Registration and Morning Refreshments

Grand Eagle Ballroom F-H and Foyer

Opening Remarks

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

Cybersecurity State of the State

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

This presentation will provide an in-depth look at Kansas’ cybersecurity landscape, key threats, and ongoing initiatives to strengthen cyber resilience. The session will highlight recent advancements in security frameworks, interagency collaboration, and strategies to combat emerging risks, such as deepfakes and social engineering. Attendees will gain insights into policy updates, incident response improvements, and future priorities aimed at safeguarding Kansas’ digital infrastructure.

John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom F-H

Concurrent Sessions

From Policy to Practice: Building Effective Cybersecurity Governance

Cypress AB (Level 2)

Strong cybersecurity starts with clear governance but knowing where to begin is often the biggest challenge. This session walks through how public-sector organizations can implement state policies, adopt proven frameworks, and use benchmarks such as CIS and CPG to assess maturity and strengthen IT and OT security across the enterprise.

Rick Whitson, Chief Information Officer, Director of Emergency Management

Back to Basics: The Core Elements of Cybersecurity

Redbud AB (Level 2)

Getting started with cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, especially with limited staff and budgets. This session breaks down the essential considerations, such as where to start, what to prioritize first, how to choose and evaluate service providers, free or low-cost resources, cybersecurity insurance and more. Attendees will leave with practical, manageable steps toward a stronger security posture.

Dustin Coureton, IT Director, Franklin County

Jesse Knight, Emergency Manager, Lincoln County

Leticia Rust, Senior Director, CyROC, Emporia State University

Nick Simmons, VP – Cybersecurity, LevelBlue

Incident Response Planning – Ready, Set, Respond!

Redbud C (Level 2)

Is your organization truly ready to respond to a cyber incident? This session offers practical guidance on building, testing, and improving incident response plans, from preparation and detection to containment and eradication, with a clear focus on roles, communication, and crisis coordination. Learn from real-world incidents, tabletop exercises, and proven next steps to strengthen readiness and ensure your response works when it matters most.

Eric Tolbert, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Analyst, Kansas Information Security Office (KISO), State of Kansas

Lunch

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Lunch Keynote

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Cybersecurity has come a long way, but have security practitioners and leaders evolved with it? From the days of firewalls and simple antivirus tools to today’s AI-driven, always‑connected and cloud-centered world, the threat landscape has transformed faster than most organizations can keep up with. Teams are constantly learning new technologies, juggling complex systems and trying to secure critical services under relentless pressure. In this session, we’ll take a look at how we got here and why cybersecurity sits at the heart of every business decision more and more every day. We’ll break down what this rapid evolution means for leaders, practitioners and the organizations they serve. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with practical communication strategies learned from the trenches for gaining buy‑in, securing the budget you need and building stronger partnerships across IT, development and leadership. You’ll come away with not only a better understanding of how and why cybersecurity has shifted but a stronger confidence in being more equipped to drive better outcomes in a world that refuses to slow down.

Nathan Wenzler, Field Chief Information Security Officer, Optiv

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom F-H

Concurrent Sessions

Proving the Value of Cybersecurity Funding

Cypress AB (Level 2)

Cybersecurity funding often competes with many organizational priorities and requires clear justification. This session explores what our elected officials care about, what their pain points are, and how to get their attention in a meaningful way. Participants will learn how to engage with decision‑makers, so they understand the risks, challenges, and needs facing their organizations. The session also highlights how to use practical examples and targeted conversations to uncover where gaps exist in current plans and people, enabling IT leaders to strengthen their approach and better align cybersecurity investments with mission objectives.

Moderator: Alyssa Boss, Network Administrator, Dickinson County

Chancy Smith, Emergency Management Director, Dickinson County

Navigating Public-Private Partnerships

Redbud AB (Level 2)

Strong cybersecurity depends on collaboration and trusted relationships across the public and private sectors. In this session, experts explore practical ways that governments can work with vendors, peer organizations, and collaboratives to share information, coordinate response, and strengthen preparedness before incidents occur.

From Vulnerabilities to Visibility

Redbud C (Level 2)

Vulnerabilities and endpoints are where many attacks begin—and where strong security programs are built. This session explores practical approaches to vulnerability management, endpoint protection, and building or strengthening a Security Operations Center to improve visibility, detection, and response across public-sector environments, while balancing security, compliance, and strategic priorities in an evolving threat landscape.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners (Industry Sponsors Only)

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom F-H

KISO Updates: Advancing Statewide Cybersecurity Collaboration and Preparedness

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

With the integration of the Cybersecurity Collaboration and Preparedness (CSCP) program, KISO is driving new statewide initiatives to strengthen cyber resilience. This session will provide updates on key projects, including a large-scale cybersecurity exercise, statewide public sector training partnerships, and ongoing focus on Operational Technology and Critical Infrastructure.

Erin McGinnis, Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration and Preparedness, State of Kansas

Special Guest

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Concluding Insights: A Collective Path Forward

Grand Eagle Ballroom A-E

Join KISO leaders for a closing reflection on the day's discussions and insights. This session will reaffirm the strong support and resources within the state's cybersecurity priorities to enhance public services. Together, these insights and reflections underscore the continued collaborative efforts for the future.

Erin McGinnis, Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration and Preparedness, State of Kansas

John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom F-H

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

End of Conference

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