Missouri Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit focuses on addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by the public sector. The event brings together government leaders and IT security professionals to discuss strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, and staying ahead of evolving threats. Attendees can expect expert insights, collaborative discussions, and practical solutions tailored to the needs of public sector organizations.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Welcome to our 2025 Cybersecurity Summit! We are excited to have you join us. Today, you will hear from leading security experts to learn more about the cyber threat landscape and the impact of technology advancements. You will also learn about strategies and technologies being used to fortify the future of cybersecurity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform information technology as we know it. We hope that today’s conversations will lead to collaborative and innovative solutions to ensure that we can continue to safely provide services to Missouri citizens. Cybersecurity is a group effort!

– Shawn Ivy, State of Missouri Office of Administration Chief Information Security Officer

Speakers

Zach Lewis

Zach Lewis

CIO and CISO, University of Health & Pharmacy in St. Louis

Zach Lewis currently serves as the CIO and CISO for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and chairs the Enterprise Risk Management committee. Zach has over 13 years’ experience working in Tech Start-ups, Energy, Higher Education, and Consulting. He is an officer in the St. Louis Chapter of InfraGard, which is a partnership between the FBI and private sector for the protection of U.S. Critical Infrastructure.
With a focus on aligning IT strategies with organizational goals, Zach has led successful cloud migrations, implemented robust cybersecurity measures, and established a culture of transparency and collaboration. His expertise extends to compliance with GLBA and FERPA regulations, managing cybersecurity training programs, and optimizing network infrastructure. Zach's passion for innovation, user-centric approach, and ability to build cross-functional teams have been instrumental in driving organizational success, enhancing cybersecurity defenses, and positioning the institution as a leader in health education and operational excellence.
Zach is a 3X recipient of Cyber Defense Magazine’s Top Global CISOs and was St. Louis Non-Profit CISO of the Year. He’s a recent graduate of the FBI CISO Academy. His first published book, Locked Up: Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation Lessons from A Real-World LockBit Ransomware Response will be released in January 2026. Zach provides his industry expertise to others by speaking at conferences, webinars, and universities throughout the country.

More
Jason Volkart

Jason Volkart

Director of Information Systems, Missouri Department of Transportation

Jason Volkart currently serves as the Director of Information Systems for the Missouri Department of Transportation. Prior to becoming Director and Assistant Director, he was hired in 2020 to start the Cyber Security team at MoDOT. Jason also has 20 years with the Office of Administration, Information Technology Services Division (OA-ITSD). While at OA-ITSD he served as Enterprise Architect, IT Director, and Statewide Network Director. Through the journey of his State career, Jason took part in mitigating a DDoS attack (2014) and a fully exploited ransomware event (2024).

More

Agenda

Wednesday October 29

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Central

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Shawn Ivy, State of Missouri Office of Administration, Chief Information Security Officer

9:15 am Central

Keynote – Inside the Hacker's Playbook: Learning from Attackers to Optimize Defenses

Hackers and bad actors have become more sophisticated than ever. Understanding how they operate and approach the attack vector is crucial to understanding the complexities of a potential cyber-attack. In this session, ethical Hacker Mishall Khan will walk us through a cyber battle - exploring each layer of an attack from the perspective of both the attacker and defender. Join us as we discuss best practices to enhance our security posture while providing actionable insights to fortify your defenses

Mishaal Khan, Hacker, Author, and Speaker

10:15 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am Central

General Session – Cyber Busters - Who Do You Call?

When cyber trouble strikes, who do you call first? From third-party risk to full-scale breaches, the first step can determine the outcome. Do you have agreements in place, and are the right partners ready to act? This conversation will explore how agencies can identify trusted responders, establish vendor accountability, and map out escalation paths. Learn how preparation today prevents hesitation tomorrow. Are you confident that your organization knows exactly who to call when the worst happens.

Moderator: Jessica Byerly, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Kathleen Herrell, Cyber Operations Chief, Cyber Warfare Technician, Missouri National Guard

Zach Lewis, CIO and CISO, University of Health & Pharmacy in St. Louis

Jason Volkart, Information Systems Director, Missouri Department of Transportation

11:30 am Central

General Session – Planning Together Sharing Hardware and Data

Agencies often operate with fragmented views of what hardware, data, and systems exist across the enterprise. That lack of visibility creates blind spots for risk and resilience. What would it look like if every team had the same map of assets and could share information seamlessly? We will focus on the power of collaborative planning, shared inventories, and interagency coordination. Are you ready to discover how a culture of “sharing is caring” can lead to stronger protection for everyone?

12:15 pm Central

Lunch

1:00 pm Central

General Session – Hacktivists Colliding Worlds of Cyber and Reality

Hacktivism is not an abstract risk; it is happening in real time, from global events like the World Cup to local disruptions like the Ferguson attack. Hackers use widely available tools, and smaller agencies are often targets. What is the dark web planning, and how do you know if you’re in their sights? Let’s uncover the realities of hacktivist activity, why no organization is too small, and what monitoring tools can reveal. Is your agency prepared for when digital activism hits home?

Moderator: Angela Robinson, Cybersecurity Specialist, Missouri Office of Homeland Security

Brian Maydwell, Cybersecurity Specialist, Missouri Department of Public Safety

Madison Miller, Cybersecurity Specialist, Missouri Department of Public Safety

1:45 pm Central

General Session – Strengthening Incident Response from Start to Finish

Too often, agencies skip crucial steps in incident response, moving straight to containment or remediation without a complete understanding. But the earliest phases of identification, intelligence collection, and investigation are essential for long-term resilience. How can leaders ensure their teams walk through the full lifecycle of response without cutting corners? Explore how to design, test, and refine incident response plans, including the role of tabletop exercises. Is your organization truly prepared to learn before you act when the next threat emerges?

Moderator: Shawn Ivy, Chief Information Security Officer, Missouri Office of Administration

Craig Davenport, Director of Cyber Security, Missouri Office of Administration

Kathleen Herrell, Cyber Operations Chief, Cyber Warfare Technician, Missouri National Guard

Angela Robinson, Cybersecurity Specialist, Missouri Office of Homeland Security

2:30 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:50 pm Central

General Session – Preventing Cloud Misconfigurations Before They Happen

Cloud adoption is nearly universal, but many agencies underestimate their role in securing it. Misconfigurations are one of the leading causes of breaches, and shared responsibility is often misunderstood. How can you ensure compliance, enforce protections, and prevent costly mistakes in your environment? Examine how to identify weak points, build clarity around responsibilities, and leverage security tools from providers. Is your agency confident it knows who is accountable and how to keep cloud data safe from compromise?

3:35 pm Central

General Session – AI Security and the Next Wave of Cyber Threats

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming cybersecurity, yet it also opens the door to new risks. From data readiness and privacy to the looming disruption of quantum computing, how can agencies prepare today for the threats of tomorrow? What safeguards are needed to address shadow IT and unsecure software that quietly erode security posture? This conversation unpacks both emerging dangers and opportunities in AI security. Is your agency ready to protect citizen data in a world where the rules are still being written?

4:20 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

4:45 pm Central

End of Conference

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

Capitol Plaza Hotel

415 W McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-1234

Get Directions To
Capitol Plaza Hotel

Planning Committee

Representatives

Jeffrey Arnel
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Cyber Security
Missouri Office of Administration

Pat Brooks
Chief Information Officer
Missouri Courts

Jeff Coiner
Chief Information Officer
Information Systems
Missouri State University

Craig Davenport
Director of Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Office of Cyber Security
Missouri Office of Administration

Charles Henderson
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Franklin County

Katie Herrell
Cyber Operations Chief
Missouri National Guard

Shawn Ivy
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Cyber Security
Missouri Office of Administration

John Laurent
Chief Information Officer
Missouri Office of Administration

Paula Peters
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Missouri Office of Administration

Lisa Scheulen
Chief Technology Officer
Public School Retirement System of Missouri

Gloria Stephenson
Associate Director
Cybersecurity & LAN Services
MOREnet

Megan Stokes
Director of Cloud Security & Strategy
Office of Cyber Security
Missouri Office of Administration

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: October 29, 2025

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:

Abigail Suiter
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1405
E-mail: asuiter@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

Capitol Plaza Hotel

415 W McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-1234