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.
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
Wednesday, October 22 |
|
9:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:30 am Eastern |
Welcome and Opening RemarksRex 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 NextRex 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 EngineeringSocial 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 ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
46100 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48374
(248) 348-5600
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
Tammie Buehler
Client Director
Trace3
Kerry DeBano
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte
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