Category Archives: Top Secret Colonials

2025 Three Rivers Info Security Symposium (TRISS) Conference

The Three Rivers Information Security Symposium (TRISS) is an annual, single-day event featuring multiple presentation tracks. It serves as a vital meeting ground for Pittsburgh’s leading IT and security professionals, enabling them to exchange knowledge and foster collaborative partnerships.

This symposium is an entirely volunteer-driven effort, dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging cooperation, and strengthening expertise within the regional information security sector.

TRISS is proudly sponsored and organized by a coalition of influential local organizations, such as:

  • RMU’s Top Secret Colonials (TSC)
  • Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)
  • Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
  • Infragard Pittsburgh Members Alliance (IPMA)
  • Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

Furthermore, the symposium shows its commitment to the future of the field by offering a robust education and scholarship program.

RMU students and faculty at TRISS 2025

The conference attracts key experts and executives from major Pittsburgh institutions, including U.S. Steel, PNC, PPG, Wesco, UPMC, and others. A commitment to quality is upheld through a merit-based speaker selection process, guaranteeing a diverse and unbiased program.

This year, 30 students from RMU were in attendance! The symposium provided them with a truly great learning and networking opportunity, allowing them to immerse themselves in the latest industry trends, cutting-edge research, and practical defense strategies presented by leading security professionals.

TRISS 2025 was a fantastic success, underscoring the vital connection between local industry groups and the next generation of cybersecurity talent. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

TSC Sponsored – Industry Presentation from Nerds to Go

Join Top Secret Colonials for a Special Industry Presentation on Wednesday, November 12th at 4:30, following the TSC meeting in the Wheatley Atrium. 

Representatives from Nerds to Go, a division of True North, will be visiting campus to share insights into the technology driving their companies. Speakers include Zachary Prytash, Trey Trucksis, and CEO Chuck Bailey, who will discuss their work and the exciting innovations shaping their field.

They’ll also be actively recruiting for internship and full-time job opportunities, so this is a great chance to connect and explore potential career paths.

RMU Ready Points will be awarded to attending students. Pizza will be served.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and network. 

Advanced Persistent Threat Presentation by Lucas Franklin

Please join us for a speaker series presentation sponsored by the Top Secret Colonials. The presentation will be given by Lucas Franklin and will be focused on Advanced Persistent Threats.

  • Date: October 15th
  • Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
  • Place: Wheatley Atrium

Lucas Franklin will be sharing insights from a notable cyber incident he encountered involving suspected Russian advanced persistent threats (APTs) during his tenure at #1 Cochran. Prior to pursuing a graduate degree, Lucas served as the head of cybersecurity at #1 Cochran, where he led efforts to safeguard the organization’s digital infrastructure.

Lucas Franklin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from IUP in 2022. Shortly after, he joined the IT department at #1 Cochran, where he rapidly took on key responsibilities including overseeing major acquisitions, leading technical training initiatives, and managing cybersecurity operations. In 2024, he departed the company to pursue a Master’s in Cybersecurity at WGU.

Dr. Steve Mancini – Best Podcast Host!

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The CIS department is thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to our very own Dr. Steve Mancini on his recent achievement! Dr. Mancini has been recognized as the Best Podcast Host in the prestigious 2025 Communicator Awards for his engaging and insightful podcast, The Italian Impact.

This well-deserved win highlights Dr. Mancini’s dedication and passion for fostering connections both within our university and the local community. Through The Italian Impact Podcast, he skillfully brings attention to a diverse range of topics that resonate with students and faculty right here on campus, while also reaching out to the vibrant Italian community in Pittsburgh and beyond.

We encourage everyone to tune in and experience the award-winning podcast for themselves! You can find The Italian Impact Podcast on all your favorite listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also learn more and explore past episodes on the official website: https://italianimpactweekly.com/.

To see the details of Dr. Mancini’s award and all of the winners, click HERE

Let’s all celebrate Dr. Mancini’s fantastic accomplishment and continue to support his wonderful work with The Italian Impact Podcast! Congratulations, Dr. Mancini!


Top Secret Colonials Donate to the Craig Paullet Making a Difference Scholarship

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Members of the Top Secret Colonials (TSC) collectively donated $655 to a scholarship fund at RMU. Pictured left are members of TSC presenting a check to club advisor Dr. Karen Paullet at the club’s annual trip to a Pirate Game.

The donation was made to the Craig Paullet Making a Difference Scholarship which is dedicated to helping students in computing majors who are academically talented and economically challenged. The scholarship fund honors Dr. Paullet’s late brother, Craig Paullet, by making a difference in the lives of students who might not otherwise be able to pursue their educational goals. If you would like to give to the fund, you can donate here.

Members and alumni of the club had fun cheering on the Bucs on Friday, May 2, 2025, all while making a difference for future computing students. Thank you, TSC, for this generous donation!

Come Support the Top Secret Colonials Fundraiser at All Star Sports Bar & Grill

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The Top Secret Colonials will be hosting a fundraiser from Monday, March 31st through Saturday, April 5th from 4:00 pm to close at the All Star Sports Bar in Robinson located at 6302 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Funds will be used to support the club. 

The owner of the All Star Sports Bar and Grill has agreed to give TSC 10% of all sales from now until April 30th with receipt. If you stop during the fundraising week please remember to drop off your itemized receipt to the club members at the table before you leave. 

There will also be prize baskets, signed Steelers and Penguins items and gift card raffles, plus food and drink specials each night!

Spread the word, and stop by if you have a chance! 

Flipper Zero Lab, presented by TSC

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Join the Top Secret Colonials (TSC) for a  lab and demonstration of the Flipper Zero, a handheld pentester-like tool that can read, write, and emulate NFC and RFID tags, analyze and produce signals, use and read infrared data, and much more that can be installed onto the device through forums like GitHub.

Join us in Wheatley 110 this Wednesday, 4/24, at 4:30 as we demonstrate what the Flipper Zero can do.

Ryan Sydlic will present on ISC2

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Ryan Sydlic from ISC2 will be holding a presentation at 4:30 pm in the Wheatley Atrium. His presentation will be an informative session on ISC2 and the benefits of being a member. SET credit will be awarded and pizza will be served. This event is sponsored by the Top Secret Colonials (TSC).

Ryan Sydlik joined Telos in 2019, and serves as a security engineer. He has 10 years’ experience in information technology including cloud computing and cybersecurity in the government, healthcare and financial sectors.

Ryan is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), AWS Certified Solutions Architect and is ITIL certified. He has a graduate degree from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.

We hope you can join us for this event!

Dr. Parul Yadav to present on Cybersecurity and AI Implications

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Dr. Parul Yadav, RMU’s Spring 2024 Rooney Scholar, will be presenting on Cybersecurity and AI Implications in the Wheatley Atrium on Wednesday, February 28th from 4:30-5:30pm. Students will receive 1 hour of SET credit. Pizza will be served.