ISSA-LA Donates to ISSA Education Foundation to Support Its Information Security Scholarship Program

Dec. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Dr. Stan Stahl, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA-LA), presented a check for $2,202 to the ISSA Education Foundation (ISSAEF) Scholarship Fund.  Foundation Board Chair Sandra Lambert and Board President Steve Haydostian accepted the donation on behalf of the Foundation.

“I’m pleased, on behalf of ISSA-LA, to make this annual contribution to the ISSA Educational Foundation,” said Dr. Stahl. “We need to encourage students to enter the field of Information security because it takes a village to secure the village^SMfor today and future generations.”

"ISSA was founded in Los Angeles, and we are grateful that the chapter continues to support ISSAEF's educational initiatives," Ms. Lambert stated.  “We hope that this contribution will inspire other ISSA members and supporters to contribute, however much they can, to the ISSAEF's efforts to bring forward future generations of dedicated information security practitioners."

Computerworld Magazine reported that the demand for information security experts in the United States is outstripping the available supply by a widening margin.  A study by Burning Glass Technologies, which develops technologies designed to match people with jobs, stated that the most sought-after jobs by employers were information security engineers and security analysts in such industries as defense, financial services, retail, healthcare and professional services.  The report is based on a study of job postings for cybersecurity professionals placed by U.S. businesses and government agencies over the past five years.

The check’s large amount was the result of a matching grant challenge ISSA-LA made to other ISSA Chapters and members at the recent ISSA International conference.  The contribution will offer scholarships to support graduate level studies by individuals pursuing the field of Information Security.  The Foundation also provides undergraduate scholarships, and in the future will offer grants to professionals wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in the information security field.

The ISSA Education Foundation (www.issaef.com) was founded in 2003 by the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) as a 501 (c) (3) public charity. The Foundation is made up exclusively of volunteers from the ranks of information security professionals.

The purpose of the Foundation is to promote and support scholarships in information security; foster, support, develop and provide education and training for professionals in the field of information security technology; and conduct and promote seminars and education programs to educate the public in and about information security.

ISSA-LA is the premier catalyst and information source in Los Angeles for improving the practice of information security. The Chapter provides educational programs for information security and IT professionals. The Chapter conducts outreach programs to businesses, financial institutions, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and consumers. It’s most robust outreach program is ISSA-LA’s Financial Services Security Forum composed of IT representatives from local and regional banks and credit unions, as well as representatives from law enforcement. The Chapter recently hosted a world class Security Summit, attracting almost 800 participants. ISSA-LA is the founding Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association, an international not-for-profit association of information security professionals and practitioners. For more information please visit http://www.issala.org.