Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Waters BC

Warren Lenard, Chief Information Officer, Indiana Office of Technology (IOT), State of Indiana

Keynote - Navigating the Digital Frontier: Unveiling the Intersection of AI and Cybersecurity

Waters BC

Embark on a captivating exploration of the convergence between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity with Tarah Wheeler, a distinguished expert uniquely positioned at the intersection of these two dynamic fields. Delving into the symbiotic relationship between AI and cyber threats, this talk unravels the nuanced ways in which advanced technologies reshape the threat landscape. Tarah Wheeler not only illuminates the challenges posed by AI-driven cyber threats but also provides a strategic roadmap for organizations, empowering them to harness the power of artificial intelligence as a formidable ally in the ongoing battle for digital resilience.

Tarah Wheeler, Cybersecurity Expert, White Hat Hacker

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Deloitte, Gartner

Concurrent Sessions

Scaling AI in Government: Securing Innovation with Confidence

Waters D

Innovation is moving quickly, but government cannot afford to sacrifice accuracy for speed. As agencies shift from experimentation to large-scale AI deployment, leaders must balance innovation with accountability. This requires a strong awareness of data security, system integration and governance frameworks to ensure AI is implemented safely and effectively. With a focus on acceptable-use policies, data governance and enterprise AI security, this panel brings together public sector leaders and tech experts to discuss how to encourage innovation without increasing exposure.

Moderator: Dan Lohrmann, Senior Fellow, Government Technology

Robert Fulk, Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Secretary of State’s Office, State of Indiana

Tracy Gaynor, Director of Information Technology, City of Fishers

Greg Cooper, Technical Solutions Architect, Cisco Systems

Deep Dive: Post Quantum Cryptography

Waters E

Quantum computing, a rapidly advancing technology, has the potential to revolutionize government operations by changing the way data is processed. However, quantum computers also present a risk to current methods of cryptography, as they would be powerful enough to solve the mathematical problems behind most public-key algorithms. This panel will discuss the current state of quantum computing, the benefits offered by post-quantum cryptography, and what early steps the public sector should take to prepare for the future.

Moderator: Chris Henderson, Chief Relationship and Delivery Officer, Indiana Office of Technology

David Finta, Information Security Officer, Indiana Public Retirement System

Dr. Ruizhe Zhang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute

Incident Response and Reporting: Navigating Policy, Compliance and Cyber Resilience

Ditslear BC

In today’s evolving threat landscape, cyber incidents are no longer a matter of if—but when. As expectations around incident reporting and accountability grow for state and local agencies, organizations must be prepared not only to respond effectively, but also to navigate complex policy and legal reporting requirements. This session will highlight practical steps to strengthen resilience with a focus on incident reporting best practices, providing clarity on obligations with guidance to help ensure accurate, timely and compliant reporting.

Moderator: Dan Gin, IT Director, Town of Schererville

Derek Cheek, Service Delivery Manager, Information Services Agency, City of Indianapolis

Dan O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer, Innovation and Technology, City of South Bend

L. Scott Munoz, IT Director as a Service, Indiana Office of Technology

Lunch

Waters BC

General Session: Cybersecurity as Public Safety

Waters BC

When thinking about public safety, many people focus on traditional services such as police and fire departments. But even smaller, rural communities are prime targets for cyberattacks. In this insightful fireside chat, senior Indiana public safety officials outline the ways that cyber incidents can disrupt essential government operations just as severely as physical threats, making the case for treating cybersecurity as a core public safety concern that requires a proactive approach.

Moderator: Warren Lenard, Chief Information Officer, Indiana Office of Technology (IOT), State of Indiana

Cory Heffelfinger, Chief of Police, City of Auburn

Jonathan Whitham, Executive Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Sergeant Jeremy Brice, Indiana State Police

Short Break

Concurrent Sessions

Day One: When Expectations Meet Reality

Waters D

You’ve talked about it. You’ve planned and prepared as best you can. But this is the day the theoretical became reality. As the victim of a cyber

attack, what immediate actions do you need to take? Who are you obligated to contact? What best practices exist based upon the scope of the event? What might the next days and weeks look like? Hear firsthand how reality differed from expectations and what lessons were learned from those who experienced such an event.

Moderator: David Ayers, Interim Cybersecurity Program Director, Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity

Joel Heavner, Division Chief of Planning and Communications, Carmel Fire Department

Chris Mertens, Chief Information Officer, Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center

Thomas Rhyndress, Information Security Manager, St. Joseph County

From Curiosity to Capability: Perfecting the Use of AI in Government

Waters E

AI is no longer a future add-on for government; it’s here, and it’s already influencing how agencies manage records, improve customer experience and analyze data. The challenge is how to move from curiosity to practical capability. How can AI deliver immediate value today? And how do leaders set expectations without overselling the technology or underestimating the work involved? This session provides an overview of available tools and how to use them effectively, with a focus on real-world application, readiness and responsible adoption.

Moderator: Ranson Joseph Ricks, Deputy Director, Indiana University Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research

Keith Edwards, Deputy Chief Technology Officer – Director of Architecture, Indiana Office of Technology

Scott Maitland, Director of Enterprise Solutions, Indiana Management Performance Hub

Natalie Taylor DeWitt, City Council President, City of Auburn

Ramping Up: Understanding and Aligning with Compliance Standards

Ditslear BC

As cybersecurity compliance standards evolve, frameworks such as GovRAMP have become essential for securing cloud services in the public sector. This session provides an overview of these programs, why they matter for risk management and procurement, and how agencies can navigate requirements without slowing innovation. Gain a clearer understanding of what to look for in a vendor and how to align your organization with compliance expectations.

Moderator: Dan Lohrmann, Senior Fellow, Government Technology

Emily Larimer, Executive Director, Enterprise GRC and Resiliency Services, Indiana Office of Technology

Carl Madzelan, Information Security, Indiana Office of Technology

Ken Morris, Senior Security Advisor, Rampxchange

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors:

Deloitte, Gartner

General Session - Global Threats, Local Impact

Waters BC

Throughout history, warfare has always evolved alongside advances in technology. Although physical warfare is in no danger of becoming obsolete, experts warn that future conflicts will incorporate cyberattacks to create civilian disruption. The current situation in the Middle East has led to increased attacks against U.S. infrastructure such as water and electricity. Join security experts as they discuss the role of cyber in future conflicts and how local resilience must be addressed.

Moderator: Robert Fulk, Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Indiana Secretary of State

Matthew Crain, MS, Senior Information Security Analyst, Purdue University Technical Assistance Program

Kane Greer, Cybersecurity Specialist, City of South Bend

Sean Totten, Chief Security Officer, Town of Fishers Town

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

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

End of Conference

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