Welcome to the third annual Cybersecurity Across Disciplines (CyAD) Conferencehosted by the National Cybersecurity Training & Education Center (NCyTE)!
The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the most current version.
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This hands-on workshop presents a dual approach to AI implementation for cybersecurity applications, demonstrating both cloud-based frontier models and self-hosted local alternatives. Part 1: Vibe Coding with Frontier Models Experience the dynamic practice of "vibe coding" through live demonstrations using Cursor and Windsurf paired with leading cloud-based models (Claude Sonnet, ChatGPT, and Gemini). Participants will observe rapid prototyping techniques that leverage these powerful models to develop cybersecurity applications in real-time, showcasing how iterative, intuitive development approaches can quickly transform concepts into functional solutions. Part 2: Deploying Local LLMs for Enhanced Security Discover the advantages of running open-source models locally using Ollama with various front-ends (Open WebUI, MSTY.app, and LMStudio). We'll examine how models like Llama, Qwen, and Deepseek can serve various cybersecurity and critical infrastructure needs while providing enhanced privacy, offline capabilities, and freedom from usage restrictions. Technical Foundations Learn essential hardware requirements, setup procedures, and fundamental prompt engineering techniques for both development approaches. The workshop will showcase practical methods for creating custom knowledge bases by ingesting policy and technical documents, empowering participants to develop tailored solutions. NAIRR Resources Explore teaching and research resources available through the National AI Research Resource pilot program (nairrpilot.org) that complement both frontier and local model approaches. Comparative Advantages Understand when to leverage cloud-based frontier models versus local deployments, with special attention to considerations around data privacy, operational security, performance requirements, and implementation costs across various cybersecurity contexts.
This workshop delivers practical demonstrations and comprehensive resources for immediate implementation. Participants will gain the knowledge needed to select and deploy appropriate AI tools across educational, research, and industry contexts, with specific applications for critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity education.
Director of the Center for Cyber and AI and Associate Professor, California State University, San Bernardino
Dr. Vincent Nestler serves as Director of the Center for Cyber and AI and Associate Professor at California State University, San Bernardino. With over two decades of experience in network administration and security, he brings a wealth of practical and academic expertise to cybersecurity... Read More →
Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:45pm - 3:30pm CDT BLDG T-101/102
