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Carolina Cyber Network Events

The Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) convenings are business-oriented gatherings among CCN member schools with the mission to strategize and develop “best in class” cybersecurity talent as its over-arching theme.

Fall 2026 Convening

September 30 – October 2, 2026

The Convening will provide an opportunity to connect, learn, and explore leading-edge strategies for cybersecurity workforce development.  Participants can network with cyber professionals and educators through economic sector group meetings, specialized breakout sessions, and an informal reception.  The agenda includes keynote addresses from cybersecurity leaders, interactive sessions on integrating cybersecurity education across academic disciplines and incorporating cyber ranges into curricula, and an opportunity to hear from recent graduates about landing their first job in cyber. 

Randolph Community College

  • 629 Industrial Park Ave, Asheboro, NC 27205

Spring 2026 Convening

March 19-20, 2026
Agenda

The Spring 2026 Convening brought together leaders from education, industry, and government to advance North Carolina’s cybersecurity workforce and strengthen collaboration across the state.

Held at Blue Ridge Community College, the two-day convening focused on practical strategies that support workforce readiness and program alignment:

  • Aligning education with evolving workforce needs
  • Strengthening partnerships across North Carolina
  • Advancing ethical, professional, and job-ready cybersecurity training

Participants engaged in a mix of hands-on and discussion-based sessions, including Cybersecurity Escape Rooms, Hack the Box demonstrations, and facilitated conversations on workforce alignment, communication, and ethics. These activities emphasized the importance of preparing students to apply technical knowledge in real-world environments and communicate effectively across diverse audiences

The convening also provided space for collaboration among member institutions, industry partners, and state leaders working to address the growing demand for cybersecurity talent.

We extend our appreciation to all who participated and contributed to the success of the event, including NC Representative Jake Johnson and State CISO Bernice Russell-Bond.

The Spring Convening continues to reflect CCN’s commitment to a coordinated, statewide approach that connects education, industry, and government to strengthen North Carolina’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

This work is driven by the strength of the network and the partnerships that make it possible.

Blue Ridge Community College
Technology Education and Development Center
180 W. Campus Dr., Flat Rock, NC 28731

RETR3AT | February 20, 2026

Friday, February 20, 2026 
Montreat College 

For more than a decade, Montreat College has hosted the RETR3AT Cybersecurity Conference. RETR3AT 2026 continued that legacy by bringing together students, faculty, and industry leaders for a day focused on applied learning, career clarity, and workforce connection.

This year’s keynote speakers, Lance Ragland of Wells Fargo and Jackson Schultz of ArgusEye, challenged attendees to think critically about leadership, responsibility, and readiness in today’s cybersecurity environment.

Their messages underscored a central theme: technical skill must be paired with character, communication, and discipline.

The conference also featured a series of TED-style talks from professionals working across the cybersecurity landscape:
• Melvin Lee III, Wells Fargo
• David Hawthorne, O3 Solutions
• Joseph Shockey, O3 Solutions
• Payton Landy, Volvo Group
• Caleb Johnson-White, DartPoints & NCDIT

Each speaker walked students through real-world roles and decision-making moments, offering an unfiltered look at life inside the profession and the pathways that led them there.

As Lance Ragland shared afterward, “It was a great day for the Cybernauts!” His continued partnerships with the Carolina Cyber Network and Montreat reflect what RETR3AT represents at its best: industry and education aligned around developing the next generation of professionals.

The event concluded with a Job Fair in Anderson Lobby, connecting students directly with employers and turning inspiration into opportunity.

Thank you to our speakers, partners, faculty, and students who made RETR3AT 2026 a success. The momentum continues.

Fall 2025 Convening

This year’s event, hosted at Fayetteville Technical Community College on September 25 – 26, 2025, will place a strong emphasis on Sector and Work Group collaboration, featuring dedicated meetings and presentations from these groups.

Fayetteville Technical Community College

  • Tony Rand Student Center
  • 2220 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Bernice Russell-Bond, State Chief Information Security Office NC Department of Information Technology – FTCC – Thursday, September 25. 2025

7th Annual Cybersecurity Conference

The conference will feature speakers from business, academia, and government discussing a variety of cybersecurity-related topics.

UNCW Campus

  • Congdon Hall
  • 4893 Price Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

Spring 2025 Convening

This year’s event, hosted at Catawba Valley Community College on March 13-14, 2025, will place a strong emphasis on Sector and Work Group collaboration, featuring dedicated meetings and presentations from these groups. General sessions and panel discussions will highlight student work experiences, with a focus on internship and mentorship opportunities designed to build cyber talent. The keynote speaker will be Karl Cureton, Chairman & CEO, Council Exchange Board of Trade. Mr. Cureton will focus on actionable strategies that bridge academic preparation with industry needs.

Catawba Valley Community College

  • Workforce Solutions Complex
  • 1980 Startown Rd.,  Hickory, NC 28602

View campus map.

RETR3AT | February 28

2025 Summary

For the past decade, Montreat College has proudly hosted the RETR3AT Cybersecurity Conference. As we enter the second decade, RETR3AT 2025 focused on investing in the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, particularly students from our Carolina Cyber Network partner schools.

Held on February 28, this year’s conference provided college and high school students with valuable insights into cybersecurity careers and connected them with industry leaders and job opportunities. Keynote speakers included Jeff Crume, IBM Distinguished Engineer and YouTube’s “The Security Guy,” and Lauren Goldman, Director of Analysis and Analytical Integration at the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center for the Office of Director of National Intelligence. 

Attendees also enjoyed a series of TED-style talks featuring Madeline Sides (Compliance), Jonathan Kayembe (Vulnerability Management), Caleb Wells (Analytics), and Akira Shavers (Security Engineering). Each speaker walked attendees through a day in the life of their particular cybersecurity field.

Thank you to all who attended and made our RETR3AT Conference a success! We look forward to seeing you next year.

Fall 2024 Convening

The Convening will provide an opportunity to connect, learn, and explore leading-edge strategies for cybersecurity workforce development.  Participants can network with cyber professionals and educators through economic sector group meetings, specialized breakout sessions, and an informal reception.  The agenda includes keynote addresses from cybersecurity leaders, interactive sessions on integrating cybersecurity education across academic disciplines and incorporating cyber ranges into curricula, and an opportunity to hear from recent graduates about landing their first job in cyber. 

University of North Carolina Wilmington

  • Watson College of Education
  • 601 College Rd, Wilmington NC
  • Room 162

Thank you Hack The Box for sponsoring CCN Fall 2024 Convening

Hack The Box

Spring 2024 Convening

This year’s Spring Convening will include significant blocks of time for the Sector and Work groups to meet and to hold discussions concerning the slate of services provided by the CCN to member schools.  There will also be presentations and panel discussions from representatives from government and military focusing on employment opportunities for graduates, cyber skill sets required by government agencies, recruiting and supporting veterans and military spouses as students and faculty, and cyber and the future of warfare.

Fayetteville Technical Community College

  • 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303
  • Tony Rand Student Center- Multipurpose Room

RETR3AT | September 22, 2023

RETR3AT is a conference designed to engage, educate, and raise awareness about cybersecurity in Western North Carolina and beyond. RETR3AT goes beyond the “1s and 0s” approach to cybersecurity training, empowering attendees to think about how to lead in protecting their organization’s information within an ethical framework.

The RETR3AT Cybersecurity Conference is an annual symposium featuring national leaders and innovators in the field of cybersecurity. The event is open to both Montreat students and the general public.  The 9th annual RETR3AT was held September 22, 2023 at Montreat College.

Fall 2023 Convening

Spring 2023 Events

  • March 23-24 (Montreat College)
  • Agenda