TROY – Information Assurance Center Director Nan Poulios is inviting Walsh College students from all degree programs to participate in the second bi-annual Consulting Challenge. Self-chosen teams of four students will be given a business case and must develop and present solutions in 24 hours beginning at noon on November 10 at the Walsh College Troy Campus.

The teams will be judged on the quality of their solutions presented to an esteemed panel of judges consisting of business and security leaders from Ernst & Young. Prizes will be awarded for the best presentations.

The Consulting Challenge is a noteworthy point on a student?s resume, and Ernst & Young will be on the lookout for potential job applicants. Students in all degree programs and majors may participate.

An information session will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd or Monday, April 7th from 5-6 pm in room 121 at the TROY CAMPUS to assist in team formation and to provide more detail on the format. Attendance at these information session is not required.

The ?Consulting Challenge? is a simulation designed to give students a peek at the world of security and business consulting. Students will be given the business case to analyze, along with other resources to use, in order to develop their solutions. Each team will have 24 hours to formulate their solutions and present their findings. ?This competition will give participants an opportunity to gain expertise and hands-on experience in consulting and help them understand how consultants work with clients,? said Poulios.

Any graduate or undergraduate student who is currently enrolled this winter or spring semester may participate. Students will need to form their own teams of four. The first eight teams to respond will be eligible. While information assurance is the focus of the business case, a variety of talent, skills and knowledge will be needed to compete. There are no other qualifications for participation.

The Framework

Eight teams will be given a fictional business case and serving as an information security consulting company, will prepare a sales presentation to the judges acting as the potential clients. Teams will be judged on three items:

Presentation Style: (25 percent)

Presentation Content: (50 percent)

Answers to questions: (25 percent)

Teams have up to 20 minutes to make their pitch and 10 additional minutes for questions. If the time for Q&A runs more or less than 10 minutes, teams will not be penalized. However, only 20 minutes will be allowed for the presentation. In addition, all team members must be involved in the presentation.

For more information contact Nan Poulios at (248) 823-1369.

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