Michigan High School Cyber Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

Cyber-attacks have increased dramatically in recent years. The 3rd Annual Michigan High School Cyber Summit provides an opportunity for young people to learn about the latest efforts to defend against cyber criminals in both the public and private sectors. This event also creates an opportunity to showcase the variety of career opportunities available in cybersecurity and outline the path to secure those jobs.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

MI Cyber High School Day 2025: Quote
The Michigan High School Cyber Summit gives students from across the state the opportunity to explore careers in cybersecurity and IT, while outlining a path to land those jobs. Today’s students are tomorrow’s IT leaders, and this event helps us create a talent pipeline that will help ensure a safe, secure digital environment now and in the future.

- Laura Clark, Chief Information Officer, State of Michigan


The Michigan High School Cyber Summit attracts hundreds of high school students from across the state to take part in an engaging half-day agenda highlighting cybersecurity trends, best practices, and career opportunities. This summit gives students the chance to interact directly with cybersecurity experts and top industry professionals while collaborating and networking with their peers.

- Caleb Buhs, Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget

Speakers

Laura Clark

Laura Clark

Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, Management & Budget ("DTMB"), State of Michigan

Laura Clark serves as the chief information officer (CIO) for the State of Michigan, directing the state’s technology and security efforts. As deputy director for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB), she also oversees operations for the department, which provides information technology, business, and administrative services to state employees and stakeholders, as well as Michigan residents, visitors, and businesses.
During her 20-year career in public service, Clark has embraced a hands-on, adaptable approach to leadership. Since being appointed as CIO by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, she has helped the State of Michigan achieve success through many initiatives, such as the launch of the award-winning Michigan Secure mobile app and successfully securing $20 million in critical cybersecurity funding from the Michigan Legislature for statewide security enhancements.
In her day-to-day work, Clark values the contributions of every person on DTMB’s 5,000 member team and has the unique ability to connect her sense of purpose and service with the overall work and mission of directing the State of Michigan’s technology and security efforts. She leads by example, seeking out opportunities that will allow those around her to succeed. Throughout these efforts, Clark’s compassion, patience, experience, and skills as are helping DTMB and the entire state forge a successful path into the digital future.

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Caleb Buhs

Caleb Buhs LinkedIn

Chief Deputy Director, Department of Technology, Management and Budget, State of Michigan 

Caleb Buhs serves as the chief deputy director for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB), a position he was appointed to in 2023. In his role, Buhs directs the business and administrative operations for the agency of 2,800 employees, who provide information technology, business, and administrative services to Michigan residents, businesses, state agencies, state employees, and retirees.
Driven by a passion for public service, Buhs has spent nearly two decades working to improve government services for the benefit of all Michiganders. As a member of DTMB’s leadership team, he helps foster a culture of engaged employees to ensure the delivery of outstanding customer service, areas in which DTMB has consistently exceeded national benchmarks.
Buhs began his public service career with the State of Michigan in 2004 and has served as the public information officer and economic development advisor for the Department of Insurance and Financial Service, deputy press secretary for the governor, and communications specialist for the Department of Treasury.  Prior to being named chief deputy director, he served more than eight years as the communications director for DTMB.
Buhs holds a bachelor’s degree in integrative public relations from Central Michigan University. He maintains an active presence in his community, serving as a school board member for Charlotte Public Schools, including two terms as president, and having coached numerous youth sports teams. 

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Agenda

Wednesday, October 22

9:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:30 am Eastern

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Rex Menold, Chief Technology Officer, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget

9:40 am Eastern

Keynote – Keep Your Head Out of the Cyber Sand: Using Superior Communications to Get the Job Done!

Risk can take on many forms and governments must understand how to accept it, mitigate it, or insure against it while not sticking their head in the sand to ignore it. How will you assess your cyber risks and balance them against your needs? How will you make the rational decisions needed to be successful? How will you navigate the road to recovery? This session will answer these questions with a focus on ideas that will help you engage your leaders with real-world examples.

Bryce Austin, CEO, TCE Strategy

10:20 am Eastern

What’s Next

Rex Menold, Chief Technology Officer, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget

10:30 am Eastern

Interactive Experiences: Rotation 1

11:00 am Eastern

Interactive Experiences: Rotation 2

11:30 am Eastern

General Session: "What It’s Really Like: A Day in the Life of Tech Pros"

Ever wonder what people in IT, Cybersecurity, or AI actually do all day? In this fast-paced session, recent grads share what it’s like to land your first job in tech from stopping cyberattacks to building smart systems and solving real-world problems. You’ll hear quick stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and get the chance to ask your own questions.

No buzzwords. No boring lectures. Just the real deal from people who were in your shoes not long ago.

12:00 pm Eastern

Buffet Lunch + Networking Break

1:00 pm Eastern

Interactive Experiences: Rotation 3

1:30 pm Eastern

Interactive Experiences: Rotation 4

2:00 pm Eastern

General Session: Inside the Mind of a Hacker: Outsmarting Social Engineering

Social engineering is today’s most effective cyber weapon — and it targets people, not just systems. In this engaging 30-minute main stage session, you’ll explore how hackers use psychology, trust, and misdirection to manipulate their way past security. Through live audience interaction, real-world examples, and rapid-fire challenges, you'll learn to recognize common social engineering tactics like phishing, impersonation, and baiting. Step into the mindset of an attacker, test your instincts, and walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your human firewall.

2:30 am Eastern

Closing Remarks

2:45 pm Eastern

End of Conference

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

Suburban Collection Showplace

46100 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48374
(248) 348-5600

Get Directions To
Suburban Collection Showplace

Planning Committee

Representatives

Dantae Barden
MiSOC
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Jamie Bennett
Deputy Chief Security Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Roger Blake
Chief Executive Officer
Merit

Caleb Buhs
Chief Deputy Director
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Jayson Cavendish
Director of Performance Management
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Laura Clark
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Danielle Davis
Senior Executive Management Assistant
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Michelle McClish
Cybersecurity Local Partnerships
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Sydney Mezy
MiSOC
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Brian Pillar
IT Protect Deliery Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Michael Sauer
Director
Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute at Northern Michigan University

Megan Schrauben
MiSTEM Executive Director
State of Michigan

Tamara Shoemaker
President
Midwest MCISSE Chapter, Cyber Patriot Program

Sarah Tennant
Senior Sector Development Director & Cyber Advisory
Michigan Economic Develompent Corporation
MI Economic Development Corporation

Cheryl Wilson
Computer Science Consultant
Michigan Department of Education
State of Michigan

Laura Wotruba
Communications Director
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan

Larry Wyn
Michigan Statewide Program Manager for Code.org, MiSTEM CS Program Manager
Grand Valley State University

Industry Representatives

Tammie Buehler
Client Director
Trace3

Kerry DeBano
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: October 22, 2025

Educators: Interested in bringing students from the upcoming 2025/2026 school year? Fill out this interest form to receive more information and be notified when registration opens: https://events.esd.org/mi-hs-cyber-interest/

For general questions on the 2025 event, contact:

Jennifer Caldwell
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1345
E-mail: jcaldwell@govtech.com

Venue

Suburban Collection Showplace

46100 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48374
(248) 348-5600