Hawaii Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit focuses on addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by the public sector. The event brings together government leaders and IT security professionals to discuss strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, and staying ahead of evolving threats. Attendees can expect expert insights, collaborative discussions, and practical solutions tailored to the needs of public sector organizations.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Mishaal Khan

Mishaal Khan

Hacker, Author and Speaker

Mishaal is a highly respected figure in cybersecurity, with expertise in ethical hacking, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), social engineering, and privacy. Mishaal's engaging approach involves live demos, making cybersecurity accessible and enjoyable, while his strength lies in rapidly enhancing organizations' security posture, saving time and budget. As a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), Mishaal secures organizations and provides executive-level consultancy to manage cyber risk and prevent breaches. His extensive experience and insights, detailed in his book "The Phantom CISO," showcase his journey from an entry-level position to a leadership role in cybersecurity. Mishaal, with certifications including CCIE, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Social Engineer, and Certified OSINT Professional, remains at the forefront of technology, contributing his time to shape the industry's future. With over two decades of experience, he is a sought-after speaker at premier conferences like DEF CON, Wild West Hacking Fest, and SANS.

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Agenda

Wednesday, December 3

7:45 am Hawaii

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

8:45 am Hawaii

Welcome

8:50 am Hawaii

Opening Remarks

Christine Maii Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii

9:00 am Hawaii

Keynote - Inside the Hacker's Playbook: Learning from Attackers to Optimize Defenses

Hackers and bad actors have become more sophisticated than ever. Understanding how they operate and approach the attack vector is crucial to understanding the complexities of a potential cyber-attack. In this session, ethical Hacker Mishall Khan will walk us through a cyber battle - exploring each layer of an attack from the perspective of both the attacker and defender. Join us as we discuss best practices to enhance our security posture while providing actionable insights to fortify your defenses.

Mishaal Khan, Hacker, Author and Speaker

10:00 am Hawaii

General Session - Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating Today’s Cyber Threat Landscape

The cyber battlefield is evolving faster than ever, and government can’t afford to slow down. Attackers are adapting, innovating, and exploiting new vulnerabilities at every turn, making proactive defense a mission-critical priority. This session cuts through the noise with a look at the most pressing cyber trends, the latest adversary tactics, and the emerging technologies that are reshaping defense strategies. Join us for insights to strengthen resilience, sharpen your response, and keep your organization one step ahead.

10:45 am Hawaii

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

11:15 am Hawaii

Concurrent Sessions

Inside the Mind of the Adversary: Nation-State and Local Threats

From global actors to localized incidents, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and disruptive. In this session we examine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of nation-state threat actors and their impact on state and local governments. Panelists will explore how intrusions are detected, how to respond, and how to recover. Join us and gain practical strategies to build effective playbooks and strengthen resilience against the full life cycle of an attack.

Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Building from the Ground Up

Every organization needs a strong foundation to defend against today’s threats. Before diving into advanced solutions, it’s critical to establish core practices that support resilience and growth. This session will highlight the essential building blocks of cybersecurity and offer practical approaches to evaluating posture, addressing gaps, and strengthening defenses.

12:15 pm Hawaii

Lunch

1:00 pm Hawaii

General Session - Doing More with Less: Free Cybersecurity Resources for Government

Strengthening cybersecurity doesn’t always require new funding or starting from scratch. A wide range of free resources - from federal programs like CISA and MS-ISAC to state-level initiatives - offer tools, guidance, and expertise to support public sector and education organizations. This session will showcase what’s available, how to access these services, and practical strategies to improve your cybersecurity posture without paid solutions.

1:45 pm Hawaii

General Session - Funding the Mission: Opportunities, Resources, and Statewide Projects

Hawaii is making significant investments in cybersecurity through programs like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). This session will provide an update on how funds are being deployed statewide and at the county level, what opportunities remain, and how agencies can tap into available resources. Join us to learn how investments today are shaping a more secure Hawaii for tomorrow.

2:30 pm Hawaii

Networking Break in Exhibit Area

2:55 pm Hawaii

Concurrent Sessions

Building Hawaii’s Cyber Workforce

A strong cyber defense depends on a skilled and adaptable workforce. This session will highlight initiatives that give students and professionals hands-on training, career pathways, and opportunities to strengthen cyber readiness. Panelists will share how education, government, and industry organizations are working together to expand Hawaii’s cybersecurity talent pipeline through internships, certifications, AI skill development, and continuous learning.

Risk Management in Practice

Effective risk management is a cornerstone of strong cybersecurity and organizational resilience. This session will explore approaches for assessing and prioritizing risk, setting thresholds, and tracking progress. Join us to discover lessons learned and practical strategies for aligning security efforts with broader organizational priorities, offering guidance that can be adapted to a variety of environments and maturity levels.

3:55 pm Hawaii

Short Break

4:10 pm Hawaii

General Session - Cybersecurity Transformed: From Social Engineering to Quantum (Mini-Radar for Cybersecurity)

As cyber threats evolve, so must our defenses. From sophisticated social engineering attacks to the looming impact of quantum computing, cybersecurity is undergoing a transformation. This session will examine the shifting threat landscape, and the strategies organizations must adopt to stay ahead. Attendees will gain insights into emerging risks, cutting-edge defenses, and how to future-proof their cybersecurity strategies in an era of rapid technological change.

Sean McSpaden, Senior Fellow, The Centers for Digital Government and Public Sector AI

4:55 pm Hawaii

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

5:30 pm Hawaii

End of Conference

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

Prince Waikiki

100 Holomoana Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 824-5155

Get Directions To
Prince Waikiki

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 3, 2025

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:

Tabbie Pegoda
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1411
E-mail: tpegoda@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

Venue

Prince Waikiki

100 Holomoana Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 824-5155