CloudCover donates $500,000 to name Global Cybersecurity Institute conference center

CloudCover, an automated intelligence-driven cybersecurity platform, has made a $500,000 gift to name the conference center in RIT’s new Global Cybersecurity Institute (GCI).

The CloudCover Conference Center serves as a central space for cybersecurity-related events and meetings with industry, students, government, and organizations. It is part of the GCI, a 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that opened on campus in 2020. With the institute, RIT is cementing its position as one of the best places in the world for cybersecurity education, training, and research.

“RIT is one of the top cybersecurity schools, and one of the key reasons for our support is our appreciation of the holistic approach they’re taking to a very complex field,” said Stephen Cardot, CEO and founder of CloudCover. “The Global Cybersecurity Institute is where people from many different disciplines, industries, and government entities are collaborating to expand cybersecurity knowledge—and apply that knowledge in the real world. Our investment will help us continue to partner with best-in-class cyber education and build relationships with tomorrow’s cybersafety leaders.”

The conference center will be used in hosting the international finals for the offense-based Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition, the Great Lakes Security Day conference, and other events. It will also be used as classroom space and for extracurricular student events.

The center can be used as one large space, with a capacity of more than 150 people. It can also be separated into three smaller spaces. The room is equipped with the latest in multi-media technology for interactive presentations and discussions. An adjoining courtyard also offers additional outdoor entertaining space.

“CloudCover and the GCI share a strong commitment to making our digital world and our digital selves safer,” said Steve Hoover, executive director of the GCI. “We are so appreciative of the company’s support for the GCI and are excited to offer this new conference space for unique cybersecurity discussion and innovation.”

CloudCover’s support for the GCI stems from its mission to champion a smarter and re-imagined approach to cybersecurity.

CloudCover’s platform offers real-time extended threat detection and response through a patented, math-based, risk-aware security orchestration automation and response system and  method. The company believes the best way to make strides toward a more cybersecure and safer industry starts with high-quality, real-world training and education of the next generation of IT professionals.

The CloudCover Conference Center is located on the first floor of GCI, across the hall from the GCI Cyber Range and Training Center, a virtual and physical lab for simulating network cyberattacks and problem-solving scenarios. The range is being used to demonstrate, explore and train professionals on the latest cybersecurity technologies in a fully immersive simulation of complex and realistic large scale systems and networks.

Around the corner from the conference center is the Cybersecurity Experience Center, where visitors and students can interact with hands-on demonstrations of the history and the future of cybersecurity. The GCI has two other floors, devoted to cybersecurity research and the nationally-recognized undergraduate and graduate computing security degree programs.

This gift is part of Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, a $1 billion university fundraising effort, the largest in university history. This blended campaign seeks support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies. The campaign has raised $783 million to date.