For immediate release: May 2, 2023
Contact: laura@cybertrustmass.org
BOSTON — Today, CyberTrust Massachusetts announces the newest addition to the leadership team: Meghan Martinez, who will serve as Director of Cyber Range Programs. In this role, Meghan will be responsible for the successful adoption of advanced cyber range technology across CyberTrust member colleges, and developing innovative programming that can meet the needs of cybersecurity students and corporate audiences throughout the Commonwealth.
Martinez has over a decade of experience in the cyber security space, including both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she worked at MassMutual, first as a Digital Forensics and Incident Response Lead, charged with managing their cyber incident response function; and for the last eight months, as a CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow, working on public policy and corporate engagement solutions to bring digital equity to Black households across the country. Prior to this, she served as the Cyber Terrorism Program Manager with the Rhode Island State Computer Crimes Unit, co-leading the Rhode Island Joint Cyber Task Force (RI JCTF), the state’s cyber incident response function. Already recognizing the need to attract diverse talent as early as possible, she implemented statewide cybersecurity education initiatives in secondary and higher education, partnering with the RI JCTF members to provide equipment, mentoring, and outreach to students throughout the state.
CyberTrust Massachusetts CEO, Pete Sherlock said, “CyberTrust was founded to address the state’s cybersecurity workforce shortage by filling the opportunity gap and making these career pathways available to so many more individuals. Meghan’s work has been at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital equity and diverse workforce development, and that speaks directly to our mission at CyberTrust. We’re excited to have her on board.”
“My own non-traditional path to cyber evolved into this great passion to not just meet the needs of the business community, but also to ensure that we can provide historically marginalized communities with in-demand, high wage jobs,” said Martinez. “By seeking to get at the root in this industry through partnerships with higher education and business, we here at CyberTrust are creating previously under-realized opportunities for sustainable career paths, and I’m thrilled to join this growing collaborative and excited for the potential to change the Massachusetts economy in a meaningful way.”
Meghan’s career began in social services in various roles with Family Services of Rhode Island, providing and managing clinical assessments, crisis intervention, and emergency screening and triage. This victim advocacy work evolved into public safety, when Meghan transitioned to her work with the Rhode Island State Police, and later as an Information Security Analyst with FM Global. She is passionate about breaking down barriers to entry into the cyber workforce and supporting mentorship and sponsorship for historically marginalized communities.
Meghan holds two master’s degrees, including her M.S. in Cybersecurity Intelligence from Utica University and M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island (URI). She is a GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) and Incident Handler (GCIH), as well as GIAC Certified in Cloud Security Essentials (GCLD). She also holds her Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from (ISC)2. Meghan earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rhode Island.
###
ABOUT CYBERTRUST MASSACHUSETTS
CyberTrust Massachusetts is a new non-profit committed to growing and diversifying the cyber workforce, creating opportunities, and securing local entities. Leveraging state and federal startup funding, CyberTrust enhances cyber education programs with hands-on experiential learning—using a state-of-the-art Cyber Range and placing students in a live SOC that also serves local governments, nonprofits and small businesses. To collaborate on this ambitious agenda, CyberTrust is forming a consortium of committed companies and colleges—anchored in community colleges and state universities, where programs can best reach underrepresented groups. More info at www.cybertrustmass.org and info@cybertrustmass.org.