On March 20th, SFISSA held its third in-person members’ meeting of 2024, and it was an incredible evening hosted for the very first time at Miami Dade College (MDC). As part of our commitment to rotating events through the tri-county area, this venue marked a meaningful step toward engaging more of our vibrant South Florida cybersecurity community.
We were genuinely thrilled to see such a diverse crowd — students eager to learn, faculty and alumni proud to represent MDC, and practitioners from across the industry coming together to share ideas, insights, and a common passion for information security.
The night kicked off with two standout talks:
- Juan Carlos Hernandez, PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor at 24By7Security, walked us through the key changes in PCI DSS 4.0.1, with practical tips on avoiding common pitfalls. With the March 31, 2025 compliance deadline looming, his insights were timely and actionable for organizations of all sizes.
- Dr. Domingo Castillo, CISO and adjunct professor at MDC, explored the world of AI ethics and privacy, sharing real-world scenarios and tips on how to avoid accidental data leaks and security mishaps in AI-driven tools. The audience was highly engaged, and the conversation sparked lots of thoughtful discussion.
After the main event, we kept the energy high by heading just around the corner to Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine for an informal networking session. It’s safe to say this portion was just as impactful — plenty of new connections were made, ideas were exchanged, and collaborations were sparked over delicious food and lively conversation.
We’d like to extend our deepest thanks to MDC for hosting us in Room 1245 of Building 1. The space was fantastic, and we look forward to returning in the future. And of course, thank you to everyone who attended — you are what makes the SFISSA community so special.
Stay tuned for details about our next meeting. Until then, keep learning, keep connecting, and keep securing!