ST. LOUIS – Students from the Saint Louis University and Maryville University Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) chapters are teaming up to address one of the nation’s most critical challenges: the shortage of skilled professionals trained to combat escalating cybersecurity threats.
Students from both universities came together on Oct. 11 for an innovative event – CyberStrong: Building the Cybersecurity Workforce of the Future – where they worked on a tabletop exercise developed by government experts and sponsored by the leading cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. The one-day conference was the first of what the universities hope will become an annual exercise, providing students with hands-on experience and professional growth opportunities.
Students from SLU's Women in Cybersecurity chapter attend the CyberStrong event at Maryville University on Saturday, Oct. 11. From left to right: Lenna Maridi (President), Varuna Nimmala (Secretary), Karnika Kuruba, Vaishnavi Joshi (Vice President), Maria Weber, director of Cybersecurity and Information Systems Master’s Programs at SLU, Atharva Pitke (Treasurer), Om Madat Prince Danso, Madhan Mohan Reddy Borra, and Abishek Narayanamoorthi. Submitted photo.
“This joint event between SLU and Maryville exemplifies how academic collaboration can fuel innovation in cyber research and defense,” said Maria Weber, director of Cybersecurity and Information Systems Master’s Programs at SLU. “Through the leadership of our WiCyS chapters, we are not only empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, but also providing them with the hands-on experience and interdisciplinary perspective needed to address today’s most pressing digital security challenges.”
This high-impact collaboration also featured a panel discussion hosted by the Global Cybersecurity Center, a nonprofit that unites senior cybersecurity leaders, including chief information security officers and industry professionals, to tackle the workforce talent gap.
Closing the cybersecurity talent gap is critical to effectively defending organizations against ever-evolving cyber threats. The World Economic Forum estimates a global shortage of more than 4 million cyber professionals, and a recent survey showed that women account for less than 20 percent of cybersecurity teams in the U.S.
SLU’s Cybersecurity Center, housed within the School for Professional Studies, serves as a hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity education, research, and workforce development. Recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, the center emphasizes technical skill development and ethical leadership.
Through a combination of academic programs, including graduate and certificate options and partnerships with industry and government, SLU equips students with practical expertise in areas such as network security, cloud security, digital forensics, and cyber defense. The center’s mission aligns with SLU’s Jesuit values by fostering a secure and just digital society, preparing professionals to protect critical systems and information while upholding integrity and public trust.
“Events like this bring together students from different universities, backgrounds, and experiences, creating a space where diverse voices and perspectives are respected and valued,” said Lenna Maridi, a second-year master’s student in cybersecurity and president of the WiCyS Student Chapter at SLU. “They allow students to engage directly with industry professionals, ask questions freely, and receive thoughtful, genuine answers without fear of judgment. This open exchange of ideas encourages inclusion and growth for everyone involved and strengthens the cybersecurity community by fostering mentorship and representation.”
About Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 13,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from 50 states and 56 countries. More than 50,000 Maryville alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.
