Mata is the California Community Colleges Regional Director named Cyber Hero

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Today SynED, a countrywide non-profit company that identifies rising exceptional practices for advantageous articulation between employers, job seekers, and education providers, introduced that Susanne Mata was chosen as its countrywide CyberHero for November.

Mata is the California Community Colleges Regional Director for Employer Engagement in Information Communication Technologies and Digital Media in the Inland Empire/Desert Region. In this role, she works closely with faculty, government and industry companions to put together college students who can tackle present day and future cybersecurity challenges and create innovative methods to fill the developing demand for expert cybersecurity experts across California and beyond.

Mata commenced her position as regional director in 2016 when the vicinity used to be just opening to tackle cybersecurity. She rapidly identified an possibility to meet organisation wants through creating new cybersecurity academic pathways and assist activities and building on existing curricula to align with employer expectations.

"Companies and employers in all places need professional people that can assist to build, preserve and shield networks and data," Mata said. "Cybersecurity crosses each enterprise sector and has a vicinity in every business, no count number the size."

Under Mata's leadership, eight of the 12 neighborhood faculties in the Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium now provide cybersecurity applications — up from two schools just a few years ago — which includes a two-year cybersecurity diploma at Chaffey College. The area is additionally home to nearly 50 CyberPatriot teams and regional cyber competitions for middle and excessive school students.

Though Mata does no longer work directly with students, she takes satisfaction in the truth that her work creating systems for them to be successful manifests itself in severa methods each and every day.

"The community faculties are a top notch way for students to pursue a cybersecurity career and attain the capabilities and certifications imperative to be competitive in present day workforce," Mata said. "The competitions are an chance for these college students to improve their capabilities and construct confidence. It is very moneymaking to be a section of that and to see them have a good time their achievements."

David Nimri, accomplice professor of laptop facts systems at Chaffey College, said he appreciates Mata's help in fostering collaboration amongst schools throughout the location — a venture that is from time to time less complicated stated than accomplished amid competing priorities and objectives.

"The exceptional part about working with Susanne is how responsive she is and how she has an nearly magical ability to get one of a kind faculty from special schools to collaborate and center of attention on scholar success in the region," Nimri said.

Mata's ability to coordinate partnerships additionally extends to the government. Scott Agajanian, deputy director of improvement offerings for the City of Murrieta, has attended workshops Mata prepared and is always impressed via her ability to get the right human beings in the proper region at the right time.

"Susanne works diligently and brings many fields together," Agajanian said. "She brings thoughtfulness and high energy to everything she does.  There is always a aim in thought and a sketch to get there.

Mata also breaks down obstacles that hold students again from pursuing cybersecurity education. Suzanne Davis, public sector national account manager for ConvergeOne, works with Mata on creating immersive school room experiences and new instructional partnerships in the region.

Davis praised Mata's passion for her work and her open mind to embrace new possibilities as they arise.

"Susanne lives her mission and believes these applied sciences offer tremendous possibilities for those that desire to put in the work," Davis said. "She works tirelessly to get rid of limitations to these wishing to pursue these careers."

As she looks in advance to the future of cybersecurity education, Mata hopes her colleagues at some point of industry, training and authorities will proceed to embody new opportunities and smash down silos to foster pupil success and meet altering job market demands.

"As new jobs develop, educators want to be responsive and inclined to adjust their curriculum and programs," Mata said "I think one aspect is for certain — there will have to be brilliant developments made so we can continue to be one step ahead of cyber criminals."

Prior to her role as regional director, Mata served as Coordinator of Special Programs in Career and Technical Education at Mt. San Jacinto College and K-14 Pathways Regional Technical Assistance Provider in the Inland Empire/Desert Region.