NJIT CISO Sharon Kelley Named Finalist for 2026 SC Awards Resilient CISO Award
Event summary
- Sharon Kelley, CISO at NJIT, named a finalist for the 2026 SC Awards Resilient CISO Award.
- Kelley recognized for building a resilient IT security team through mentorship and real-world operational exposure.
- NJIT established a student-powered Security Operations Center (SOC) in partnership with TekStream.
- SC Awards Reception and winner announcement scheduled for March 24, 2026, during RSAC in San Francisco.
The big picture
The recognition highlights the growing emphasis on cybersecurity resilience in higher education, where complex threat landscapes demand both technological and human capital solutions. TekStream's partnership with NJIT underscores the strategic importance of integrating workforce development with operational security, a trend likely to gain traction as cybersecurity talent shortages persist.
What we're watching
- Workforce Development
- How NJIT's student-powered SOC model will influence broader cybersecurity talent pipelines.
- Industry Recognition
- Whether Kelley's recognition will elevate NJIT's profile in higher education cybersecurity.
- Strategic Partnerships
- The pace at which TekStream expands its Whole-of-State cybersecurity approach.
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