Livelihood Security in an Era of Cyber Insecurity and AI

Welcome to the Brandeis Global Cyber Security Conference For Minority-Owned/Led Small/Medium Size Institutions: Businesses, Nonprofits, Startups, Philanthropies and Charities

Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2025

Venue: The Center for Global Development and Sustainability, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street Waltham, Massachusetts, USA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that Cyber insecurity and AI are the new social justice concerns of our time. Although these technologies offer several advantages, they also create unfavorable social/economic conditions which reinforce biased narratives and exploitation of the vulnerable, (Roberts et al., 2024). Forbes posits that these systems also pose a threat to livelihood security by facilitating capabilities that could be abused by malicious actors and consequently reinforcing inequity in social/economic outcomes. Such attacks and compromises, according to Forbes, accounted for $2.7 billion in losses in 2022. The Brandeis Global Cyber Security Conference for Small/Medium Minority-owned/led Institutions: Businesses, Startups, Nonprofits, Philanthropies, and Charities seeks to assemble individuals, institutions, industry, academics, students, and leading experts in the field to examine these concerns and explore solutions. The conference will examine the social justice implications of cyber insecurity and provide delegates who have little or limited technical expertise with essential contemporary cybersecurity and AI knowledge and practical skills to safeguard themselves and their organization. The conference will also feature keynotes, high-level plenary, and parallel sessions focused on addressing critical debates and engaging discussions on current/emerging policies, strategies, and research on threats, tools, and funding opportunities for instituting resilience against cyber-attacks.

Conference participants in these sessions will learn about identity-based cyber threats, innovation in cybersecurity defense, and effective mitigation strategies as well as emerging tools and research on AI systems designed/developed to enhance livelihood security and resilience. Also, delegates will engage policy officials and funding institutions on initiatives regarding support systems for minority-owned/led institutions. The conference panels will also offer hands-on training/interactive sessions on current cyber threats and practical solutions, as well as free personalized consultations with cybersecurity experts. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with policy/industry experts, and peers and foster collaboration. By attending, you are signing up for an exciting journey with enhanced awareness of cyber justice tailored to the unique needs/skills of minorities, and minority-owned/led institutions, thereby promoting diversity and inclusion within the cybersecurity field. Delegates will learn how to integrate and elevate cybersecurity knowledge and capabilities for enhanced security, resilience, social justice, and sustainability. The Conference Organizing Team looks forward to seeing you at the Global Cyber Security Conference for Minority Owned/led Institutions at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University in the spring! Delegates will receive a certificate of participation.