The MassCyberCenter is pleased to introduce career intelligence and cybersecurity expert John Petrozzelli as its new Director. Officially announced in late May, John brings a strong background to the role from his previous positions as Director of Cybersecurity with managed services provider Magna5, as well as cyber and defense roles with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Air Force. Below is a brief message from Director Petrozzelli:

“I am very excited to join the MassCyberCenter and work with our talented team of professionals from very diverse public and private sector backgrounds. Our Nation is constantly under attack by hostile nation states, advanced persistent threats, and cybercriminal enterprises. As a former intelligence officer, I recall Colombian terrorists using kidnapping-for-ransom to generate millions of dollars to support their narcoterrorism activities. While today’s adversaries may have different motives, their strategy is similar, and they hold a victim’s assets hostage.

I plan to add my experience to the deep team at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the MassCyberCenter. With the aim of building a cyber resilient Massachusetts, we will continue to support municipalities with the latest guidance reflecting adversary tactics. We will continue to grow the Massachusetts cyber workforce through mentoring programs and the Security Operation Center and Cybersecurity Training Range initiatives with CyberTrust Massachusetts.”

On May10^th, the MassCyberCenter attended the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) New England Cybersecurity Conference at Gillette Stadium. This year’s conference theme, “Protecting our Advantage: CMMC, Cybersecurity Compliance, and Resilience,” focused on the importance of cybersecurity and cyber resilience in securing companies’ intellectual property and the defense supply chain.

MassTech Chief Investment Strategist and Program Executive Ben Linville-Engler presented an overview of the MassCyberCenter and how its programs support the Defense cybersecurity ecosystem.

Additionally, the MassCyberCenter and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) provided program information and interacted with attendees throughout the day.

On June 14^th, Max Fathy, the Center's Ecosystem Program Manager, presented on a panel at the Cyber Civil Defense Summit, an event hosted by the University of California-Berkley in Washington, D.C.

The Summit showcased creative programs nationwide aimed at helping community organizations, including providing proactive services to bolster resilience and reactive services to enhance incident response and recovery.

On the panel “Scaling Cyber Defense: State and Local Partnerships,” Max highlighted efforts taking place in Massachusetts to enhance the resiliency of state and local organizations and advance workforce development in Massachusetts.  

Read coverage of the panel via StateScoop.

On June 4^th, The Boston Globe published an editorial that discussed the importance for cities and towns across the Commonwealth to become cyber resilient and the challenges surrounding that goal. The article references the Minimum Baseline of Cybersecurity that the MassCyberCenter created to support municipalities, and the work of CyberTrust Massachusetts, which was highlighted as a “promising initiative” for promoting local resiliency and cybersecurity workforce development.

For more information on the Minimum Baseline of Cybersecurity, visit: Minimum Baseline of Cybersecurity for Municipalities.

Globe ‘Tech Week 2023’ Covered Cyber Talent

In May, the MassTechCollaborative and Bridgewater State University co-sponsored a Boston Globe virtual webinar, titled: “People, Pathways, and Partnerships: Building Cybersecurity Resiliency”. The webinar featured several experts within the cybersecurity ecosystem including CyberTrust Massachusetts Director of Cyber Range Programs, Meghan Martinez.

The panel discussed how strategic partnership between municipalities, educational institutions, and the private sector can train a skilled and diverse workforce that protects our communities and institutions, while positioning the Commonwealth to serve as a blueprint for the nation on effective, successful cybersecurity practices.

Last week, the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program wrapped up the Spring 2023 cohort with its Project Showcase events. A key component of the Mentorship program, the Project Showcase provides students the opportunity to present the cybersecurity projects that they worked on with their mentor.

Since the fall of 2020, the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program has supported 175 diverse students from 37 schools across the Commonwealth, connecting them with professional mentors to discuss cybersecurity careers and work together on a cyber-related project.

Interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee? Sign up through the interest form below to be notified when applications for the Fall 2023 cohort are made available later this summer!

We are paving the way for a digital future in Massachusetts - join us!

Supported by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Legislature, the MassTech Intern Partnership (MTIP) program provides stipends to digital technology companies that are starting and scaling-up across Massachusetts to directly support internships for Massachusetts college and graduate students.

The program enables eligible companies, to hire eligible interns, helping drive innovation and keeping our tech sector dynamic, vibrant, and growing across the Commonwealth. Cybersecurity companies can be reimbursed for up to 50% of the intern's hourly wage up to $8 per hour for a total of $3,200/year per individual intern. Eligible cybersecurity companies may apply for up to 3 interns for summer 2023!

Cybersecurity jobs encompass many different types of skill sets across all sectors of business and critical infrastructure. The MassCyberCenter Jobs Board features opportunities that can advanced your career path. Where do you want to go?

Check out several of our latest postings:

• Lead Information Security Analyst– Hologic View Job

• IT Cybersecurity Analyst– City of Boston View Job

• Cyber Range Manager – Springfield Technical Community College View Job

• Senior Research Systems Administrator  - Boston College View Job