On Nov. 8, National STEM Day, we celebrate the people who work in the innovative career fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Together, these disciplines make up the complex, ever-evolving field of STEM.
These STEM fields are vital to Peraton—and the United States. In a world where threats are often invisible, coming over Wi-Fi and the internet, we must have qualified people focused on keeping us safe from cyber threats. Before talented individuals can join our team, they need education and training in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Peraton is doing its part to develop the next generation of STEM professionals by partnering with universities and organizations that help provide pathways to an exciting, gratifying STEM career.
Every year, Peraton partners with Dakota State University (DSU) to host the annual CybHER event, an effort designed to increase the number of women in STEM programs. CybHER brought more than 100 female, middle-school aged students together to take part in learning about STEM, and they got to meet women who are leading the charge to create new cyber tools and solutions. Three of those students earned scholarships to advance their education. Peraton also collaborates with DSU to continue cyber research by federal agencies, including the U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Army Cyber Command.
Peraton also supports college students who are ready to begin their professional careers. In spring of 2024, Peraton teamed up with George Mason University (GMU), Virginia’s largest public research institution, to award 10 GMU Honors College students the Peraton Scholarship in National Security. Through the scholarship, Peraton financially supported GMU tuition payments for these promising students who want to solve real-world national security problems.
We also support the growth of community STEM leaders. This summer, Peraton met with Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, regional leaders, and academics to increase interest in cyber work across the region. Participants discussed strategies to improve cyber work at the local, state, and federal levels and addressed why an employment gap exists in cyber fields.
Beyond these relationships, Peraton is actively promoting STEM careers through its own thought leadership and marketing efforts.
One such effort is our “Everyday Extraordinary” podcast, which highlights Peraton employees’ incredible efforts and their impactful work. In episode two of Peraton’s podcast, Scott Cooper hosts a conversation with Senior Advisor of Cyber Operations Cleo Brown and Technical Director Jeff Berlet, from our Cyber Mission sector. The podcast dives into solving cybersecurity issues and advice they have for aspiring cyber workers.
Brown, an advocate for the next generation of STEM workers, said, “When you love what you do, you build confidence in your ability to hone your skills becoming competent in your chosen STEM field. I look for opportunities to offer encouraging words, advice, and techniques to leverage when building confidence and competence in cybersecurity fields.”
Her interest in STEM began when she was a child. She grew up watching 80’s and 90’s sci-fi movies, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Legend and Labyrinth, and Lawn Mower Man. They sparked her imagination. Early in her career, she served in the U.S. Army as a communication officer and information system manager installing, operating, and maintaining computer networks. She also focused on information assurance and network defense.
After that, she was selected as one of the first members of the Cyber Defense Army unit. She learned to implement software updates and patches, and ultimately to defend Army networks. This resulted in her final military position: a cyber warfare officer.
When Brown retired, she joined Peraton as a cyber operations planner focused on cloud security. While working, she received a Cloud Computing Architecture graduate degree. Now, she is a senior enterprise and cloud computing architect/engineer advisor.
Brown enjoys sharing her knowledge; she recently presented to Augusta University’s Women in CyberSecurity chapter to encourage students to consider cybersecurity as a career. She shared her story, offered perspectives on Army cloud initiatives, and cybersecurity lessons.
There are thousands of exceptional Peraton STEM employees to recognize, on STEM Day and every day, who make an impact on the next generation of STEM professionals.
