Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

Opening Remarks

Grand Eagle Ballroom

Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas

Cybersecurity State of the State

Grand Eagle Ballroom

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

Keynote – The Cybersecurity Cheat Sheet: Essentials Every IT Professional Should Know

Grand Eagle Ballroom

Cyber threats are escalating rapidly, but securing your organization starts with mastering the basics. How do you effectively document your network and keep it updated? What free or low-cost tools can you leverage to manage vulnerabilities and reduce risk? Get ready to uncover practical strategies and actionable insights that you and your teams can implement right away. This dynamic session explores essential techniques like patch management, network documentation, penetration testing, and leveraging built-in tools to strengthen your organization’s cyber defenses without breaking the bank.

Jayson Ferron, Cybersecurity Evangelist

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

Building Strong IT & Cybersecurity Governance: Policies, Procedures, and Best Practices

Redbud A

This session will explore the importance of establishing strong IT and cybersecurity governance within organizations, focusing on the development of effective policies and procedures. Attendees will learn practical approaches to building solid governance frameworks, along with guidelines, templates, and best practices for creating and implementing policies. Attendees will gain valuable insights on addressing governance gaps and ensuring robust cybersecurity management.

Danielle Alvarez, Cybersecurity Managing Director, Accenture

John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

Jason Hildebrandt, Deputy IT Architect, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Kansas

Soledad Antelada Toledano, Security Advisor, Office of the CISO, Public Sector, Google Cloud Security

Nathan Wallace, Chief Security Officer, City of Newton

Enhancing Cybersecurity through Optimized Partner Relationships

Redbud B

This session will focus on the role of strong partner relationships in enhancing cybersecurity for state and local governments. Attendees will learn strategies for optimizing vendor relationships, ensuring security compliance, and mitigating risks through collaborative efforts. Key topics will include setting security standards, monitoring performance, and verifying adherence to cybersecurity and disaster recovery requirements in outsourcing and vendor agreements.

Moderator: Greg Gann, IT Business Solutions Group Director, Division of Information Technology, Sedgwick County

Alyssa Boss, Network Administrator, Dickinson County

Kevin Mapes, Chief Information Officer, Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Education

Redbud C

As schools and universities embrace advanced networking technologies, they also face heightened cybersecurity risks. The recent PowerSchool cyber-attack exposed vulnerabilities in education IT systems, prompting institutions to reevaluate their defenses. In this session, learn how affected schools are recovering, the strategies they are implementing to fortify their cybersecurity posture, and key takeaways to enhance resilience against future threats.

Moderator: Christopher Fletcher, Information Systems Manager, Department of Education, State of Kansas

Bill Higginbotham, Associate Director, Cybersecurity Consulting – LevelBlue/ AT&T

Mark Rodee, Chief Information Security Officer, Wichita State University

Lunch

Grand Eagle Ballroom

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent session rooms.

Concurrent Sessions

Crafting Effective Cyber Exercises to Engage Stakeholders & Strengthen Resilience

Redbud A

Cyber tabletop exercises (TTEs) are powerful tools for preparing organizations to respond to security incidents, but crafting an effective exercise requires strategy. This session will explore the best practices for designing and conducting TTEs, engaging end-users and stakeholders in cybersecurity, and aligning IT and business priorities. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into running impactful simulations, equipping smaller jurisdictions for ransomware response, and developing an incident response plan from scratch.

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

Maximizing IT Resources & Cybersecurity Funding for Public Agencies

Redbud B

Public sector organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity posture by leveraging existing state-contracted IT vendors and free resources. This session will provide insights on navigating procurement processes, utilizing vetted vendors, and accessing newly available cybersecurity tools. Additionally, learn how Kansas agencies can qualify for cybersecurity grants to enhance protection and resilience.

Moderator:Samuel Alva, Sector Specific CPG Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (former)

Amber Wallace, Cyber Security and Risk Manager, Technology and Innovation, Johnson County

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners (Industry Sponsors Only)

Redbud C

This exclusive briefing for industry partners will provide the latest initiatives from KISO, guidance for vendors on navigating the procurement process and becoming an approved vendor for Kansas, as well as an overview of the grant funding process.

John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas

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

Jeni Smith, Grants Manager, State of Kansas

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

General Session – KISO Updates: Advancing Statewide Cybersecurity Collaboration & Preparedness

Grand Eagle Ballroom

With the integration of the CyberSecurity Collaboration & 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 in partnership with the National Guard, and a potential beta program in collaboration with the Office of National Cyber Defense. Learn how these efforts aim to enhance statewide cyber defense strategies

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

General Session – The Power of GMIS: Bringing the IT Community Together

Grand Eagle Ballroom

This session provides an overview of GMIS and its role in the public sector IT community. Speakers will discuss the value of connections and collaboration, sharing real-world experiences on how GMIS supports IT professionals in government. Attendees will learn how the organization fosters resource sharing, problem-solving, and peer support within the public sector.

Moderator: Brenda Ternes, President, GMIS International and IT Director, City of Newton

Eric Albright, GMIS Member and Director of IT, Sherman County / NW KS Ambulance Service

Alyssa Boss, GMIS Member and Network Administrator, Dickinson County

Andrew Darrow, Kansas GMIS President and Director of Information Technology, City of Junction City

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

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

End of Conference

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