NCTech4Good

where tech meets social change

where tech meets social change

Can we make basic cyber hygiene go viral?

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Speaker: Sidd Chopra – We are in a $2 TRILLION war with cybercriminals.
Yet, “nobody seems to realize that we are at war & we have been at war for a long time” admits former Deputy Commanding General of US Army’s Cyber Command, MG (retired) Patricia Frost.
While we may dismiss small attacks, Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of U.S. CyberCom & NSA Director warns “the cumulative effect could be devastating”

You, me, our family and friends, are on the front lines of a technology war with very sophisticated, well funded adversaries.  And we are losing.

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) was created in response to a presidential directive to improve the nation’s cybersecurity. Its Workforce Workgroup published their “Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Job” booklet last year as a guide to organizations.
This session will test a new approach that enlists the arts in a friendly competition.
Bring your instruments, costumes & art supplies, tap into your creative side & have fun helping to save society.

Sidd Chopra
Sidd Chopra is an entrepreneur, veteran IT professional, author, award-winning speaker and the CIO of a medical practice. In his career, he developed critical systems for the Neurotoxicology Department of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SAS Institute, the U.S. Army, and several Fortune 100 companies. He was a finalist in a national public speaking contest and, in 1999, Toastmasters International awarded him the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, its highest award. In 2010, the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global declared him a Subject Matter Expert. He is a founding member of the Indus Entrepreneur (TiE) Carolinas. He served 6 years on a Strategic Advisory Board at N.C. State University and currently serves as the project lead for the National Initiative for Cybersecurity's Workforce Working Group. He is also on an advisory board at Wake Technical Community College. In his quest to understand and reinvent the science of presentations, he has worked with over 150 leading scientists, inventors, investors, professional public speakers, top military generals, thought leaders and government officials to develop cutting edge systems to make presentations more efficient, effective and reliable. He has traveled to over 37 countries on six continents.

Using technology to break down socio-cultural barriers & build economies

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Speaker: Jennifer Atala – In this session, I talk about how technology can be used to break down socio-cultural barriers between traditionally adverse communities, and how integrated use of technology in traditional industries, particularly in developing economies or within underserved communities, can have the multiplier effect of increased job creation, lowered political and social instability, increased human capital, and increased harmony between communities. I will draw on my experience leading initiatives across the Middle East. Case studies include: Leading investment in and B2B partnership between technology companies in conflict with each other to build trust; Advising the US, Swiss and EU governments and partners (private & nonprofit) in how to catalyze growth and social impact and reach underserved communities in technology entrepreneurship ecosystems and related assessment criteria; leading PPP between MNCs, universities and technology firms to create innovative solutions to grassroots problems.

Jennifer Atala
Jennifer Atala is a global business, strategy and partnerships professional with expertise in technology, financial inclusion, and private sector development in culturally and politically-diverse environments. She has led initiatives in eight countries with the US government, international institutions, SMBs and local organizations. With her consulting practice, she has led and advised clients on entrepreneurship ecosystem building with assessments, project design and partnership initiatives for the US and Swiss governments, international organizations, nonprofits and MNCs in Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Territories. This work specializes in catalyzing impact in economies, bridging the gap in areas of conflict and supporting underserved communities, job creation and integrated problem solving across industry using technology and working in public-private partnership. From 2015-2017, Ms. Atala served as the Senior Technical Advisor on the U.S. Agency for International Development’s private sector competitiveness program in the Palestinian Territories, where she led grant-investment and technical teams across seven industries with a particular focus on technology B2B and ecosystem building. In this role, she accomplished the first pilot deal in the garment sector between companies based in Gaza and Tel Aviv since the 2007 political closure as part of then Secretary Kerry’s initiative, leading her team’s market research, due diligence, negotiations and relationship-building efforts. Prior, she was based in Washington, DC, where she led data analytics consulting projects for the US government and multi-lateral institutions, served as the liaison between USAID’s Civil-Military Office and Office of Transition Initiatives and on the US State Department’s Libya Task Force, and led investment process improvement initiatives within the Financial Institutions Group of the International Finance Corporation. Ms. Atala is a Truman National Security Fellow, certified yoga teacher focused on trauma-affected communities, and graduate of both the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She regularly volunteers as a mentor and judge for startup acceleration programs and is on the Board of Directors for BuildPalestine, a social enterprise aimed at crowd-solving development challenges and mobilizing Palestinian Diaspora. Learn more at www.jenniferatala.com. --- N.B. As of March 4, I will be taking on a position with CrossComm as their Director of Business Development, in addition to continuing my independent projects.

Lessons Learned From a Year in IT

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Speaker: Rebecca Beck – This session will provide an overview of the the highlights of my experience as the leader of an IT service department this year. We will discuss ways to reduce costs in your IT budget, hiring for the right “IT professional”, the challenges and opportunities that are on the horizon for public sector IT, and why having a leadership coach during this process might be the best therapy that money can buy!

Rebecca Beck
Rebecca Beck is a native North Carolinian, with a passion for all things “technology”. She serves her community as an IT professional, training facilitator and leader in the public sector. She began her career with the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County in 2000. Her strengths include; technology infrastructure planning and development, organizational leadership, and social media strategy. This year, Rebecca engaged in conversations with organizational leaders as a “Curbside Consultant” at the NC Center for Non-Profits Conference. She has also recently hosted sessions on technical and business topics at the NC Tech4Good Conference, as well as, the National Smart Start Conference. Rebecca shares advice and tips on a variety of technology topics via Twitter and her blog, @IfItHasButtons. Rebecca supports the statewide non-profit technology community by serving on membership groups, such as; NTEN (Non-Profit Technology Network), NC Tech4Good, and the NCLGISA (North Carolina Local Government Information Systems Association). In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys attending statewide festivals and events, shopping at the local farmer’s market, and relaxing along the beautiful, North Carolina coastline.

How to Survive (and Thrive) in Your #NPTech Career

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In my career, I’ve been honored to grow within my profession, from a Level-1 Help Desk Support Assistant to Vice President of Information Technology. Through this experience, I’ve gathered so many resources that may help other tech professionals, as well. In this workshop, let’s discuss some of the tips, strategies and tools for finding success in an #NPTech career. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you!

Rebecca Beck
Rebecca, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a technology professional, training facilitator and leader in the public sector. She began her career with the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County in 2000. Her strengths include; technology infrastructure planning and development, organizational leadership and social media strategy. Most recently, Rebecca has hosted speaking engagements on technical and business topics at the NC Tech4Good Conference, as well as, the National Smart Start Conference, held annually in North Carolina for the enrichment of non-profit, early education professionals. As an active member of the local community, Rebecca has received Citizen’s Academy certificates from Cumberland County, the City of Fayetteville, and is now serving on the Institute for Community Leadership. She upholds her commitment to serving her local community by participating in municipal boards and through volunteer work with other human service organizations. Rebecca shares advice on a variety of technology topics via Twitter and her blog, IfItHasButtons. Rebecca has also written articles for the of the nationwide online publication, NTEN (Non-Profit Technology Network).

NCTech4Good, an affiliate of NTEN and TechSoup’s NetSquared, is the local resource for nonprofit technology information. Join the sharing and networking at monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. usually at UNC-TV, and our annual conference, https://www.nct4g.org/. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @nctech4good, and with the hashtag #nct4g.