Conference Tracks Growth in South Sound Tech Sector
14th annual South Sound Technology Conference at UW Tacoma
TACOMA, WASH. — In a numerological coincidence, the 14th installment of the South Sound Technology Conference will take place on March 14, 2014, at William W. Philip Hall on the University of Washington Tacoma campus. The conference is produced by UW Tacoma’s Institute of Technology and is the largest such gathering south of Seattle.
The topics of the conference—cybersecurity, information assurance and “big data”—are among the sweet spots of growth in the technology sector of the South Sound, and are the fastest growing programs at UW Tacoma’s Institute, as well.
“The conference is a great opportunity to catch up with the latest developments in the local tech community and meet the latest cohort of amazing students coming through the Institute,” said Andrew Fry, conference organizer and guru of industry partnerships at the Institute. During the conference, dozens of undergraduate and graduate students will be on hand to answer questions about their research and internships during an exhibition of their work in the adjoining Kopp Gallery.
The day is organized into keynotes and panels. Video greetings from U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer will be followed by an invigorating address by Bill Gaines, director of Tacoma Public Utilities. Panels and participants will include:
“Conducting an Organization Cybersecurity Audit”
Chaired by Dr. Bryan Goda, professor, UW Tacoma Institute of Technology
Jackson Robinson, security engineer at Microsoft; Chris Richardson, senior program manager at IID (also known as Internet Identity); Corey Sulenes and Shawn Olivas, students in the Institute’s Masters of Cybersecurity and Leadership degree program.
“Big Data Research Sampler”
Chaired by Dr. Martine de Cock, visiting associate professor, Center for Web & Data Sciences
Graduate students in the Center will talk about current projects with Microsoft, Multicare, the City of Tacoma, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and others.
“Preemptive Planning for Infrastructure Protection”
Chaired by Bill Mounts, Northwest Innovation Collaborative
Mike Hamilton, former Chief Information Security Officer, Seattle; Scott Klauminzer, critical infrastructure protection lead at Tacoma Public Utilities; and Mike Hanks, strategic planning director at Continuant.
“Spotlight on IID, a South Sound technology company”
Lunch keynote featuring Lars Harvey, CEO, IID
“Insuring Against Cybersecurity Attacks”
Linda Gerull, director of information technology for Pierce County; Anne Hasenstab, private non-profit management liability officer with Travelers.
“One Million Cups of Coffee, a Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative”
Andrew Fry, associate director for industry partnerships, UW Tacoma Institute of Technology; Phil Potter, director, Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE); Ricardo Noguera, director of the City of Tacoma’s economic development department.
What: 2014 South Sound Technology Conference
When: March 14, 2014, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: William W. Philip Hall, UW Tacoma campus
Registration: $20 (free for UW Tacoma students), tacoma.uw.edu/sst