Name: Florida Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2026
Start: 2026-09-17T08:00
Location: Florida State Conference Center

Overview

The Florida Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit is where government defends the future.

This public sector-focused event brings together IT security leaders, risk managers, and public officials to tackle the evolving cyber threats facing state and local government. Through expert-led sessions, peer exchange, and real-world case studies, attendees gain practical strategies to strengthen cyber resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and lead with confidence in an age of constant risk. Designed specifically for the public sector, this summit delivers insights you can act on and alliances you can trust!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The Florida Cybersecurity Summit provides a valuable forum for public-sector leaders across the state to come together, share best practices, and strengthen our collective approach to cybersecurity. As threats continue to evolve, collaboration and knowledge-sharing remain critical to protecting the services our communities depend on. We hope you will join us in Tallahassee on September 17, 2026

– Michelle M. Taylor, Chief Information Officer, Leon County Government

Speakers

Jason Walker

Chief Information Security Officer, Florida Digital Service

Jason leads cybersecurity operations for 35 Florida state agencies and the whole-of-state cyber program under F.S. 282.3185, which extends to more than 4,000 local government entities (counties, municipalities, school districts, water utilities, and special districts). He is also a doctoral researcher at Capitol Technology University, applying the FAIR risk quantification model to historical incident data from Florida agencies to test whether risk models actually predict what happens.
Prior to his current role, Jason was a defense contractor at Lockheed Martin and critical infrastructure security at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Zach Lewis

Author, Former CIO and CISO

Zach Lewis currently serves as the CIO and CISO for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and chairs the Enterprise Risk Management committee. Zach has over 13 years’ experience working in Tech Start-ups, Energy, Higher Education, and Consulting. He is an officer in the St. Louis Chapter of InfraGard, which is a partnership between the FBI and private sector for the protection of U.S. Critical Infrastructure.
Zach was awarded St. Louis Non-Profit CISO of the Year and the St. Louis Business Journal 40 under 40. He’s a graduate of the FBI CISO Academy. His first published book, Locked Up: Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation Lessons from A Real-World LockBit Ransomware Response was released in January 2026. Zach provides his industry expertise to others by speaking at conferences, webinars, and universities throughout the country.

Brian Abbondanza

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida

Brian Abbondanza is the Chief Information Security Officer for the Florida Department of Children and Families, where he leads cybersecurity strategy, governance, risk management, and incident response for one of the state's largest public service agencies. With more than 20 years in technology and security, he focuses on turning complex technical risk into clear executive decisions and on building the kind of cyber hygiene that keeps an organization able to make sound decisions when its systems are degraded, contested, or gone. He is the creator of the Decision Reserve framework, a systems-based approach to cybersecurity leadership and organizational resilience centered on preserving institutional decision-making capacity under pressure and a future author.

Sudeshna Aich, Ed.D., MBA, CISA, CDPSE

Office of Internal Audit and Inspector General, Information Technology (IT) Audit Manager, State Board of Administration, State of Florida

Dr. Sudeshna Aich is an information technology audit, cybersecurity governance, risk, privacy, and compliance leader with more than 30 years of experience across private and public sector including government, higher education, financial services. She currently serves as IT Audit Manager with the Florida State Board of Administration, where she leads risk-based IT, cybersecurity, governance, assurance, advisory, and compliance engagements and advises executive leadership on cybersecurity risk, resilience, and emerging technology risks.
Her background includes IT audit and cybersecurity leadership roles with Florida State University, the Florida Auditor General, and the Florida Department of Transportation, as well as 18 years of hands-on experience in enterprise application development, project management, and ERP implementation. Sudeshna has evaluated cybersecurity programs against leading frameworks including NIST, ISO/IEC, CIS CSC, COBIT, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and CMMC.
She holds a Doctor of Education in Learning Design and Performance Technology, focused on cybersecurity workforce development using Self-Directed Learning theory, and an MBA in Finance from Florida State University. She is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE).
A proud Tallahassee resident for 25 years, Dr. Aich is also a devoted Florida State University alumna and a Nole at heart.
At the Florida Public Sector Cyber Security Summit, Sudeshna will share an internal audit and governance perspective on strengthening cybersecurity resilience, accountability, risk management, and public-sector readiness for modern cyber threats.

Todd Bayley

Chief Information Officer, Pasco County, Board of County Commissioners, State of Florida

Mr. Bayley provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment for the County.
The primary responsibilities for his office encompass a wide variety of strategic technology issues:
Governance and policy
Resource allocation
Serves on the County’s Executive Leadership Team
Strategic AI and digital technologies to enhance customer service and organizational performance
Pasco County Information Technology provides support for 57 lines of business: IT infrastructure and services, information security systems and compliance, administrative systems, and client support services. In addition, the department is responsible for network and communications needs for the 6th Judicial Court Administration, State Attorney, Public Defender, Guardian Ad Litem, and Misdemeanor Probation, as well as five constitutional offices: (1) Pasco Sheriff’s Office (Telephony only), (2) Pasco Tax Collector, (3) Supervisor of Elections, (4) Property Appraiser, (5) Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.
Mr. Bayley has been in the Information Technology field for 43 years. He holds two master’s degrees: Liberty University (MBA), Florida State University (MPA), and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO), and is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran. Mr. Bayley is also the Past President of the Florida Local Government Systems Information Association (FLGISA).

Phil Bertolini

Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Phil Bertolini is a Chief Delivery Officer for Government Technology, the premiere event and thought leadership content provider for state and local government technology professionals. Previously, he served as deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County, Michigan. During his 31-year tenure, Phil built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan, just north of Detroit. As Oakland County CIO, he oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents. In 2005, he was also promoted to deputy county executive, holding dual positions until his retirement. Phil’s efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year and Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change.

Matthew Bowman

Information Security Analyst, Northwest Regional Data Center

Matthew Bowman serves as Senior Cybersecurity Analyst and Team Lead for the Northwest Regional Data Center (NWRDC), where he oversees critical cybersecurity operations for two of Florida's largest government data centers. Responsible for protecting systems and data that support state agencies, universities, school districts, municipalities, nonprofits, and millions of Florida residents, Matthew specializes in large-scale security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, digital forensics, malware defense, and security automation.
With more than fourteen years of public-sector IT experience and seven years dedicated to enterprise cybersecurity, Matthew has built a reputation for transforming complex security challenges into practical, people-centered solutions. As the primary administrator for NWRDC's Vulnerability Management, Detection, and Response (VMDR) program, he plays an essential role in strengthening security posture, supporting audits, and managing enterprise risk across critical infrastructure environments.
Matthew's cybersecurity philosophy is grounded in a fundamental belief that the human element is both the greatest vulnerability and the greatest defense in cybersecurity. Through speaking engagements, training, and mentorship, he advocates for building security-minded cultures where awareness becomes instinct and individuals become active defenders of their organizations and communities.
His passion for cybersecurity education extends beyond the workplace. As a father of two young daughters and a lifelong technology enthusiast who began working with communication systems at age nine, Matthew is dedicated to helping future generations develop the mindset and habits needed to navigate an increasingly connected world safely and confidently.
"Firewalls stop packets; people and training stop attacks." That principle continues to guide Matthew's mission to make cybersecurity accessible, practical, and empowering for everyone.

Ian Browne

IT Administrator, Alachua County Library District

Ian Browne serves as the IT Administrator for The Alachua County Library District, where he leads the Automated Services department and provides strategic leadership for the District’s information technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology initiatives. His work focuses on strengthening organizational resilience, managing technology risk, and supporting secure and effective technology services across a public-sector environment.
A retired U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of military service, Ian brings a leadership perspective shaped by both public service and cybersecurity. His academic background is in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, complemented by multiple industry certifications spanning cybersecurity, networking, and IT service management.
Ian is particularly interested in cybersecurity governance, emerging technology risk, and helping public-sector organizations responsibly evaluate and adopt technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Shana Brunson

Section Manager, Supporting Technology Team, Office of Information Technology, Application Services, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Shana Brunson is the Section Manager for the Supporting Technology Team within the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Office of Information Technology, Application Services. She leads a team responsible for the management, implementation, and support of enterprise-wide Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that enable critical business operations across the Department.
With more than 20 years of experience in information technology, project management, data analytics, digital accessibility, and digital transformation, Shana has led initiatives involving enterprise application modernization, cloud technologies, accessibility compliance, data strategy, and statewide technology governance. She works closely with executive leadership, business offices, and technical teams to align technology investments with organizational goals while promoting secure, scalable, and sustainable solutions.
Shana holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MSITM), and a Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA), along with multiple professional certifications in project management, business analysis, and technology leadership.
A frequent speaker and facilitator, Shana enjoys sharing practical strategies for leveraging emerging technologies, improving organizational effectiveness, and balancing innovation with governance. As moderator for today's Florida Public Sector Cyber Security Summit session, she brings a passion for fostering meaningful discussions on cybersecurity, digital resilience, and the future of public-sector technology.

Amber Burns

Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services, Division of Retirement, State of Florida

Amber has served as Deputy Director of Technology and Support Services for the Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Retirement, since June 2024. In this role, she oversees the division's administrative functions, including financial management, budgeting, procurement, human resources, information technology support, and strategic technology initiatives.
With more than 20 years of experience in Florida state government, Amber has built a career focused on operational excellence, organizational leadership, and supporting technology-driven solutions that enhance public service. She holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida School of Architecture.
Amber has two daughters, 20 and 13. In her free time she enjoys music, movies, crafts, and fishing.

Nathan Cain

Major Accounts Solutions Architect, Qualys

Nathan Cain is a cybersecurity and systems engineering leader with over 20 years of experience protecting federal, defense and state networks. He currently serves as Major Accounts Solutions Architect, Public Sector at Qualys, where he advises major federal and state agencies on vulnerability management, compliance, and application security, aligning solutions with standards like FISMA, NIST, and HIPAA. His background includes senior cybersecurity engineering roles supporting the U.S. Navy and NAVSEA (ASSETT, Turbo Federal), deep expertise as a vulnerability management subject matter expert (ASM Research, ICS Nett), and systems architecture work with the US Marine’s Cyber Command. His career traces back to information assurance roles in the Department of the Navy, including postings in Japan and at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, where he led compliance, vulnerability management, and cyber workforce programs under DoD 8500/8570 frameworks.

Matt Embrey

Cybersecurity Advisor, SHI International

Matthew Embrey, CISSP, is a Cybersecurity Advisor with experience in information security, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Prior to his current role, he served as VP of Sales and Information Security Officer at Abacus IT, a managed services provider focused on community banks and credit unions, where he worked closely with financial institutions on cybersecurity, compliance, and technology strategy. Today, Matt works with state and local government, higher education, and K-12 organizations on cybersecurity and risk-related initiatives.

Torsten George

Cybersecurity Evangelist, ID Dataweb, Inc.

Dr. Torsten George is an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert, author, and speaker with more than 30 years of experience in the global IT security community. He regularly provides commentary and publishes articles on data breaches, insider threats, compliance frameworks, and IT security best practices. Torsten is currently serving as cybersecurity evangelist at ID Dataweb, a recognized leader in identity threat detection and risk mitigation.

Andy Hanks

Executive Strategist, Tanium

Andy Hanks is a Chief Government Strategist at Tanium with more than 30 years of experience in information technology; including 17 years focused on information security, regulatory compliance, and data privacy. Prior to joining Tanium, Hanks served as Senior Director at the Center for Internet Security, Chief Information Security Officer at the State of Montana, and Global Security Program Manager at IBM. Hanks earned a Master of Science degree in information systems from Drexel University, holds multiple cybersecurity certifications, and is a graduate of the FBI CISO Academy. Andy Hanks is a cybersecurity thought leader driven by a passion for protecting citizens’ data and defending critical infrastructure.

Jessica Lanese

Cybersecurity Community Operations Lead, Florida Digital Service 

Jessica Lanese is a cybersecurity and program operations leader who serves as a direct advisor to Florida’s State CISO. She leads operational strategy and coordination for the statewide cybersecurity program, supporting 35 enterprise agencies across governance, risk management, and security operations.
Jessica is an advocate for workforce development. She emphasizes the role of strong leadership in building high-performing teams, developing emerging talent, and creating environments where public-sector technologists can thrive. Through her work, Jessica brings a practical perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing government technology organizations as they recruit, retain, and grow a resilient and capable technology workforce.

Brian McHenry

GTM Strategist, AI Security Leader, Delinea

Brian McHenry is a cybersecurity executive and GTM leader with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of AI, application security, and identity. He currently serves as VP of Sales Engineering for the Americas at Delinea, where he helps enterprises eliminate standing privileges for their most critical human and non-human identities.
Brian has held senior leadership roles at F5, Check Point Software, and Obsidian Security. At F5, he led product strategy for F5's entire Web Application and API Security business and earned an SC Magazine Award for Best Web App Security Solution. He has also led go-to-market and engineering organizations at Check Point and Obsidian, where he spearheaded the launch of Agentic AI and Generative AI security capabilities.
A sought-after speaker and writer, Brian is a co-founder of Security B-Sides NYC — a community-driven infosec conference that has grown to over 1,200 attendees — and a former co-host on the TWiT.tv podcast network. He is passionate about making cybersecurity more accessible and giving back to the community.

Caleb Murphy

Cyber Operations Manager, Florida Digital Service

Caleb Murphy currently serves at the Cybersecurity Operations Manager within the Florida Digital Service, leading the State's Cybersecurity Operations Center. Caleb has more than 17 years of experience specializing in cyber threat intelligence, threat-informed defense, regulatory compliance, and security operations across public and private sector organizations, including the critical infrastructure sector. His previous state service includes roles such as Acting Deputy State Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Florida, and Information Security Manager for Florida's Department of Environmental Protection. Caleb holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Intelligence and Information Security from the University of South Florida, where he was recognized as an ODNI Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence Scholar. His research focused on advanced persistent threats—particularly Russian military and foreign intelligence operations—and included technical assessments of APT44 (Sandworm), its evolving malware frameworks, and cyber campaigns by other adversarial foreign intelligence services.

Andy Rivers

Senior Security Specialist Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services

Andy is an Executive Security Advisor with AWS Public Sector, where he specializes in supporting state, local government, and higher education customers. Prior to joining AWS, Andy served as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Cloud Architect for the State of Tennessee, leading the state's cloud adoption and application migration initiatives. He has extensive experience in IT service management and cybersecurity, including leading Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) best practices implementations. At AWS, Andy works with security and technology leaders to enable secure, compliant cloud transformations, helping customers develop holistic security strategies and leverage the cloud in solving their toughest security challenges.

Alan Simpkins

Jr. Partner Solutions Architect, Palo Alto Networks

Partner Solutions Architect and cybersecurity leader with 20+ years driving partner strategy, technical go-to-market, enterprise solution architecture, and security transformation across Fortune 500 enterprises, public sector organizations, and global service providers. Proven record building cybersecurity practices, developing partner ecosystems, enabling managed security offerings, and working across Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and partners to accelerate adoption and bring differentiated security solutions to market.

Information Security Manager, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Stephanie Tanner is the Information Security Manager (ISM) at the Florida Department of Transportation. She has proudly served the Department for 31 years, starting with Technical Support and encompassing Technical Writing, IT Training and Education, and Enterprise IT Project Management.
Stephanie has worked on initiatives statewide in the financial, administrative, and operational arenas, and served as a Project Manager in many of those. As the ISM, she is focused on expanding the workforce allocated to Information Security, working with the Department’s traffic and transportation related teams to better secure the Department’s operational technology, implementing Enterprise-Level projects that further protect the Department, and educating the workforce to make intelligent risk-based decisions for themselves and their offices.
Stephanie has a Masters of Business Administration from Florida State University, and a Masters of Civil Engineering with a concentration in Transportation Leadership from the University of Florida Transportation Institute.

Steve Troxel

ASG Field Chief Technology Officer, SHI International Corp

Steve Troxel is a Field CTO at SHI International Corp, advising public sector and commercial organizations across the U.S. With over 25 years of experience in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise strategy, he has held executive roles including interim CTO for the Arizona Department of Education and VP of Technology for a national payment card processor. His work bridges public policy, operational execution, and long-term technology planning.

Thursday, September 17
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area 2nd Floor Atrium
9:00 am Eastern	Welcome and Opening Remarks Room 208 (Auditorium) Jason Walker, Chief Information Security Officer, Florida Digital Service
9:15 am Eastern	Resilience Over Reaction: Securing the Public Sector in an Era of Relentless Cyber Pressure Room 208 (Auditorium) Public sector organizations face relentless cyber pressure, and ransomware remains one of the clearest examples of how quickly disruption can become a crisis. This keynote uses a real-world LockBit ransomware attack to explain how these incidents happen, what the response looks like, and what it takes to recover. Attendees will gain practical strategies for improving ransomware readiness, strengthening identity and access controls, reducing operational disruption, and building the resilience needed to protect public trust and keep critical services moving. Zach Lewis, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
10:15 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area 2nd Floor Atrium
10:45 am Eastern	Concurrent Sessions AI Policies That Enable Innovation Without Increasing Risk Room 214 As employees rapidly adopt generative AI and low-code tools, agencies must balance innovation with control. This session explores how organizations are developing AI usage policies, managing employee-created applications, and establishing governance frameworks that support innovation without introducing unnecessary risk. Attendees will leave with practical approaches to enable AI responsibly while maintaining compliance and security. Moderator: Shon Bynum, Senior Officer of Information Security and Intelligent Automation for the State Board of Administration, Florida Prepaid College Board Todd Bayley, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Department, Pasco County Matthew Bowman, Information Security Analyst, Northwest Regional Data Center JoAnna Hand, Director of Emerging Technology, Department of Transportation, State of Florida Brian McHenry, GTM Strategist, AI Security Leader, Delinea Alan Simpkins Jr, Partner Solutions Architect, Palo Alto Networks Why Cyber Hygiene Still Beats Advanced Threats Room 205 Despite evolving threats, most breaches still trace back to gaps in basic cybersecurity practices. This session highlights how vulnerability management, patching, endpoint protection, and monitoring continue to deliver the greatest risk reduction. Attendees will gain actionable insights to strengthen foundational controls, improve operational discipline, and maximize existing security investments. Moderator: Daniel Rae, Information Security Analyst, Florida Digital Service Brian Abbondanza, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida Nathan Cain, Major Accounts Solutions Architect, Qualys Stephanie Tanner, Information Security Manager, Department of Transportation, State of Florida Pulling Back the Curtain on AI Vendors and Hidden Risk Room 201 AI is rapidly being embedded into enterprise tools, but not all solutions are created equal. This session examines how agencies evaluate AI vendors, assess data exposure risks, and demand transparency in decision-making processes. Attendees will learn how to strengthen procurement strategies and confidently adopt AI technologies without compromising security or accountability. Moderator: Robin Jordan, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Division of Technology, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, State of Florida Ian Browne, IT Administrator, Alachua County Library District Sarah Kosberg, Deputy State Chief Information Security Officer, Florida Digital Service Andy Rivers, Senior Security Specialist Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services Jackie Schaffer, Deputy State Chief Data Officer, Florida Digital Service Cyber Challenge Arena Public Sector Capture-the-Flag Competition (Ongoing) Room 103 A live, hands-on cybersecurity competition running throughout the day. Participants will test their skills across threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability analysis in a realistic environment. Open to all experience levels, this interactive experience promotes collaboration, practical learning, and peer engagement. You must be registered for the summit and for the Cyber Challenge in order to attend this competition. Please copy and paste this link into your browser to register for the Cyber Challenge: https://ctf.hackthebox.com/event/details/florida-public-sector-cyber-security-summit-ctf-3500
11:45 am Eastern	Lunch Room 108
12:45 pm Eastern	General Session – Defending Florida Government: Modern Cyber Threats, Governance, and Response Room 208 (Auditorium) Cyber threats targeting government systems are increasing in frequency, complexity, and impact. From ransomware and supply chain compromise to insider risk and data exposure, agencies must evolve from reactive security postures to continuous cyber defense. This session examines how Florida government leaders are modernizing cybersecurity governance and response strategies. Topics include threat detection and response, identity security, data protection, resilience planning, and the alignment of security operations with enterprise risk. Attendees will gain practical insight into building cyber programs designed for today’s adversaries, not yesterday’s controls. Moderator: Jessica Lanese, CISSP, PMP, CSM, FCCM, Cybersecurity Program Manager, Office of the State Chief Information Security Officer, State of Florida Sudeshna Aich, MBA, Ed.D., CISA, CDPSE, Office of Internal Audit and Inspector General, Information Technology (IT) Audit Manager, State Board of Administration, State of Florida Mike Duffey, FBI NA 290, Special Agent in Charge, Cyber Crimes Technology and Telecommunications Division, Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida Caleb Murphy, Cyber Operations Manager, Florida Digital Service
1:30 pm Eastern	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:40 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Fraud in the Age of AI: Defending Against Deepfakes and Social Engineering Room 214 AI-powered scams, including deepfakes and voice cloning, are rapidly becoming more sophisticated and impactful. This session explores emerging fraud trends and how agencies are adapting detection, identity verification, and user awareness strategies. Attendees will gain practical tools to protect both their organizations and the citizens they serve. Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology Brian Abbondanza, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida Torsten George, Cybersecurity Evangelist, ID Dataweb, Inc. When the Cloud Fails: Building Resilience Beyond the SLA Room 205 Cloud adoption has transformed government operations, but outages and vendor disruptions remain a reality. This session explores how agencies are strengthening continuity planning, validating recovery strategies, and preparing for third-party failures. Attendees will gain practical approaches to ensure resilience when cloud services don’t perform as expected. Moderator: Shana Brunson, Section Manager, Supporting Technology Team, Office of Information Technology, Application Services, Department of Transportation, State of Florida Matt Embrey, Cybersecurity Advisor, SHI International J.B. Holden, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Information, Office of Information Technology Services, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida Joshua Singletary, Network Support Specialist IV, ISP, IT Network & Telecom, Department of Revenue, State of Florida Closing the Exploit Window with Automation That Actually Reduces Risk Room 201 The time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation continues to shrink. This session examines how organizations are using automation, risk-based prioritization, and autonomous remediation to accelerate response times. Attendees will learn how to safely scale security operations while reducing the burden on overstretched teams. Moderator: Amber Burns, Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services, Division of Retirement, State of Florida Andy Hanks, Executive Government Strategist, Tanium Deidre Melton, Associate Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management/CRO, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Chief AI Officer, Florida A&M University Cyber Challenge Arena Public Sector Capture-the-Flag Competition (Ongoing) Room 103 The afternoon session builds on earlier challenges with advanced scenarios in threat hunting, incident response, and defensive operations. Participants will deepen their technical skills while continuing to collaborate and compete in a dynamic learning environment. You must be registered for the summit and for the Cyber Challenge in order to attend this competition. Please copy and paste this link into your browser to register for the Cyber Challenge: https://ctf.hackthebox.com/event/details/florida-public-sector-cyber-security-summit-ctf-3500
2:40 pm Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area 2nd Floor Atrium
3:00 pm Eastern	General Session – The Cyber Workforce Crisis: Winning the Talent War in Public Sector Room 208 (Auditorium) As demand for cybersecurity talent grows, public sector organizations must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain skilled professionals. This session explores workforce development strategies, partnerships with education institutions, and modern approaches to career growth and retention. Attendees will gain actionable ideas to strengthen their talent pipeline and build resilient teams for the future. Moderator: Amber Tyson, Cybersecurity Community Operations Lead, Florida Digital Service Richard Evans, PhD, IT Policy Coordinator, Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Policy and Budget, State of Florida Ryan May, Chief Information Security Officer, Florida Lottery Bobby Sprinkle, Chief Technology Officer, Florida State University
4:00 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area 2nd Floor Atrium Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:30 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Florida State Conference Center

555 W Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-3801

Get Directions To
Florida State Conference Center

Planning Committee

Representatives

Brian Abbondanza
Information Security Manager
Deptartment of Children and Families
State of Florida

Mike Andrews
Network Manager
IT
City of Leesburg

William Armstrong
Information Security Manager
Agency for Health Care Administration
State of Florida

Andrew Brown
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Department of Lottery
State of Florida

Raymond Chase
Manager, Information Security
City of Orlando

Jeremy Daniell
Chief Information Offier
Department of Elder Affiars
State of Florida

Ashley Falls
Director of Information Technology
Prepaid College Board
State of Florida

Joey Hornsby
Chief Information Offier
Department of Law Enforcement
State of Florida

Kenneth Kicia
Chief Information Offier
Department of Corrections
State of Florida

Kerri McEwen
Chief Information Offier
Department of Representatives
State of Florida

Alan Russell
Cybersecurity Manager
Office of Information Technology
Leon County

Michelle Taylor
Chief Information Officer
Leon County

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: September 17, 2026

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Lauren Schoenberger
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1408
E-mail:lschoenberger@erepublic.com

Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!

Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

View Full Site

Florida Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2026

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Jason Walker

Chief Information Security Officer, Florida Digital Service

Zach Lewis

Author, Former CIO and CISO

Brian Abbondanza

Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, Department of Children and Families, State of Florida

Sudeshna Aich, Ed.D., MBA, CISA, CDPSE

Office of Internal Audit and Inspector General, Information Technology (IT) Audit Manager, State Board of Administration, State of Florida

Todd Bayley

Chief Information Officer, Pasco County, Board of County Commissioners, State of Florida

Phil Bertolini

Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Matthew Bowman

Information Security Analyst, Northwest Regional Data Center

Ian Browne

IT Administrator, Alachua County Library District

Shana Brunson

Section Manager, Supporting Technology Team, Office of Information Technology, Application Services, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Amber Burns

Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services, Division of Retirement, State of Florida

Nathan Cain

Major Accounts Solutions Architect, Qualys

Matt Embrey

Cybersecurity Advisor, SHI International

Torsten George

Cybersecurity Evangelist, ID Dataweb, Inc.

Andy Hanks

Executive Strategist, Tanium

Jessica Lanese

Cybersecurity Community Operations Lead, Florida Digital Service

Brian McHenry

GTM Strategist, AI Security Leader, Delinea

Caleb Murphy

Cyber Operations Manager, Florida Digital Service

Andy Rivers

Senior Security Specialist Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services

Alan Simpkins

Jr. Partner Solutions Architect, Palo Alto Networks

Stephanie Tanner

Information Security Manager, Department of Transportation, State of Florida

Steve Troxel

ASG Field Chief Technology Officer, SHI International Corp

Agenda

Thursday, September 17

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

2nd Floor Atrium

9:00 am Eastern

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Room 208 (Auditorium)

9:15 am Eastern

Resilience Over Reaction: Securing the Public Sector in an Era of Relentless Cyber Pressure

Room 208 (Auditorium)

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2nd Floor Atrium

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

AI Policies That Enable Innovation Without Increasing Risk

Room 214

Why Cyber Hygiene Still Beats Advanced Threats

Room 205

Pulling Back the Curtain on AI Vendors and Hidden Risk

Room 201

Cyber Challenge Arena Public Sector Capture-the-Flag Competition (Ongoing)

Room 103

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Room 108

12:45 pm Eastern

General Session – Defending Florida Government: Modern Cyber Threats, Governance, and Response

Room 208 (Auditorium)

1:30 pm Eastern

Short Break

1:40 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Jessica Lanese

Cybersecurity Community Operations Lead, Florida Digital Service 