HARRISBURG, PA — On October 1–2, Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) hosted its 2025 Cybersecurity Summit, which brought together government, education, and private-sector leaders under the theme: “Cyber Unity: One Commonwealth, One Shield — Defend, Detect, Deliver”. The hybrid event offered two days of keynotes, panels, technical sessions, and solution showcases focused on:
- Policy & strategy
- Threats & incident response
- Infrastructure & operations resilience
- Tools, tech & innovation
- Collaboration & community
More than 44 speakers and 300 professionals attended from across the Commonwealth and beyond.
“The Summit was designed to be a practical, outcome-oriented forum where practitioners leave with tools they can use right away,” said Lorelee Isbell, HU’s Vice President of Career & Professional Development. “Seeing state agencies, county leaders, school technology teams, and private-sector security architects in the same room made clear that defending our communities requires coordination at every level. We came together during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to share strategies, solve problems, and build a stronger, shared cyber posture for all of Pennsylvania. Our thanks to all who joined us – whether in person or online. Your enthusiasm makes this possible.”
Two Days, Two Keynotes
- Day 1 Keynote: “Demystifying and Delivering Zero Trust” with Andy Ritter, Jessica Hoffman, and Nate DeShong.
- Day 2 Keynote Panel: “Cyber Unity: One Commonwealth, One Shield” with Andy Ritter, Jessica Hoffman, Rita Reynolds, and John Wargo.
Other Event Highlights
- Multidisciplinary tracks addressed Policy & Strategy; Threats & Incident Response; Infrastructure & Operations; Tools, Tech & Innovation; and Collaboration & Community. Sessions were designed for IT and security leaders from government, education, and private industry.
- The Summit attracted 300 participants from across the Commonwealth and beyond, with programming intended for both technical practitioners and organizational decision-makers. The event also featured a robust sponsor presence from the cybersecurity and technology sectors, featuring demos of commercial and open-source solutions.
- Presentations and roundtables centered on rapid detection and response, secure operational technology, and supply-chain considerations for local government and school districts, plus workforce development strategies to close regional skills gaps. Several sessions highlighted project-based, academic-to-workforce partnerships: a focus for Harrisburg University’s Security Center of Excellence.
Thoughts from Presenters and Partners
“This year’s Cybersecurity Summit was proof that when we come together – counties, state agencies, school districts, and industry partners – we’re stronger,” said Heather Hiester, Director of Technology Programs & Partnerships at County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). “The sessions were dynamic, the networking was nonstop, and the energy in the room showed just how committed Pennsylvania is to working as one shield. The connections we built here will carry forward long after the summit. We’re already looking forward to next year!”
“I was honored to speak alongside Keith Hartung and Jay Stroup on the ‘Building Collaborative Communication Channels’ panel at Cybersecurity Summit 2025, moderated with skill by Michael Ney,” said Dr. Fidele Niyonzigira, CIO & CISO of Allegheny County Department of Human Services. “My biggest takeaway is that collaboration works when agencies establish clear communication roles and trusted channels. When those are in place, response times improve and blind spots close faster. Thank you to Harrisburg University, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 for hosting an event that brought together more than 300 professionals dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity across our Commonwealth.”
Thanks to Our Sponsors
The Professional Development Team at Harrisburg University thanks these sponsors for their generous support.
Continuing Education Is the Key to Cybersecurity
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month still in full swing, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting substantial career opportunities for cyber-minded students and professionals, this is an excellent time to enroll in a cybersecurity-focused degree or sharpen your skills through continuing education. As an NSA-designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Harrisburg University is an ideal place to do it.
Start a conversation with the Admissions Team today to learn more about HU’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Cybersecurity. Or, explore highly relevant, demand-driven professional education opportunities at HU, including:
- AI in Public Policy
- Information Security Officer (ISO)
- Data Analytics Certificate
- Digital Transformation Certificate
Want to keep in touch about all upcoming continuing education programming at HU? Be sure to follow Harrisburg University Professional Development on LinkedIn.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges for 2025. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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