ACADA Educational Workshops Classroom Series

In every organization we need to understand that everyone has a role to play with diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). This session defines the concepts of DEIB and what we can all do as allies and accomplices in creating safe and brave spaces.

We discuss the benefits of DEIB and how we need to shift our perspectives to be able to call out and call in when microaggressions happen in the workplace.

We explore the individual roles we each play in allyship and what roles each of us have to play in the workplace to enhance inclusion.

Session Goals:

1. Define the concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB).
2. Explore the roles of allies and accomplices in creating safe and brave spaces.
3. Discuss the benefits of DEIB in the workplace.
4. Learn how to identify and address microaggressions.
5. Encourage participants to reflect on and understand their role in allyship and beyond.

Canadian industry faces growing risks and costs when responding to complex RFPs.

The sources of these challenges include:

• Long and unpredictable timelines
• Large volumes of complex documents in proposals
• Fixed price requirements on volatile commodities
• The cost and risks of administering social programs

This workshop briefly discusses these risks and explores strategies successful bidders employ to overcome these challenges. Drawing on EXA's 35 years of experience, the workshop offers real-world case studies showing how successful bidders win large, complex RFPs.

This leadership workshop is ideally suited for executives and leaders who respond to large, complex RFPs.

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is pushing forward with its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Under the CMMC program, contractors who handle sensitive government information must obtain third-party certification that their IT systems have implemented certain cybersecurity requirements, or the contractor will not be awarded/cannot participate on any contracts. The US DoD expects to publish the regulations implementing CMMC in early 2024, and they could begin showing up in most DoD contracts by this time next year.

The CMMC program isn't a US-only issue, either. The US DoD does business with companies across the globe, and they are all having to address CMMC. In addition, the governments of Canada, South Korea, and several other nations are implementing their own CMMC-aligned programs. As a result, the CMMC program will impact companies across the globe, especially defense and aerospace companies. The handwriting is on the wall. It is time to take the CMMC program seriously before it impacts your company's ability to win, and even bid on, contracts.

Implementing the CMMC requirements takes time (typically 12-18 months). That means that time is of the essence. Each passing day brings us closer to companies needing CMMC certifications. Often, the hardest part is getting started. This session will give you the techniques you need to get started.

This workshop will help you understand how to get from zero to done, including:

• Understanding Federal Contract Information and Controlled Unclassified Information
• Identifying the information you should have before you get started
• Learning what goes into, and the differences between, policies, procedures, and plans
• Deciphering the CMMC requirements to ensure your organization is meeting the requirements
• Building Plans of Action and Milestones, and closing those gaps
• Collecting and organizing the evidence the CMMC assessors need to see, and
• Creating a well-governed cybersecurity program