At the invitation of Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, Dr. Paul J. Maurer, President and CEO of Montreat College, was a featured speaker on the opening day of the 29th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, held May 21–23, 2025, at the Palace of the Senate in Madrid, Spain.
The event brought together 182 parliamentary delegates from 54 nations, including high-level government officials and global experts, to address pressing international security concerns. More than 4,200 others watched/listened via livestream from around the world. Speaking on the topic of cybersecurity, Dr. Maurer was one of 34 security and technology experts to present at the forum. Also speaking on cybersecurity were Senator José Antonio Monago Terraza of Spain, Senator Olivier Cadic of France, and Dr. Varun Suthra, Director of International Relations at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, a top-ranked university in India.
The two days of sessions opened with special remarks from Senator Francisco Javier Márquez, Senate of Spain; Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum; the Hon. Ruslan Stefanchuk, President of the Parliament of Ukraine; and the Hon. Matt Pottinger, Former Deputy National Security Advisor. In addition to cybersecurity, the forum’s agenda included sessions on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, digital currencies, illicit finance, human trafficking, and religious freedom.
Since founding the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in September 2014, former U.S. Congressman Robert Pittenger, who represented the Charlotte, North Carolina area for three terms, has chaired all 29 international gatherings. Under his leadership, the forum has become a trusted platform for advancing global cooperation on critical security issues. Previous forums have been held in Washington, D.C., Kenya, Panama, various locations throughout Europe and South America, and most recently in the Philippines.
A friend of Montreat College, Congressman Pittenger deepened his connection to the institution in 2024 by donating 37 original Congressional and Presidential items from his time in office to the L. Nelson Bell Library. This generous gift provides Montreat students with a tangible connection to American history and an opportunity to explore public service through a Christian worldview.
Dr. Maurer’s participation highlighted Montreat College’s role as a national and global leader in cybersecurity education, ethics, and workforce development. All attendees were presented with a copy of The Code of Honor: Embracing Ethics in Cybersecurity, a book co-written by President Maurer and Ed Skoudis, President of the SANS Technology Institute. The book and supporting curriculum were funded through a National Security Agency (NSA) grant and are being utilized by businesses, colleges, and universities nationwide. Under President Maurer’s leadership, Montreat College has developed a renowned cybersecurity program recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education designated by the NSA.
For more information on Montreat College’s cybersecurity program, visit www.montreat.edu/cyber.