About the Utah Cyber Alliance
Building a united front to protect Utah organizations from evolving cyber threats through collaboration, education, and shared resources.
Our Mission
The Utah Cyber Alliance is a 501(c)(6) trade association dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity across Utah. Governed by an independent board ensuring vendor-neutral guidance and community-first focus, we facilitate collaboration between government entities, school districts, businesses of all sizes, cybersecurity vendors, VARs/resellers, and policy experts to share best practices, advocate for resources, implement critical legislation, and build collective resilience against cyber threats.
Our Vision
We envision a Utah where every organization—from the smallest rural school district to growing businesses and the largest state agencies—has access to the resources, expertise, and collaborative support needed to defend against sophisticated cyber threats. Through our independent, vendor-neutral trade association model, we aim to make Utah a national model for cybersecurity excellence.
Our Values
We are guided by collaboration over competition, transparency in our operations, inclusivity across all stakeholder groups, and a relentless focus on practical, actionable outcomes. We believe that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and that together we are stronger than any of us alone.
Founded to Fill a Critical Gap
Recognizing the Need
Policy experts and cybersecurity professionals across Utah began identifying a critical gap: while the Utah Cyber Center excelled at state-level coordination, many organizations—local governments, school districts, and businesses alike—lacked access to peer networks, curated vendors, and practical implementation support for cybersecurity challenges.
School Cybersecurity Amendments Pass
The Utah Legislature passes the School Cybersecurity Amendments (originally introduced as HB 42, later merged into HB 44), mandating new security requirements for all K-12 school districts. The complexity of implementation highlights the need for collaborative support structures.
Founding Conversations
A group of policy experts, including Jeff and Greg Hartley, along with representatives from the VAR community in the Silicon Slopes area, begin informal discussions about creating an independent trade association to bridge cybersecurity efforts across Utah's public and private sectors.
UCA Officially Founded
The Utah Cyber Alliance is formally established as a 501(c)(6) trade association, governed by an independent board with a mission to complement existing entities like the Utah Cyber Center while providing community, resources, and implementation support for organizations across Utah.
Inaugural Event
UCA hosts its first major event: the HB 44 (formerly HB 42) Collaborative Forum, bringing together school district IT leaders, vendors, and policy experts to tackle implementation challenges together.
Our Founding Board
UCA is governed by an independent board of cybersecurity professionals, policy experts, and technology leaders committed to strengthening cybersecurity across Utah.
Jeff Hartley
Co-Founder & Board Chair
A veteran cybersecurity policy expert with over 20 years of experience advising government entities on digital security strategy and legislative implementation.
Greg Hartley
Co-Founder & Vice Chair
Brings deep expertise in public sector technology procurement and has been instrumental in shaping Utah's approach to government IT modernization.
Sarah Mitchell
Treasurer
CEO of a Lehi-based cybersecurity VAR specializing in solutions for organizations across Utah. Passionate about making enterprise-grade security accessible to smaller public entities and businesses.
Dr. Michael Chen
Secretary
Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at Utah Valley University with research focus on K-12 cyber risk management and workforce development.
Rachel Torres
Board Member
Former school district CTO who led one of Utah's first comprehensive K-12 cybersecurity programs. Now consults with districts statewide on security posture.
David Blackwood
Board Member
Retired law enforcement cyber specialist with Utah DPS. Brings critical incident response and threat intelligence expertise to the alliance.
Our Independent Trade Association Model
As a 501(c)(6) trade association with an independent board and diverse sponsorship model, UCA bridges the gap between organizational needs and cybersecurity solutions through a balanced, vendor-neutral framework.
For All Members
- Peer networking with cybersecurity professionals across government, education, and the private sector
- Practical resources tailored to Utah's regulatory and operational environment
- Event access for learning, collaboration, and community building
- Vendor-neutral guidance on cybersecurity frameworks and solutions
- Collective advocacy for Utah's cybersecurity priorities
Organizations can further support UCA's mission through tiered sponsorship.
UCA works alongside existing entities like the Utah Cyber Center, focusing on community building, implementation support, and resources for organizations across Utah. Our independent board structure and diverse sponsorship model ensure vendor-neutral guidance. We coordinate rather than duplicate efforts, ensuring resources are maximized across Utah's cyber ecosystem.
Our Funding Model
- Public Sector Membership: Free for all government and education employees to remove barriers to participation
- Industry Membership: $50/year for vendors, consultants, and private sector professionals who support the community they serve
- Sponsorships: Organizational sponsors at Premier, Core, and Contributor levels, including our founding sponsor Harborcoat
Join Our Founding Members
Be part of the movement to strengthen cybersecurity across Utah. Whether you're protecting a school district, securing a business, or providing security solutions, there's a place for you in UCA.