Cybersecurity is for EVERYONE

Posted June 1, 2026 by Prairie Wife -

When I think about “Cybersecurity,” I immediately imagine a guy slumped over a laptop in the back of a van with computer screens and blinking lights all around him. He’s talking into a headset and giving instructions to his teammate inside a building a few blocks away. As he rapidly types codes into the computer, you hear him exclaim, “We’re into the system now!”

So basically, what I’m saying is that I don’t feel like “Cybersecurity” really has anything to do with me… a 40-something mom of 5 living in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming, working as a media personality.

And I’m guessing that more than a few of you feel the same way as me…and we’re all wrong.

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, devices, and sensitive data from digital attacks, unauthorized access, and damage. It ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information by combining technology, processes, and user awareness. Source: www.cisa.gov

That seems like something we all need to know about!

My lack of Cybersecurity knowledge became apparent to me when my daughter was stalked by a 41-year-old woman. The stalker used technology to have access to not only my daughter and our family, but to impersonate her, other children, and a teacher in our town, and send messages to over a dozen other people (including other minors).

When all of this was happening, we did the best we could to follow the police recommendations to keep our family safe, but we simply couldn’t stay away from all technology… It’s not possible in today’s tech-riddled world.

After we could go public with our case, I became an advocate for children in Wyoming and began to take every opportunity I could to educate parents about the role that Cybersecurity needs to take in their everyday lives.

It’s not just parents who need to learn about Cybersecurity; it’s small business owners, school district employees, and anyone who uses technology. No matter how young or old you are, you need to learn how to keep yourself safe!

Thanks to Casper College you have a chance to do exactly that. The 2026 Rocky Mountain Cybersecurity Symposium (RMCS) offers a powerful convergence of innovation, education, and collaboration in the fight against cyber threats. Spanning four days, this hybrid event includes a cutting-edge pre-conference workshop followed by a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, breakout talks, and hands-on workshops across multiple topics and experience levels.

Whether you’re already a Cybersecurity expert, or like me, just beginning to realize how much you don’t know, this symposium has exactly what you need.

You can find the full schedule here, but I wanted to highlight a few sessions that were specifically designed for our community and interested me personally.

Human Hacked An exploration of how cybercriminals weaponize both online and offline services to target Wyoming citizens and organizations. Galen Gough CISO Jonah Bank

The Human Side of Cybercrime: Online Exploitation Trends Impacting Youth and Communities Drawing from prevention work with youth and communities across Wyoming, this session explores how offenders exploit digital environments to manipulate, coerce, and financially exploit victims. This session will help cybersecurity professionals better understand the human element of cybercrime and how awareness, prevention, and early intervention can reduce harm. Terri Markum Co-Founder and Executive Director of Uprising

You’re Not the Weak Link – You’re the Target: Rewriting the Human Side of Cybersecurity This session challenges the outdated notion that people are the “weak link” in cyber incidents and instead reveals how attackers deliberately exploit human psychology to succeed. Through a compelling blend of real-world storytelling and technical insight, this session breaks down modern attack methods (including AI-driven scams, phishing, and identity manipulation) while exposing the emotional triggers (urgency, authority, fear) that make even highly capable individuals vulnerable. Attendees will gain a practical, behavior-based defense framework (the “Hunter Method”) designed to help them recognize manipulation in real time, pause instinctive reactions, and effectively verify threats in both personal and professional environments. By reframing cybersecurity as the protection of human decisions rather than just systems, this talk equips audiences with the confidence, awareness, and simple, actionable tools needed to outmaneuver today’s most sophisticated attackers. Allie Hunter and Ben Halpert

Email Fraud Deep Dive: A tactical review of fraudulent emails from late 2024 and tools to combat evolving social engineering tactics. Debra Richardson

I am also honored to be the Keynote speaker, kicking off the first day of this event with a talk Learning the Hard Way: What Our Family’s Experience Taught Us About Online Safety, Advocacy, and Community Responsibility. In this keynote, I will share my family’s real-life experience with online harassment and stalking involving her daughter, and the lessons learned navigating safety, schools, and the legal system. I will also discuss how my family’s experience helped lead to legislative change in Wyoming, and how personal stories can be used to advocate for stronger laws, safer communities, and meaningful reform. This session highlights what families, educators, and communities can do when digital threats become real-world problems.

I’ll also be a part of Behind the Screen: A Multidisciplinary Response to Cyber Exploitation. This panel discussion brings together experts from multiple disciplines to examine how cyber exploitation cases unfold, from the moment a crime is discovered through investigation, victim support, and prevention efforts. Through perspectives from a parent advocate, law enforcement, child advocacy professionals, and prevention educators, participants will gain insight into the real-world impacts of cyber-enabled crimes and how collaborative responses can improve outcomes for victims. The session highlights how cybersecurity awareness intersects with victim services, investigations, and community prevention efforts.

Follow this link to purchase tickets to this event. Please NOTE that there are options to participate in two days of pre-conference classes.

If you’d like to participate in this symposium but are unable to pay the attendance fee, there are SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

Please keep in mind that this symposium is designed for all levels of tech expertise, and its goal is to offer a powerful convergence of innovation, education, and collaboration in the fight against cyber threats. This event includes 2 days of optional cutting-edge pre-conference workshops followed by a dynamic 2-day mix of keynote sessions, breakout talks, and hands-on workshops across two distinct tracks: Technical and Awareness.

Now is the time to stop being afraid and overwhelmed by all the tech dangers lurking behind your screens.

You CAN take action to keep yourself and your family safe; you are NOT helpless. I hope to see you at this year’s Rocky Mountain Cybersecurity Symposium, and please help us spread the word about this amazing opportunity by sharing with your community, coworkers, and even your local school emplyees!

Disclosure: Casper College compensated me for this blog post. I am honored to be serving as a speaker at the event featured in the article.

Cybersecurity is for EVERYONE

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