With a theme of “Protecting Your Infrastructure Against Latest Cyber Threats and Attacks,” this year marks the third annual Cyber Summit from Oakland University’s Cyber Security Club, also known as CyberOU.

According to Amanda LaBelle, president, the Cyber Summit is the organization’s biggest event of the year. It will be held on Friday, March 18 in the OC banquet rooms.

The panel will discuss technology-related questions, but an in-depth technical knowledge is not needed to enjoy and learn at the summit.

The CyberOU officers have carefully constructed the panel questions so the summit remains specific to the theme but not so technical that it discourages students.

“We want attendees to be able to take something new from the summit,” LaBelle said.

Panelists this year include the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the State of Michigan, security managers and strategists from two of the Big Three automakers (Ford and Fiat Chrysler) and from CBI, an information technology consultant firm. The Chief Security Officer of the State of Michigan, Christian Kopacsi, will be the keynote speaker.

“We are thrilled to be able to gather this prestigious panel of leaders and bring them within grasp of the students here at OU,” LaBelle said. “It is an unparalleled opportunity for students and faculty to be able to learn from and network with these individuals.”

The summit is free and everyone is welcome.

“Attendees do not need to bring anything with them except an excitement for technology,” she said. “Particularly ambitious attendees could bring business cards for the networking opportunity provided during the lunch at the close of the summit. “

This event is professional, so attendees should dress in business casual. There will be a designated area for backpacks and coats.

Planning to attend the summit? Register at summit.cyberou.com. The summit is limited to 200 attendees, and according to LaBelle, they were nearly halfway full as of Feb. 9.

For more information, individuals can visit summit.cyberou.com.

CyberOU is a technology and cyber security organization that hosts a variety of events that are informative and demonstrative.

LaBelle joined CyberOU in fall 2014 as public relations officer and helped to maintain the website.

“Since its founding – winter 2013 – we have grown to over 300 members,” LaBelle said. “We try to remain very active by hosting events for students, ranging from technical demonstrations of latest technology to business networking opportunities to help them find jobs in the industry.”

Anyone interested in becoming more involved with CyberOU can visit their general website, cyberou.com, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Sidebar: According to the Cyber Summit website, the schedule is as follows:

Check-in at 8 a.m.

Welcome and introduction by LaBelle, president, at 8:30 a.m.

Opening keynote by CSO of the State of Michigan, Christian Kopacsi, at 8:40 a.m.

Panel discussion part 1: Cyber Threats at 9:10 a.m.

Intermission- 10:10 a.m.

Panel discussion part 2: Cyber Attacks at 10:40 a.m.

Networking and lunch at 12 p.m.