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Tech Council Discusses Cyber Security Job Opportunities, Challenges

By Edward Cardenas 

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Representatives from business, education and government gathered Wednesday to discuss the challenges of cyber security along, with the growth in job opportunities in the industry.

Nearly 30 representatives from a variety of backgrounds attended the Opportunity Detroit Tech Council meeting to discuss issues surrounding cyber security.

"(Cybersecurity is) protecting your digital assets from unintended consequences," said Tabice Ward, DTE director IT security and compliance, during a cyber security panel discussion. "Every day there is a new threat."

The Tech Council meets on a quarterly basis, but this was the first meeting to specifically discuss cyber security, organizers stated.

In addition to discussing the challenges posed by cyber security - which is growing as the world becomes more automated - presenters also shared some of the efforts to train and prepare the next generation of information technology professionals.

Organizers of the Experience IT program, which trained 43 students with a "passion for technology" in an in-depth training program to prepare them for a career in information technology and has had an 80 percent placement rate - is preparing to hold the program again this year.

Detroit has also joined together with a number of stakeholders from Midtown to the riverfront to establish the Detroit Innovation District in an effort to "harness" the momentum in the area and coordinate efforts.

Additionally, schools including Wayne State University, Wayne County Community College District and Washtenaw Community College have either established programs, or preparing to offer, classes, degrees and certification for cybersecurity. The state is also reaching out to students and parents to inform them about opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math education.

"The topic is diverse, the topic is complex and Michigan is really seated at a great point to take advantage of a lot of these things for local and national economy," said Greggory Garrett, who moderated the event.

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