A powerful and fitting finale to 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month—on Halloween weekend, when resilience, vigilance, and defense took center stage—took place at Metro State University.
On Friday, October 31, Metro State University, in partnership with the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem (MN-NS-ECO), hosted “Building a Community-Driven Cyber Resilient America: A Leadership Roundtable.”
The event brought together federal, state, and local leaders; innovators; educators; veterans; and small-business partners—all united by a single goal: strengthening the digital resilience of Minnesota’s communities.
From the halls of Congress to the heart of Minnesota’s cities, every conversation carried one clear message: cybersecurity is not a solo mission, it is a shared responsibility. What unfolded on Friday was more than a panel discussion—it was a vision in motion, underscoring that Minnesota’s greatest strength lies not only in its technology, but in its people, partnerships, and purpose.
Leaders from across the nation and state
Panelists represented a diverse cross-section of national and state leadership, including:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Congressman Brad Finstad; Senators Melissa Wiklund and Eric Lucero of the Minnesota Senate; Commissioner Tarek Tomes (Chief Information Officer, Minnesota IT Services); Jamie Wascalus (CIO, City of Saint Paul); Brian J. Morgan (Director, J3 Cyber Coordination Cell, Minnesota National Guard); General Stefanie Horvath (CISO, City of Saint Paul); Chetan Ganatra (CIO, Ramsey County); Christian Torkelson (League of Minnesota Cities); Nathan Zacharias (Association of Minnesota Counties); Michael Caplovitz (CEO, GetChkd Inc.); Jeff Phillips (COO, Secrecy Labs LLC); and Tom Branen (Lead for America).
Moderated by Dr. Faisal Kaleem, director and professor of Cyber Programs, and Dean Kyle Swanson of the College of Sciences, the roundtable examined how public policy, education, innovation, and collaboration intersect to build long-term cyber resilience.
Metro State’s role in Minnesota’s cyber ecosystem
As conversations unfolded, leaders repeatedly pointed to Metro State University as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s cybersecurity ecosystem—a unique hub where education, research, and service converge to strengthen the state’s overall cyber posture.
Metro State remains the only university in Minnesota recognized with multiple national designations by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in Cybersecurity, Cyber Operations, and Intelligence. These designations reflect the university’s mission to develop the next generation of defenders and to advance Minnesota’s cyber priorities through education, innovation, and community engagement.
Whole-of-community approach to the whole-of-state cybersecurity plan
Through a portfolio of hands-on initiatives, Metro State has become a driving force behind Minnesota’s Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan, including:
- The Metro State Cyber Clinic — developed in partnership with Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) — providing risk assessments, cybersecurity awareness training, and policy development support to public and private organizations statewide.
- The Educational Security Operations Center (eSOC) — preparing students with real-time defensive experience by monitoring and protecting Metro State’s own network infrastructure.
- The External SOC — established with the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) — extending low-cost security monitoring and response services to local governments, schools, small businesses, and nonprofits across Minnesota.
- The Cyber4Heroes Program, part of the CyberSkills2Work national network, offering free cybersecurity training to veterans, transitioning military personnel, and first responders.
Through these efforts, Metro State is helping local governments, schools, nonprofits, and small businesses fortify their defenses while simultaneously training the skilled workforce that will sustain Minnesota’s resilience for decades to come.
Statewide commitment and forward momentum
Panelists and policymakers praised Metro State’s leadership, describing its programs as “a cornerstone of Minnesota’s security ecosystem.” Legislative and agency leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policy, resources, and partnerships that enable Metro State to continue expanding its mission—advancing workforce development, regional collaboration, and long-term resilience across Minnesota.
As the roundtable concluded, one theme resonated above all: cyber resilience is Minnesota’s shared mission—and Metro State University is proud to be at its center.
Together with its partners across government, industry, and academia, Metro State is building a more secure, more resilient, and more united Minnesota—and a stronger America.