By Jamie Sapp | Editor-in-ChiefWith October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, there is no better way to recognize the importance of cybersecurity than at Cyber Georgia.This year’s Cyber Georgia began Oct. 12-13 in the Education Commons at Augusta University. With cyber threats hitting Augusta like a “tsunami,” the agenda of the program focused on global cyber threats and the preparation for cyber attacks in public health.Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, who serves as Commander of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, attended the program as the keystone speaker on Fri., Oct. 13.Guests included former U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Gretchen Caughman; and U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA.In a press conference, Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone answered questions from media organizations relating to the impact of cybersecurity and cyber education in Augusta, Georgia., and other local areas.Nakasone said one of the key aspects is having a university and a research facility near a city that allows growth to occur, when asked about the approval of a new master’s program in the Cyber Institute at Augusta University.“Augusta University’s ability to guard our master’s degree program I think is critical for Augusta and certainly our efforts here in the area,” he said.When discussing in depth about recruiting and training people in cyber education, Nakasone said passion is important in the workforce.“Think about the people that we’re trying to attract in our workforce,” he said. “We have great people, and one of the things that we look for is that twinkle in the eye, that ability to look at a problem and say, ‘Hey, I may not get this right now, but overtime I am going to be relentless in getting after this problem.’” Contact Jamie Sapp at jsapp270@augusta.edu.