A Beacon of Secured Hope

Nestled alongside the flowing Potomac River at the south end of the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Stafford, Virginia, lies a hidden gem that immediately piqued my curiosity. Perhaps it was my inner entrepreneur and passion for innovation taking hold, or maybe it was the realization that this facility was created by individuals with a profound commitment to safeguarding humanity on a grand scale. Little did I know at the time, that the Cyber Bytes Foundation would evolve into a powerhouse that I would not only align with but also lead as the host and producer of their organization’s podcast, Cyber Bytes Insights.

In our most recent episode, I sat down with co-founder and executive director Cesar Nader and dove into the complexities and story behind the mission and initiatives of the foundation, as well as the future of cybersecurity and technology. Focusing on education, innovation, and outreach Cyber Bytes Foundation (CBF) provides training, certifications, and real-world experience through their Quantico Cyber Hub. The thought leader went on to detail his story of why he started the foundation and how being a Marine and real-estate guru propelled his leadership into building a team of outstanding individuals who are impacting youth, underserved communities, veterans, underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and business owners across the nation.

In June, CBF will launch a summer youth program, followed by an after-school program commencing in the fall. These initiatives aim to educate children about technology, including the construction of gaming computers, drones, and 3D printers. Furthermore, we emphasized the significance of collaboration and partnerships with government agencies, academia, and industry experts. By merging skill sets, we aspire to tackle the most intricate national security challenges and address workforce development gaps within the technology sector.

In the industry, there's a common saying that inaction leads to nothing—except in cybersecurity, where doing nothing can lead to cyber incidents. Entities like the Cyber Bytes Foundation stand out as beacons of hope, championing progressive and innovative protection. Their mission extends beyond safeguarding future generations to actively monitor current cyber risks. CBF invites influencers passionate about taking actionable steps in cybersecurity to join their consortium and foundation as members, partners, sponsors, or donors (donate here) as they expand their influence globally within the cybersecurity industry.

It's exceptional entrepreneurial ventures and thought leaders like Cesar and the CBF team that are changing the game in the cybersecurity industry and for future generations and professionals seeking more knowledge and expertise. Watching both kids AND adults light up with excitement is the exact reason this location is a vetted “Beacon of Hope” as we collectively make a better tomorrow a reality for our families and core principles. Until the next one - stay up, stay strong, stay focused.

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About the Author:

Maggie Dillon is an Indiana native with 15+ years of expertise in business strategy operations, sales/business development, and executive recruitment in Cybersecurity, IT, Government, FinTech, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Non-Profit, and Education.?Currently, Maggie serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for CRISP, LLC, a cybersecurity research and development firm based in the DC/Virginia/Maryland markets. Maggie is also a strategic partner and Cyber Bytes Insights Podcast host with the Cyber Bytes Foundation, based out of Stafford, VA, also better known as the Quantico Cyber Hub.

In 2022, she coauthored a #1 international best-selling book on cybersecurity (#HACKED2), drawing on experience from her cybersecurity consulting firm, Empress Security Insights. Additionally, she served on the advisory council for the Executive Women in Leadership Program at George Washington University’s School of Business and her professional career began recruiting in the DOD ranks of industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin. In 2024, Maggie joined the advisory board with Correlate Health, a woman-owned digital health company based in Atlanta.

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