Indiana Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2026 Banner

Overview

The Indiana 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 Indiana Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit brings together leaders and experts dedicated to safeguarding our state’s digital infrastructure. This event is an essential forum for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and strengthening our collective defense against evolving cyber threats. It’s an invaluable opportunity for public sector professionals to collaborate and advance Indiana’s cybersecurity resilience.

- Warren Lenard, Chief Information Officer

Speakers

Warren Lenard

Warren Lenard LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, Indiana Office of Technology

Warren Lenard was appointed by Governor Mike Braun in March 2025. Lenard is a senior IT executive who has worked for organizations of all sizes in vertical markets such as retail, entertainment and media, legal and, most recently, automotive financial services. He serves as a mentor for up-and-coming leaders, is a major supporter of women’s leadership organizations and is active in various councils and charitable causes.
Prior to joining IOT, Lenard served as the Chief Information Officer for the Byrider automotive dealerships. During his time at Byrider, Lenard led the IT organization through organizational, technological and cultural change touching all aspects of the business as well as company culture.
In addition to corporate IT roles, Lenard serves as the President and SIM Enclave Chair of the Indianapolis Chapter of The Society for Information Management. He also is a member of the City of Carmel IT Advisory Committee and has worked with Butler  University in advisory and coaching capacities.

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Tarah Wheeler

Tarah Wheeler

Cybersecurity Expert, White Hat Hacker

Tarah Wheeler is a renowned information security executive, white hat hacker, and social scientist. She equips organizations with tools to safeguard data and reputations, specializing in building resilient cybersecurity systems. As a Senior Fellow for Global Cyber Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations and a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, she is a leading voice on global cyber policy and cyber warfare.
A US/UK Fulbright Scholar in Cyber Security, Wheeler has held roles at Splunk, Symantec, Microsoft Game Studios, and Harvard’s Belfer Center. She has advised organizations across industries and spoken globally, including at the U.S. Senate, the European Union, and the Federal Trade Commission. Named the top female cybersecurity influencer by Onalytica, she is known for simplifying complex cybersecurity concepts and advocating for the advancement of women in tech.
Wheeler authored the best-selling Women in Tech and frequently contributes to Foreign Policy and the Washington Post on cybersecurity issues. When not advising on digital security, she’s an accomplished poker player with multiple cashes in the World Series of Poker, having even funded her startup with her poker winnings.

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Agenda

Wednesday, June 17

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

9:00 am Eastern

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Waters BC

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

9:15 am Eastern

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

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

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

10:45 am Eastern

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.

Tracy Gaynor, Director of Information Technology, City of Fishers

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.

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

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Waters BC

12:45 am Eastern

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.

1:30 pm Eastern

Short Break

1:45 pm Eastern

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 cyberattack, 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.

Thomas Rhyndress, Network Security Engineer, 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.

Ramping Up: Understanding and Aligning with Compliance Standards

Ditslear BC

As cybersecurity compliance standards evolve, frameworks such as GovRAMP and StateRAMP 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.

2:45 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

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

3:15 pm Eastern

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.

4:00 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Waters A

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.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville

13700 Conference Center Drive South
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 674-1900

Get Directions To
Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville

Planning Committee

Representatives

Gary Bierman
IT Director
Floyd County

Gideon Bower
Local Government Program, Operations Director
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Marianne Cardwell
Geographic Information Officer
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Natalie Dewitt
City Council President
City Council
City of Auburn

Brett Edstene
Director, Local Government Program
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Dave Fox
Chief Technology Officer
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Dan Gin
IT Director
Town of Schereville

Collin Hill
Chief Information Officer
City of Indianapolis

Hemant Jain
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Warren Lenard
Chief Information Officer
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Graig Lubsen
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Office of Technology
State of Indiana

Thomas Rhyndress
Network Security Engineer
Information Technology
St. Joseph County

Sean Totten
Chief Security Officer
Information Technology
City of Fishers

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: June 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:

Lindsay Anthis
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1495
E-mail: lanthis@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

Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville

13700 Conference Center Drive South
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 674-1900

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Room Block

Room Rate: $186 per night, single.
Rate Cut-off Date: Monday, May 18, 2026.
To Make a Reservation:
   Phone: (317) 674-1900 and reference Group Code CES93J or Indiana Public Sector.
   Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance.

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel.

Map and Directions

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/indnbes-embassy-suites-noblesville-indianapolis-conference-center/

Event Parking

Self-parking: Onsite, complimentary.