Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome

Opening Remarks

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

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.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

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.

Lunch

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.

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.

Networking Break in Exhibit Area

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.

Short Break

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

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

End of Conference

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