BEK Chief Security Officer Honored by CyberCon: John Nagel Inducted into Hall of Fame

BEK Communications Cooperative is proud to recognize a major achievement for one of its executive leaders. John Nagel, BEK’s Chief Security Officer and President of CyberNet Security, has been inducted into the CyberCon Hall of Fame, one of the region’s top honors in the cybersecurity community.

Nagel received the award during this year’s CyberCon Conference, held September 30 - October 1, 2025, at Bismarck State College. CyberCon is widely known as the region’s only premier cybersecurity and critical infrastructure event. The CyberCon Hall of Fame celebrates individuals whose service, innovation, and leadership have elevated the cybersecurity profession.

Nagel is one of ten honorees inducted into the CyberCon Hall of Fame this year, but his role stands out. As a founding member of CyberCon and the first Chair of the conference, he helped shape the vision and purpose of the conference in its earliest days to what it is today. His leadership has strengthened CyberCon’s mission, expanded its statewide and regional impact, and supported the growth of North Dakota’s cybersecurity workforce. Through his work at BEK and CyberNet Security, Nagel continues to champion strong cyber readiness and the protection of critical infrastructure across the region.

Since launching in 2017, the annual Cybercon Conference has brought together national experts, industry leaders, and hands-on practitioners for keynotes, breakout sessions, technical workshops, and networking.