The 29th Colloquium brought together educators, researchers, industry experts, and government leaders to advance cybersecurity education in an era defined by AI and rapid technological change. This impact summary highlights the reach, participation, and collective achievements that made this year’s event one of our most engaged and successful gatherings this decade.
29th Colloquium – Impact Summary
Cybersecurity Education in the Age of AI, Automation & Ambiguity
The 29th Colloquium brought together a diverse, global community of educators, researchers, industry leaders, and government practitioners committed to strengthening cybersecurity education and workforce development. This year's event demonstrated the growing impact and reach of CISSE™ as a central forum for advancing cybersecurity teaching, research, and practice.
Participation at a Glance
Universities &
Colleges
Total
Organizations
Countries
Represented
Attendees Across
Sectors
Cross-Sector Participation
- Academia 64%
- Industry 23%
- Government 5%
- Other / Independent 7%
Role Breakdown
- 53 faculty members and academic leaders
- 44 students (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral)
- 30+ industry professionals
- Government and civic participants from multiple jurisdictions
Academic Engagement
The Colloquium™ hosted a strong academic presence, including professors, program directors, curriculum designers, and researchers from institutions across North America and abroad. Community colleges and technical institutions played a prominent role, reinforcing CISSE's commitment to building K–12, two-year, and four-year cybersecurity pathways.
Research and presentations spanned AI safety, cyber operations, digital privacy, cyber risk, legal and policy frameworks, and workforce development, providing attendees with practical, classroom-ready insights.
Industry & Government Involvement
The Colloquium™ welcomed industry and government partners who brought real-world perspectives on security operations, workforce needs, and emerging threats. Representatives joined from organizations such as:
- Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apple, Boeing, Comcast, Safe Security
- Codio, PhishCloud, and other cybersecurity innovators
- State of Washington, WA National Guard, Banco de México, City of Seattle
Why it Matters
This blend of academic rigor and practitioner expertise makes CISSE™ a unique forum bridging research, education, and real-world application in cybersecurity.
Commitment to Community Colleges
CISSE™ remains firmly committed to supporting community colleges and technical institutions as essential partners in the national cybersecurity education ecosystem. Two-year institutions play a critical role in expanding access, strengthening workforce pathways, and preparing students from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds for cybersecurity careers.
This year's Colloquium welcomed strong participation from community college faculty, program directors, and instructional leaders, highlighting the sector's ongoing leadership in curriculum innovation, hands-on training, and regional workforce development.
As other initiatives shift their focus, CISSE™ continues to provide a dedicated, national platform for community-college educators to collaborate, present research, share best practices, and influence the future of cybersecurity education. This commitment remains central to our mission and will continue to shape The Colloquium™ in the years ahead.
Program Highlights
- Paper sessions on AI in cybersecurity and cyber risk awareness
- Panels on cybersecurity education, ethics, and policy
- Sessions on workforce development and cyber pathways
- Community college–focused tracks and K–12 collaborations
- Industry panel on emerging cyber and AI trends
- Workshops on automating bug discovery and teaching resilience
- Discussions on legal, regulatory, and advocacy dimensions of cyber
Impact & Community
The 29th Colloquium reaffirmed CISSE's role as a leading convening point for cybersecurity educators and practitioners. This year's event strengthened regional and global networks, showcased innovative pedagogy and research, and expanded CISSE's reach across higher education, government, and industry. CISSE™ remains dedicated to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and ensuring that cybersecurity education keeps pace with rapid technological change.
