Cyber Education and Research Center hosts 20th annual Security Matters

 

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center recently hosted the 20th annual Security Matters conference, welcoming more than 270 attendees from across the region to one of the largest technology and cybersecurity events in western Kentucky.

Held on Murray State’s campus, Security Matters remains a free event designed to connect local businesses, cybersecurity professionals, government leaders, Murray State students and area high school students with industry experts and emerging trends in technology, cybersecurity, compliance and workforce development.

Director of Murray State’s Cyber Education and Research Center Dr. Michael Ramage reflected on the significance of the conference’s 20-year milestone and the continued growth of Murray State’s cybersecurity leadership.

“For 20 years, Security Matters has remained focused on building connections between education, industry and community while preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders,” Ramage said. “This event reflects Murray State’s continued commitment to innovation, workforce development and serving the Commonwealth through excellence in cybersecurity education.”

This year’s conference featured presentations from nationally recognized leaders and experts, including Wes Spencer, Co-Founder of Empath Cyber, who opened the conference with “The Great AI Reset,” exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business and cybersecurity. Bill DeLong, Senior Associate at Schellman and cybersecurity compliance expert, delivered practical insights into Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and real-world audit lessons. Ramage shared updates on the University’s cybersecurity legacy, ongoing facility transformation and strategic vision for the future. Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and InfraGard also provided critical guidance on cybersecurity partnerships and response resources, while Drew Perry, Vice President of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Ramaco Resources, served as the luncheon keynote speaker.

Security Matters 2026 was made possible through the generous support of numerous sponsors, including DevSource Technologies, Caterpillar Financial, Systems Solutions, SpecterOps, Total Tech Solutions  and additional industry partners committed to strengthening cybersecurity education and workforce development throughout Kentucky and beyond.

During the annual Patterns of Distinction Cyber Awards Luncheon, Murray State recognized outstanding leaders, alumni, students and partners who have significantly contributed to cybersecurity, technology innovation and the University’s mission.

Major award recipients included:

Nathan B. Stubblefield Distinguished Lecture Award: Drew Perry, Vice President of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Ramaco Resources

Dick Anderson Leadership Award: Andrew Chiles, Vice President of Tradecraft at SpecterOps

Gary Brockway Faculty/Staff Excellence Award: Rhonda Timmons, Student Records Specialist, Murray State University

Cyber Studies Distinguished Alumni Awards: Jacob Abbott, Senior Manager, Partner CloudOps & Resilience at Amazon Web Services (undergraduate) and Dana Howard, Vice President of Marketing at CFSB (graduate)

John Williams Entrepreneurship Award: Wes Spencer, Co-Founder, Empath Cyber

Lana Garner Porter Women in Technology Award: Karen Jackson-Furman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WK&T

Dr. Gene Wells Ray Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Hopkins, CEO of DevSource Technology Solutions

Additional scholarships awarded included:

Mike and Cindy Bowman Scholarship: Austin Blagg, of Paducah, Kentucky, and Jennie Watts, of Herndon, Kentucky

Dr. James Gantt Cyber National Advisory Board Scholarship: Alexander Holm, of Louisville, Kentucky; Lilliana Hull, of Cadiz, Kentucky; and Cameron Jones, of Robards, Kentucky

Dr. Gene Wells Ray Scholarship: Clayton Cope, of Benton, Kentucky

Student achievement was also celebrated through Outstanding Student Awards:

Graduate Student of the Year: Jeffery Springer, of Crofton, Kentucky

Undergraduate Student of the Year: Liliana Bazzell, of Tyler, Texas

Additionally, students were recognized for successfully completing the Program of Study in Cybersecurity that meets the requirements to be recognized as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense as designated by the Department of War and National Security. Those students included:

Andrew Barnette, of Paducah, Kentucky
Liliana Bazzell, of Tyler, Texas
Michael Calvert, of Almo, Kentucky
Aiden Green, of Taylorsville, Kentucky
Conner O’Brien-Eddy, of Nashville, Tennessee
Eli Skipworth, of Franklin, Kentucky

Since its founding through Kentucky’s Programs of Distinction initiative in 1997, Murray State’s cybersecurity program has grown into a nationally recognized leader, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, accelerated master’s pathways and specialized certificates. Murray State University has been designated as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of War since 2019.

Murray State’s Cyber Education and Research Center continues to provide leadership in education, research, workforce development and community outreach while helping shape the future of cybersecurity across Kentucky and the broader region.

Learn more about Murray State’s Cybersecurity and Network Management program at murraystate.edu/cyber.