Kansas Cyber Summit 2024

This summit brought public sector and critical infrastructure resources together to address the most important cybersecurity issues facing the public sector toda.  Sessions were interactive and allowed for a great deal of collaboration amongst attendees and presenters. Sessions focused on Threat Landscape, Risk Management, Finding the Right Human Resources, Zero Trust & Other Models, Emerging Technologies & Security, Security Architecture, Policies & Frameworks, Innovation & Collaboration.  We also discussed the historic funding opportunities such as ARPA, IIJA, and the state and local cybersecurity grant program and how we can maximize these opportunities to advance cybersecurity across Kansas.

This event was open to employees, both technology and business, and elected officials of cities, counties, school districts, higher education institutions, state agencies, federal partners, and DHS designated critical infrastructure partners.

Agenda  (note, this event has passed)

all times listed are Central time zone

9:00 am  Opening Remarks

Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

9:15 am   Keynote – Keep Your Head Out of the Cyber Sand: Using Superior Communications to Get the Job Done!

Risk can take on many forms and governments must understand how to accept it, mitigate it, or insure against it while not sticking their head in the sand to ignore it. How will you assess your cyber risks and balance them against your needs? How will you make the rational decisions needed to be successful? How will you navigate the road to recovery? This session will answer these questions with a focus on ideas that will help you engage your leaders with real-world examples.

Bryce Austin, CEO, TCE Strategy

10:15 am   Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am  Concurrent Sessions

Technology Cybersecurity Resiliency Planning: A 2024 Perspective

With the increasing severity and frequency of cyber threats and their broad impact, strategies must evolve rapidly to stay resilient in the face of never-ending attacks. Cybersecurity resiliency planning has become a critical aspect of safeguarding sensitive data – ensuring business continuity and preserving the trust of stakeholders. Collaboration between business, IT, and operational teams are necessary to establish a strong, comprehensive cybersecurity resilience framework. This session provides a deep dive into priorities and considerations for developing a robust, effective resiliency and recovery plan.

Protecting Our Future Together: Cyber Education and Programs Across Kansas

School districts and universities have made great strides utilizing advanced networking technologies. However, with these impressive gains, we must also recognize the vulnerability and increased risk these advancements introduce. Hear how Kansas universities are partnering with schools and the actual end-users – students – to launch successful cybersecurity programs on end-point detection and testing.

Mark Rodee, Chief Information Security Officer, Wichita State University

11:45 am      Lunch

12:15 pm     General Session – The IT State of the State

John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

12:45 pm      Bits and Bytes

1:10 pm       Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent session rooms.

1:15 pm      Concurrent Sessions

Enhancing Cybersecurity in Operational Technology

Operational technology (OT) is vital for streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and ensuring reliability of critical infrastructure systems. However, OT has unique cybersecurity challenges due to the intricate interconnectivity of legacy and current systems. CISA serves to promote a cohesive effort between government and industry that will improve CISA’s ability to anticipate, prioritize and manage national-level OT risk. This session will explore how their work with OT vendors and operators across all sectors aims to identify vulnerabilities and develop sound, proactive mitigation strategies.

Samuel Alva, Cybersecurity Advisor, Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE), U.S. Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency

How to Safely Leverage AI in Your Cyber Strategy

Now more than ever, we have seen the concepts of security and AI converge in a way that we must thoughtfully examine. While AI is increasingly being used by bad actors, it is also becoming a cornerstone in cybersecurity strategies. What’s working, and what risks are involved? What are the limitations that we need to be mindful of? This session will explore how AI has the potential to not only support your cyber strategy – but elevate it.

Mark Abraham, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

(Industry sponsors only) Hosted by:

Erin McGinnis, Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration & Preparedness, State of Kansas

2:15 pm     Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:45 pm    General Session – Surviving the Hack Attack: What You Need to Know!

Ransomware attacks are ever-evolving security threats that require continuous and diligent proactive defense. What can past incidents and attacks teach us about building resilient systems and processes? How should your organization respond to minimize damage and downtime during an attack? What do you need to look at as you recover and rebuild? This session will delve deeper into actual ransomware incidents and showcase effective strategies for both preparation and response.

Eric Albright, Director of IT, NW KS Ambulance Service, Sherman County

Alyssa Boss, Network Administrator, Dickinson County

Amber Cole, Senior Special Agent, Cyber Crime Unit, Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Chancy Smith, Emergency Management Director, Dickinson County

3:25 pm      General Session – 2024 Net Assessment – Risk, Volatility, and Challenges

What are the major security trends facing the United States? How can IT professionals help navigate the challenges ahead? This presentation covers key geopolitical and technological challenges facing the United States during the next two decades. Audience members will be challenged to consider what these trends mean for their organizations, and to think about what approaches will best help them seize opportunities and avoid danger.

David Young, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Kansas and Executive Director, Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center

3:55 pm     Closing Remarks

4:00 pm     Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:30 pm     End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.