The Security Industry Association (SIA) is now accepting applications for the Denis R. Hebert Identity Management Scholarship. This program, presented in partnership with the Center for Identity at the University of Texas at Austin, will offer two $5,000 scholarships for SIA members to help further their education in the field of identity management.

The scholarship was named after Hebert, a member of SIA’s board of directors and immediate past chairman of the board, serving as chair from 2016 to 2018. Hebert also serves as president of Feenics Inc.

“I am thrilled and honored to be affiliated with this special SIA scholarship program,” Hebert said. “Identity management is a foundational security component that helps mitigate current and future identity threats, protect the privacy of individuals and enterprises and secure critical assets — it is essential that we continue building on our knowledge of this field and promote innovation and advancement in the creation, convergence and use of identity management security solutions.”

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.

“We are grateful for Denis’ leadership in the security industry and applaud the impact he has had on SIA’s service to our members in the area of identity management, including through the development of many high quality education, government relations and standards offerings,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “SIA is proud to help students and security professionals grow in their careers in this critical field and looks forward to recognizing two honorees with the 2020 Hebert Scholarship.”

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,” said Suzanne Barber, director of the Center for Identity. “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. 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.