Élan Joins MxD to Educate and Prepare U.S. Manufacturers for Evolving Cybersecurity Compliance and Threats
(CHICAGO) December 15, 2021 – MxD announced today that Laura Élan, expert in cybersecurity and software, has been named as director of MxD Cyber: The National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing. Élan will serve as senior director of cybersecurity for the full range of MxD’s cybersecurity projects and initiatives in support of the annual Strategic Investment Plan and will manage MxD’s Cybersecurity Steering Committee.
“We are thrilled to have Laura join our team and lead our growing portfolio of cyber initiatives,” said Chandra Brown, CEO of MxD. “MxD Cyber is accelerating the security of the manufacturing supply chain at a pivotal moment – taking advantage of heightened awareness of where our goods are produced and transported as well as the increased prominence of ransomware attacks on business of all sizes. Laura’s leadership will enable us to foster a community dedicated to robust cybersecurity.”
Prior to joining MxD in 2021, Élan was responsible for Baxter Healthcare’s regulatory strategy for medical software, cybersecurity, interoperability, and artificial intelligence/machine learning-enabled software. Laura completed her undergraduate work in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois – Urbana. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ill. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois and holds the RAC credential from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
“Cyber threats affect small and large manufacturers alike, requiring tools and resources at every stage of cybersecurity preparedness,” said Élan. “I am energized to join MxD and to bolster the resilience of the U.S. manufacturing supply chain through a range of MxD Cyber projects – from research and development to a first-of-its-kind marketplace for cyber assessments and tools.”
MxD was designated the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2018 and since then has established a Cybersecurity Steering Committee composed of experts across industry, government, and academia to help guide its efforts in this arena. MxD also recently released The Hiring Guide: Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, which identifies 247 cybersecurity-related job roles in manufacturing and details the skill sets, career paths, and education and training needed to prepare American workers for these jobs.
In 2022, MxD will launch the MxD Cyber Marketplace, an online tool that enables manufacturers of all sizes to identify weak points and receive feedback through the completion of an assessment. The marketplace then suggests proven cyber solutions tailored to address vulnerabilities that were identified. Interested stakeholders can register interest in a free assessment for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and other cybersecurity protocols by filling out a form: mxdusa.org/marketplace. Participants are included by invitation only and the free assessment is available for a limited time.
About MxD
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) is where innovative manufacturers go to forge their futures. In partnership with the Department of Defense, MxD equips U.S. factories with the digital tools, cybersecurity, and workforce expertise needed to begin building every part better than the last. As a result, our more than 300 partners increase their productivity, win more business, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing as designated by DoD.