SIA created the Denis R. Hebert Scholarship program to support the professional development goals of individual SIA members who specialize in identity management – a field involving the systematic control of access, authenticating users, securing assets and protecting privacy. Identity management encompasses many aspects of risk management, public policy, fraud prevention, privacy, data analysis, risk and governance, information technology and security.

The Center for Identity at the University of Texas at Austin works closely with its public-private partners, including corporations, state and federal government agencies and law enforcement, to deliver innovations for consumers, businesses and government that help them to better protect people’s identities. As a critical component of its mission, the center conducts research to better understand how emerging technology such as biometrics affects consumers and organizations alike and how standards and expectations of privacy are evolving.

“The Center for Identity recognizes that the success of an organization’s identity management and security policy and practices depends in large part on the personnel tasked with implementing them.  A well-qualified workforce is fundamental to addressing the complex and diverse challenges in securing sensitive identity information and protecting consumer privacy, while harnessing the power of data for good,” said Dr. Suzanne Barber, director of the Center for Identity. “The Center for Identity at the University of Texas has partnered with the School of Information to create a unique, interdisciplinary education and training program in information security to address this need and is proud to partner with the Security Industry Association to help promote development and professional growth in this critical field.”

Each applicant must be either a SIA student member or a full-time employee of a SIA member company and have 1-5 years of professional experience in the security industry or a verified plan of study in the field of access and identity management. Scholarship funds must be used toward post-secondary education programs, including training courses, accredited college courses, certifications or other credentialing programs related to identity management.

The 2020 application deadline for the Denis R. Hebert Identity Management Scholarship is Feb. 29, and awardees will be announced on March 17 at The Advance, held concurrently with ISC West 2020. Learn more about the program and apply here.