President Maurer Engages in High-Level Security Dialogue at Madrid Forum

On May 28, 2026, Dr. Paul J. Maurer, President and CEO of Montreat College, participated as a distinguished speaker at the 29th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum hosted in Madrid, Spain.

The summit convened 182 parliamentary delegates from 54 countries alongside prominent government figures and specialists worldwide, focusing on urgent security challenges. Over 4,200 additional participants engaged virtually through live streaming. Dr. Maurer joined 33 other cybersecurity professionals presenting on digital defense strategies. Notable speakers included Spanish Senator José Antonio Monago Terraza, French Senator Olivier Cadic, and Indian technologist Dr. Varun Suthra.

Opening ceremonies featured remarks from Spanish Senate leader Francisco Javier Márquez, U.S. Congressman Robert Pittenger (forum founder), Ukrainian Parliament President Ruslan Stefanchuk, and former U.S. National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger. Discussions extended beyond cyber threats to encompass AI advancements, quantum technologies, cryptocurrency regulation, financial crime prevention, human rights protection, and faith-based initiatives.

Since establishing the forum in 2014, Pittenger has overseen its evolution into a premier international security dialogue platform. Hosted across multiple continents, recent editions included Washington D.C., Nairobi, Panama City, European capitals, and Manila. The forum's legacy emphasizes cross-border collaboration among democratic institutions.

Pittenger strengthened academic ties with Montreat College through a substantial donation of historical governmental artifacts to the L. Nelson Bell Library. This collection enables students to study real-world governance while exploring ethical leadership frameworks rooted in Christian values.

Dr. Maurer's involvement underscored Montreat's status as a cybersecurity thought leader. Participants received copies of "The Code of Honor: Embracing Ethics in Cybersecurity," co-authored by President Maurer and SANS Institute President Ed Skoudis. Funded by NSA grants, this educational resource supports national cybersecurity standards across academic and corporate sectors. Montreat's cybersecurity program holds NSA-recognized designation as a Center of Academic Excellence.

Explore Montreat's academic offerings via the Center for Cybersecurity Education and Leadership at %5BSITEURL%5D/cybersecurity/.