HARTFORD, Conn. –
The Connecticut National Guard and Connecticut Education Network (CEN) hosted the 4th annual Cyber Nutmeg in Hartford on October 9, 2024.
The event is Connecticut’s premier cybersecurity conference for community anchor institutions that is designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats and recommended defenses to protect organizations. The conference continues to grow with over 330 participants this year from across the tri-state area.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard, opened the event with remarks emphasizing the importance of collaboration in combating cyber threats. Breakout sessions were led by National Guard members, including a presentation on physical security by Sgt. Kevin Fiddler and Cpt. Joshua Pasay, and a discussion on the anatomy of a cyber-attack by Cpt. Erik Toman and CW2 Jason Halbach. Additionally, members of the CTNG Defense Cyber Operations Element (DCOE) facilitated an election security tabletop exercise.
The conference’s growing scope and popularity highlight the increasing importance of cybersecurity in protecting communities across the state. This allows CTNG Cyber to build valuable partnerships across Federal, State and local governments, as well as with industry, academia and private organizations through collaboration. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, and the CTNG hosted regional incident response plan workshops this past summer and plan to host tabletop exercises in the spring. Events like Cyber Nutmeg are essential for building stronger defenses and fostering a resilient digital infrastructure for Connecticut’s future.