -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
9:15- 10 a.m.	Keynote: Developing the Relationship Between Central IT and Faculty — Identifying the Unique Needs of CI -Tom Jackson, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Services/CIO, North Carolina A&T State University
10:00-10:30 a.m	Ransomware Detection Using Machine Learning Techniques -Nyteisha Bookert, Ph.D. Student, Human-Centered AI (HCAI) Lab, North Carolina A&T State University
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.	Break
10:45- 11:15 a.m.	Planning, Collaboration, and Engagement -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2
11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.	Campus Work Plans Development -Working Lunch
12:45- 1:45 p.m.	Group Report Outs
1:45- 2:00 p.m.	Closing -Lawrence Williams, Program Director, Internet2

Workshop Details

The workshop will include a keynote presentation, a panel discussion with cybersecurity leaders, and hands-on learning opportunities, including access to open-source security tools and documented best practices for campus infrastructure.

There will be two tracks – an executive track and a technical track – focused on improving your institution’s cybersecurity posture and knowing how to respond to ransomware attacks.

Informal networking opportunities provide you with opportunities to meet and build connections with your peers and cybersecurity professionals and leadership from regional and national non-profit organizations supporting the research and education community in the U.S.

Read 5 Reasons to Join Us at the MS-CC Ransomware Security and Cyberinfrastructure Workshops. We share the top five reasons you should join us for the ransomware security and cyberinfrastructure workshop.
The workshop will be held at the Alumni Foundation Event Center on North Carolina A&T State University’s campus, located at 200 North Benbow Road, Greensboro, NC 27411.

Should you be in need of overnight accommodations, the recommended hotels for participants within 2 miles of the workshop location are:
- Hyatt Place Greensboro/Downtown
- Marriott Greensboro Downtown
Please contact the hotels directly to inquire about their daily rates and book your reservation.
As an MS-CC participant, we will be able to reimburse reasonable travel and lodging expenses related to workshop attendance. After your registration is processed you will receive additional information via email about the expense reimbursement process.

Not an MS-CC participant? Participating in and joining our community is simple, quick, easy – and free! Fill out the form, join the mailing list, and stay informed about upcoming meetings and activities.

Participation in the MS-CC helps us create a vibrant community of practice where peers can collaborate and support one another, and build a coalition to advocate for their needs as a community.
Internet2 and the community are committed to promoting a positive environment at our events and conferences for our members and the research and education community. Our community values fair and equitable treatment of all individuals and expects our attendees to interact professionally and respectfully towards one another. Discrimination or harassment of any type, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion, is not consistent with our values and will not be tolerated.

Unacceptable behavior includes offensive comments; deliberate intimidation, stalking or unwanted attention; inappropriate physical contact; harassing, derogatory, or demeaning conduct; or other behavior that demonstrates a lack of professionalism or respect for another individual.

Participants are expected to follow these rules at all Internet2-hosted events. Participants violating these rules may be asked to leave an event without warning or a refund, at the discretion of Internet2. In some instances, such behavior may be reported to local or federal law enforcement officers. If you believe that you or someone else has been subject to these behaviors, please contact the Internet2 Ethics Hotline immediately at (877) 842-6829 or send a message via the web at www.reportlineweb.com/internet2.

Back to MS-CC Workshops