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Andrew Schmitt is an information security professional with a passion for networking. Starting his career in application and end-user support, his passion for network and security technologies was quickly realized. Currently, Schmitt is a cybersecurity professional with a focus on network security and network threat prevention. Additionally, he is a community faculty member at Metropolitan State University where he teaches cybersecurity courses. His favorite part of being an information security professional is the rapidly changing environment and the challenge of keeping enterprises protected.

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Theresa Chasar is an Information Security Operations Director who works with Newell Brands to protect the company’s critical assets and continuously monitor and improve its security defenses. Theresa applies her depth of experience in security engineering and technical architecture to business initiatives, ensuring the alignment of innovation and security. She believes that a balance between business operations and security operations is achievable when teams collaborate on a shared vision.

Theresa holds a Master’s degree in Security Technologies from the University of Minnesota.

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Mangaya Sivagnanam is a principal cybersecurity systems architect with 17 years of experience in software applications design, analysis, development, testing and deployment of web/enterprise based on client/server applications and commercial industrial control systems. She is responsible for the framework and application design and development of web-based and embedded software for control systems. Mangaya has expertise and experience in innovation, security architecture for the web application, industrial control systems, internet of things, mobile, cloud computing, big data security, smart connected buildings and smart cities. She has extensive experience with heterogeneous system’s software design (Secure SDLC), threat modeling, security and risk analysis, penetration testing. She is also responsible for coordinating and managing the incident response process for the advanced building automation systems and solutions. She received an MS degree in Security Technologies | Cybersecurity in Technology Leadership Institute University of Minnesota.

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Dr. Faisal Kaleem received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL. Since 1998 he has served as an educator in different academic institutions. Currently, he is serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences at Metropolitan State University, and a Senior Fellow at the Leadership Institute (TLI) at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kaleem is an experienced lifelong cybersecurity practitioner. His research interests include multiple aspects of cybersecurity including Smart Grid Security, Computer, and Network Security but more specifically in the area of mobile device security, mobile malware analysis, and attribution, and mobile forensics. In the past few years, Dr. Kaleem has developed and taught several courses (Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics Engineering, Mobile Device Forensics, Malware Reverse Engineering, etc.) in the area of cybersecurity.

Dr. Kaleem has extensive experience managing federally funded cybersecurity programs, including programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct research using Smart Glasses applications to identify the unique skillsets of cybersecurity analysts, learning gaps, and augmented reality learning solutions. In addition, he recently received NSA grants to provide cybersecurity training to veterans and other underrepresented communities. He also developed modules on Mobile Forensics with grant support from Intel Corporation. With the help of Minnesota IT Center of excellence, Dr. Kaleem has established MnCyber—a statewide institute for Cybersecurity and forensics research and education. He is currently serving as the executive director of MnCyber. He is also the co-founder and executive member of Minnesota Cyber Career Consortium (MNC3) whose mission is to address Minnesota’s cybersecurity workforce needs and to help assist Minnesota businesses in handling cyber risks.

Dr. Kaleem has established a solid track record in teaching and has received numerous awards including the best professor and the best course awards (cybersecurity) from various graduating cohorts. Dr. Kaleem is an advisory board member to various organizations as well as the faculty advisor for the Cybersecurity and Forensics Students Organization. He also leads the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) at Metropolitan State University. During his free time, he also provides various Internet Safety workshop for parents and children. Dr. Kaleem served as the program committee member for NICE 2016 conference as well as the Academic co-chair of the NICE 2017 conference that was held in Dayton, OH. He continually appears on various local news channels discussing various issues in the area of cybersecurity and currently holds various industry certifications such as CISSP, CEH, Security+, MCT, CCLO, and CCPA.

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