Nebraska Public Sector Cybersecurity & AI Summit 2026
Overview
The Nebraska Public Sector Cybersecurity & AI Summit is where government defends the future.
This public sector-focused event brings together IT security leaders, risk managers, and public officials to tackle the evolving cyber threats facing state and local government. Through expert-led sessions, peer exchange, and real-world case studies, attendees gain practical strategies to strengthen cyber resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and lead with confidence in an age of constant risk. Designed specifically for the public sector, this summit delivers insights you can act on and alliances you can trust!
The Nebraska Public Sector Cybersecurity & AI Summit brings together leaders and cybersecurity professionals from across our state to confront today's most pressing digital threats. This summit goes beyond awareness by delivering practical tools, proven strategies, and real-world insights that help teams prevent, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents. By strengthening both capabilities and partnerships, it plays a critical role in protecting the systems Nebraskans depend on every day.
- Bryce Bailey, State Deputy CIO & Chief Information Security Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), State of Nebraska
Speakers
Agenda
Thursday, October 22 |
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8:00 am Central |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
8:30 am Central |
Welcome and Opening RemarksBryce Bailey, Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), State of Nebraska |
8:45 am Central |
Keynote – Nevada's Statewide Cyberattack: A Case Study in Public Sector ResilienceWhen a statewide cyberattack hit Nevada, years of preparation were put to the ultimate test. This keynote takes attendees inside the response and recovery, exploring how practiced incident-response plans, executive alignment, infrastructure modernization, and trusted partnerships helped protect critical services and accelerate recovery. Hear what worked, what was learned under pressure, and why true cyber resilience goes far beyond technology. Nevada’s experience offers a compelling, real-world playbook for preparing for disruption, leading through crisis, and emerging stronger on the other side.
Timothy Galluzi, Executive Director and State Chief Information Officer, State of Nevada |
9:45 am Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
10:15 am Central |
Cyber Challenge Arena Public Sector Capture-the-Flag Competition (Ongoing)A live, hands-on cybersecurity competition running throughout the day. Participants will test their skills across threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability analysis in a realistic environment. Open to all experience levels, this interactive experience promotes collaboration, practical learning, and peer engagement.
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10:15 am Central |
General Session – When Systems Go Dark: Cyber Incident Response and Continuity PlanningWhen a cyberattack takes critical systems offline, the middle of the crisis is the worst time to decide who is in charge, who to call or how essential services will continue. This practical discussion will examine incident response, disaster recovery, COOP and business continuity, including how to make the right decisions quickly when staff, budgets and resources are limited. Panelists will cover call trees and escalation paths, trusted state and outside partners, maintaining essential services during an outage, and the templates and shared resources organizations can put in place now, before an incident becomes real.
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10:45 am Central |
General Session – Cyber + AI at City Hall: How Nebraska Municipalities Are Making It WorkLocal governments across Nebraska are navigating the opportunities, risks and realities of cybersecurity and AI at the same time. Panelists will share how they are approaching cyber initiatives, AI adoption, governance and day-to-day implementation at the local level. The conversation will highlight what communities are doing now, what they are learning along the way, and where collaboration can help local governments move forward more confidently as these priorities continue to evolve.
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11:30 am Central |
General Session – The Future of AI and What It Means for CybersecurityAI is advancing quickly, and cybersecurity strategies will need to evolve with it. Looking beyond today’s tools, this session will explore where frontier AI could be six months from now and what that shift could mean for cybersecurity teams. The conversation will make the future tangible by examining how advanced AI models are already being used to identify vulnerabilities, how they could change both attack and defense, and what organizations should be doing now to prepare. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of which emerging AI capabilities deserve their attention and which decisions cannot wait.
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12:15 pm Central |
Lunch |
1:15 pm Central |
Bits and Bytes – Inside the University of Nebraska’s AI InstituteThe University of Nebraska’s AI Institute is bringing together AI research, expertise and innovation from across all four NU campuses to create a more connected, statewide approach to artificial intelligence. Designed as a hub for collaboration rather than a centralized program, the Institute is working to connect researchers, expand AI literacy, develop responsible AI policy and strengthen partnerships with government, industry and communities. In this fast-paced session, get an inside look at how the Institute is taking shape, where its work is headed and how Nebraska’s growing AI expertise could translate into real-world impact across the state.
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1:30 pm Central |
General Session – Strengthening K-12 Cybersecurity Across NebraskaAs cyber threats continue to grow, K-12 organizations are under increasing pressure to strengthen protections while navigating limited resources and evolving requirements. Hear how Nebraska is advancing cybersecurity across its school districts, from the rollout of new cybersecurity legislation to the partnerships helping schools improve their security posture. The discussion will highlight practical steps districts can take to build more resilient programs, what is working, where challenges remain, and how greater coordination can help protect schools across the state.
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2:15 pm Central |
General Session – Pulling Back the Curtain: Vendor Risk in the Age of AIAI and cybersecurity capabilities are increasingly embedded in third-party tools, making vendor risk a critical part of the security equation. How do organizations evaluate vendors, assess data exposure and supply chain risks, and ask the right questions before bringing new technologies into their environments? This discussion will focus on strengthening procurement and vendor review practices, understanding how protected data may be handled by large language models and security platforms, and demanding greater transparency around access, integrations and decision-making. Attendees will leave with a stronger framework for evaluating new tools without compromising security, privacy or accountability.
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3:00 pm Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaPlease return to the general session room.
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3:30 pm Central |
General Session – Growing Our Own: Building Nebraska’s Cyber Talent PipelineThe demand for cybersecurity talent continues to grow, making it critical to build the pipeline before vacancies become crises. From partnerships with K-12 schools, colleges and universities to internships, hands-on learning and other workforce pathways, this discussion will explore how Nebraska organizations can attract, develop and retain the next generation of cyber professionals. It will also examine how employers can strengthen the skills of existing teams, increase awareness of cybersecurity careers and work together to create a sustainable talent pipeline for the state.
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4:15 pm Central |
General Session – Cybersecurity Without Silos, Securing Nebraska TogetherCybersecurity challenges do not stop at organizational boundaries, and neither should the response. Nebraska’s whole-of-state approach brings organizations together across traditional silos to share resources, strengthen capabilities and support one another. This closing conversation will highlight the partnerships, shared services and statewide initiatives helping build a more connected and resilient Nebraska, while examining what it takes to make collaboration work in practice. The message is simple: when one organization is impacted, the strength of the entire ecosystem matters.
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4:45 pm Central |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
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5:15 pm Central |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
1616 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 346-7600
DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
Planning Committee
Representatives
Bryce Bailey
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
State of Nebraska
PJ Biodrowski
Chief Information Officer
Sarpy County
Ben Faltys
Chief Information Security Officer
City of Lincoln
Rick Haugerud
Assistant Vice President for IT and Interim Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Services
University of Nebraska
Scott Isaacson
Chief Information Officer
Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council
April Kleinschmit
Lead IT Project Manager
Office of the Chief Information Officer
State of Nebraska
Derek Kruse
Chief Information Officer
Douglas Omaha Technology Commission
Candace Meredith
Deputy Director
Nebraska Association of County Officials
Cheri Polenske
Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
System Office IT
Nebraska State College System
Lynn Rex
Executive Director
League of Nebraska Municipalities
Chris Wlaschin
Information Systems Officer
Department of Education
State of Nebraska
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: October 22, 2026
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:
Amanda Wallace
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1315
E-mail:awallace@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
DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
1616 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 346-7600
Show Hotel & Parking
Room Block
Room Rate: $124 per night, single or double.
Rate Cut-Off Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
To Make a Reservation:
Phone: (402) 346-7600 and reference Nebraska Cyber Summit.
Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance.
Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel.
Map and Directions
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Omaha Downtown - Google Maps
Event Parking
Self-Parking: $15 per day
Instructions: Please bring your parking ticket with you to the event. Ask at our event registration desk for a parking voucher to receive the discounted rate at the pay station before leaving the garage.
Note: No trailers or RVs allowed.
Parking fees subject to change without notice.