💻 Cybersecurity 🔒 & Lean Startup Methodology 🚀

Join our local cybersecurity community for an interactive evening where you'll learn essential security tools and techniques used by professionals. No experience necessary. Free and open to the public. Just bring your curiosity and laptop!

## ​This Month: Cybersecurity Meets Lean Startup

This month we tackle the question every security entrepreneur faces: “What problems are actually worth solving?” and "Which ones are most likely to work as business ventures?"

​We'll combine the lean startup methodology used by tech startups to explore and test business ideas. We'll apply these best practices to the cybersecurity space, practicing the filters and frameworks which clarify opportunities, ideas, and resources, and learn how to vet an idea thoroughly before investing valuable time and money in building solutions.

​This session will be facilitated by our resident tech startup and market research guru Michael Ryan Norton. Michael brings 15 years of experience working with tech startups and scaleups across many verticals, as well as giant tech corps, corporate innovation, and delivering entrepreneurial education.

## ​What You’ll Walk Away With:

​✅ Methods for discovering cybersecurity opportunities
✅ Frameworks for evaluating which ideas are worth your time
✅ AI research techniques for market validation
✅ Risk assessment tools to avoid common pitfalls
✅ Real examples from successful cybersecurity companies
✅ Connections with other local security entrepreneurs

## ​Who Should Attend:

• ​Security professionals exploring entrepreneurship
• ​Entrepreneurs interested in the cybersecurity market
• ​Product managers looking for their next opportunity
• ​Students and professionals assessing the job market
• ​Literally anyone curious about building tech businesses

​This isn’t a lecture (well, just a little bit) - it’s mostly a hands-on workshop and interactive session where you’ll work through real exercises and get feedback from peers.

Why Join Our Community?
In today's rapidly evolving threat landscape, staying informed isn't just beneficial—it's essential. The High Desert Cybersecurity Meetup brings together diverse perspectives and expertise to tackle the challenges of modern digital security.

• Connect with local professionals spanning industries from healthcare to defense, startups to government.
• Learn practical skills and strategies from those on the frontlines of cybersecurity.
• Contribute your knowledge and experience to strengthen our collective defense.

What we're about
We're building a robust community to strengthen our region's knowledge and practice around security, including:

Monthly Meetups
Engaging presentations on topics ranging from threat hunting to building security culture, followed by open discussions and networking opportunities.

Hands-On Workshops
Regular skill-building sessions where you can practice the latest techniques in a supportive environment.

Mentorship Opportunities
Connect with experienced professionals or guide those newer to the field.

Job Networking
Connecting our members actively hiring or looking for new opportunities in the cybersecurity space.