Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2026 Banner

Overview

The Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity 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!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

In government, our mission is not only to reduce risk, but to do so in a way that supports continuity of public services, responsible stewardship of resources, and earn the trust Oregonians place in us. The Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit brings public‑sector IT leaders together to collaborate, exchange insights, and advance cybersecurity resilience statewide.

– Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Speakers

Terrence Woods

Terrence Woods

Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Before being appointed State CIO in 2018, Terrence was the State Deputy CIO, the Department of Revenue CIO, the Oregon Health Authority Director of IT, and the Department of Human Services Deputy CIO.
Prior to joining state government, Terrence was the Human Resources Manager and Regional Technology Manager for Safeco Insurance.
Taking to heart the interests of state government and the Oregonians it serves, Terrence is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Link Oregon, a non-profit organization providing high-speed, fiber-optic broadband connectivity to our state’s public and non-profit sectors.
Terrence earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information Systems from Portland State University.
Extending his education of organizational behavior and passion for people, Terrence is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner as well as a Leadership and Executive Coach certified by the Hudson Institute of Coaching.
When the opportunity arises, Terrence is an outdoor enthusiast enjoying camping and ATV riding.
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Rachel Wilson

Rachel Wilson

Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Former NSA Senior Executive

Rachel Wilson is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Chief Data Officer. Her team of security professionals is responsible for protecting all sensitive client data from any type of theft, loss or compromise. She also oversees the resilience of Wealth Management’s critical infrastructure and the continuity of core business processes at times of turbulence. Additionally, Rachel supervises the client fraud risk program, which institutes technical and business controls to help prevent unauthorized access to or misuse of client funds. As a senior subject matter expert, Rachel regularly advises Wealth Management leadership and clients on the cyber threat landscape and mitigation strategies.
From 2017-2020, Rachel served as the first-ever Head of Wealth Management Cybersecurity. In this role, Rachel advised senior business and technology leaders on a range of cybersecurity issues, including secure code development standards, secure network architecture, vendor relationships, advanced persistent threat (APT) detection and mobile security. Her team drove innovation for new cybersecurity and authentication technology in the pursuit of protecting the integrity and confidentiality of firm and client data. In 2019, Rachel was recognized by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as part of the MAKERS Class, a program that honors women who serve as groundbreakers, innovators and advocates. She was also named one of the Top Women in WealthTech 2020 by ThinkAdvisor.
Prior to joining the firm in 2017, Rachel spent 15 years at the National Security Agency (NSA), where she held several key senior executive-level leadership positions. Between 2008 and 2010, she ran NSA’s counterterrorism operations and led a global enterprise in detecting and disrupting terrorist plotting against the U.S. and its allies. Between 2010 and 2012, Rachel served as NSA’s Chief of Operations in the U.K., working out of the U.S. Embassy in London. In this role, she worked with U.K. intelligence services to counter terrorist and cyber threats to the 2012 Olympics. Returning to the U.S. in 2012, Rachel spent nearly five years leading NSA’s cyber exploitation operations as the Deputy and then Chief of the Remote Operations Center within NSA’s Tailored Access Operations. In this capacity, she led the planning and execution of thousands of cyber exploitation operations against a wide array of foreign intelligence, military and cyber targets, and served as the committing official for many of NSA’s highest risk and most important intelligence gathering activities.
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Cinnamon Albin

Cinnamon Albin

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Servies, State of Oregon

Ranee Bray

Ranee Bray

Chief Information Security Officer, Multnomah County

Ranee Bray, CISSP, is the Chief Information Security Officer for Multnomah County, Oregon, where she drives enterprise cybersecurity strategy and security operations. She brings over a decade of experience scaling security programs across high-growth tech and financial services. A leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM), Zero Trust architecture, and AI governance, Ranee previously served as Senior Director of Enterprise Security at Cloudflare—where she scaled the IAM engineering organization from 3 to 25 engineers—and held senior security roles at Silicon Valley Bank and Charles Schwab. She holds CISM, CRISC, AAISM and PMP credentials and is passionate about mentoring emerging cybersecurity leaders.
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Hector Dominguez

Hector Dominguez

Privacy and Surveillance Technologies Lead, Data and Privacy Office, City of Portland

Kevin Galusha

Kevin Galusha

Cybersecurity Architect, Clackamas County

Kevin Galusha is a seasoned cybersecurity professional whose experience in local government and military cyber warfare operations provides a distinctive perspective on public-sector security challenges. He currently chairs the Oregon Cyber Disruption Workgroup, fostering collaboration among state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) entities across Oregon. A recipient of the MS-ISAC Community Impact Award, Kevin focuses on threat and vulnerability management while demonstrating strong team leadership. He is skilled in organizing security initiatives, leading incident response, and strengthening cyber operational capabilities. Committed to helping organizations improve their security posture, he is also passionate about connecting professionals with meaningful opportunities in the field.
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Ben Gherezgiher

Ben Gherezgiher

Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Ben has over 30 years experience in information technology leadership mainly in the public safety and security supporting law enforcement and justice side of State government. In Oregon, served as assistant state CIO for the public safety policy area, starting August of 2022 assumed the role of Chief Information Security Officer and director of state cybersecurity services. He also serves as the current chair of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence advisory council.
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Dr. Jimmy Godard

Dr. Jimmy Godard

Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Dan Lohrmann

Dan Lohrmann

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government 

Daniel J. Lohrmann is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader, technologist, keynote speaker and author.
During his distinguished career, Dan has served global organizations in the public and private sectors in a variety of executive leadership capacities, receiving numerous national awards including: CSO of the Year, Public Official of the Year and Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leader.
Lohrmann led Michigan government’s cybersecurity and technology infrastructure teams from May 2002 – August 2014, including enterprise-wide Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) roles in Michigan. He works with cybersecurity technology companies to provide insights and long-term strategic support. Dan is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Digital Government and a contributor to Government Technology magazine. He has advised senior leaders at the White House, National Governors Association (NGA), National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal, state and local government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and non-profit institutions.
Dan has more than 30 years of experience in the computer industry, beginning his career with the National Security Agency. He worked for three years in England as a senior network engineer for Lockheed Martin (formerly Loral Aerospace) and for four years as a technical director for ManTech International in a U.S./UK military facility. He has been a keynote speaker at global security and technology conferences from South Africa to Dubai and from Washington D.C. to Moscow.
Dan currently serves as Field CISO for the public sector at Presidio. He is the co-author of Cyber Mayday and the Day After: A Leader's Guide to Preparing, Managing, and Recovering from Inevitable Business Disruptions, published by Wiley in November, 2021. He is also the author of two earlier books: Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating the Brave New Web and BYOD For You: The Guide to Bring Your Own Device to Work.
Lohrmann holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science (CS) from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Bachelor's Degree in CS from Valparaiso University in Indiana.
Follow Dan on Twitter at: @govcso
Dan’s award-winning blog: http://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/
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Tyler Roppe

Tyler Roppe

Cybersecurity and AI Governance Officer, City of Redmond

With 20 years of experience navigating between the public sector, information technology and cybersecurity, Tyler Roppe currently serves as the Cybersecurity & AI Governance Officer for the City of Redmond, Oregon. In this emerging role, Tyler tackles the critical intersection of cybersecurity and AI governance to adapt, evolve and expand cybersecurity principles to the nascent technologies posed by artificial intelligence, protecting the organization from a transforming threat landscape while aligning AI adoption with the maturity of AI oversight and governance.
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Birol Yesilada

Birol Yesilada

Professor and Director, Cybersecurity Center for Excellence, State of Oregon

Birol A. Yeşilada is a professor of Political Science and the Founding Director of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Portland State University. He received his B.A. in Neurobiology in 1977 from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. in Political Science in 1979 from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science in 1984 from the University of Michigan. His research projects focus on global power transition, cybersecurity/cyber defense policy, the European Union, and the World Values Survey. His recent publications include eleven books, over 40 articles, and book chapters. He received several awards, including PSU's President’s Career Research Award, the Distinguished Scholar Award of the Political Demography and Geography Section of the International Studies Association, Fulbright, the Kemper Distinguished Teaching Fellowship of the University of Missouri, and a fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies -Social Science Research Council. In 2003, he was invited by the White House and participated in the commission that drafted Afghanistan's new constitution. He has been an invited national security policy consultant for several U.S. administrations and has been an invited subject matter expert at the World Bank, Council on Foreign Relations, Booz Allen Hamilton, Nathan Associates, and Barclays Capital.
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Nathan Wenzler

Nathan Wenzler

Field Chief Information Security Officer, Optiv

Nathan Wenzler is a field chief information security officer at Optiv, where he advises clients on how to strengthen and optimize every aspect of their cybersecurity program. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has built and led security initiatives for government agencies, nonprofits and Fortune 1000 companies.
Wenzler has served as a CISO, executive management consultant and senior analyst, holding leadership roles at Tenable, Moss Adams, AsTech and Thycotic. He also spent more than a decade in public-sector IT and security roles with Monterey County, California, and supported state and federal agencies. 
He is known for helping security leaders better communicate the measurable value and benefit of a mature, effective cybersecurity program to executives, technical stakeholders and nontechnical business partners. His approach emphasizes not only technical excellence but also the human and organizational factors that drive long-term security success. 
Wenzler has spoken at more than 400 events worldwide, educating security leaders and professionals on how to excel in their role as an organization's risk expert. He has also served on advisory boards, including the Tombolo Institute at Bellevue College, and is a former member of the Forbes Technology Council. His areas of expertise include vulnerability and exposure management, privileged access management and identity governance, cyber risk management, incident response, and executive-level communications and program management.
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Agenda

Tuesday, September 22

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Santiam 1/2/3

Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise information Services, State of Oregon

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Strengthening the Shield: Insights from the Trenches of National Security

Santiam 1/2/3

There’s no question - public-sector leaders must continue to strengthen their cyber hygiene, foster cross-sector partnerships, and adapt to the evolving threat landscape. Join Rachel Wilson, former NSA cyber operations leader, for an engaging and action-driven keynote that bridges real-world cybersecurity expertise with the challenges of emerging technologies. Drawing on her experience safeguarding critical systems, Rachel explores the heightened risks posed by AI-enabled threats like ransomware, insider attacks, and credential exploitation. This session is a call to action for everyone, from CIOs to frontline technologists, to embrace a proactive and resilient approach to protecting critical assets in the age of AI.

Rachel Wilson, Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Former NSA Senior Executive

10:15 am Pacific

Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity: What Leaders Need to Know

Santiam 1/2/3

10:45 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

11:15 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Cybersecurity, Agentic AI and the Future of Trust

Santiam 6

Agentic AI is rapidly changing how organizations automate decisions, detect threats, and increase operational efficiency, but it also introduces new cybersecurity challenges that cannot be ignored. How can technology leaders embrace AI innovation while protecting against shadow AI, foreign adversaries, and emerging operational vulnerabilities? This session will explore the critical role of governance, guardrails, and accountability in AI adoption. Attendees will gain practical insights into building trust, reducing risk, and creating secure foundations for AI-powered initiatives.

Moderator: Dr. Jimmy Godard, Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Hector Dominguez Aguirre, Privacy and Surveillance Technologies Lead, Data and Privacy Office, City of Portland

Tyler Roppe, Cybersecurity and AI Governance Officer, City of Redmond

Identity Management: Securing the Front Door

Santiam 4/5

Identity has become one of the most targeted vulnerabilities in modern IT environments, making effective management essential to cyber resilience. Are you confident that you can identify non-human identities, manage account lifecycles, and defend against phishing attacks and MFA fatigue? This discussion will examine strategies for centralized identity services and stronger access controls across the enterprise. Participants will leave with actionable best practices for reducing identity-related risk and strengthening overall security posture.

Moderator: Rick Snaric, Chief Cybersecurity Technology Director, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Ranee Bray, Chief Information Security Officer, Multnomah County

Nathan Wenzler, Field Chief Information Security Officer, Optiv

Strengthening the Supply Chain with Zero Trust Principles

Croisan Creek AB (2nd Floor)

Today's interconnected technology ecosystem requires organizations to extend cybersecurity beyond their own networks and into third-party relationships. What steps can IT leaders take to apply Zero Trust principles while managing the complex realities of vendor and partner environments? This session will address supply chain risk management, third-party security expectations, and practical approaches for improving visibility and control. Attendees will walk away with clear next steps for enhancing resilience throughout their broader digital ecosystem.

Moderator: Shawn Wagoner, Director, Cyber Security, State of Oregon

Kevin Galusha, Cybersecurity Architect, Clackamas County

12:15 pm Pacific

Lunch

Santiam 1/2/3

1:15 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes – Cybersecurity Never Sleeps

Santiam 1/2/3

Cyber threats don't keep business hours, making continuous collaboration, information sharing, and preparedness essential. In these two lightning talks, attendees will gain insight into the mission and current priorities of the MS-ISAC, along with available resources. We’ll also hear practical lessons from IT leaders on incident notification best practices, including effective communication strategies that improve response and recovery efforts.

1:45 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

2:00 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Navigating Today’s Cyber Threat Landscape

Santiam 6

Cyber threats continue to evolve in both sophistication and frequency, challenging organizations to adapt their defenses faster than ever before. What should leaders know about insider threats, ransomware trends, and the unique mitigation strategies? This panel of experts will provide a current view of the threat environment alongside guidance for navigating compliance requirements and security mandates. Key takeaways include risk-prioritized actions that help organizations better prepare for today's most pressing threats.

Moderator: Birol Yesilada, Professor and Director, Cybersecurity Center for Excellence, State of Oregon

Leslie Ann Kainoa, Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA Region 10

Aaron McDuffle, Sales Engineer, SLED, Fortinet

Incident Response Communication: From Detection to Recovery

Santiam 4/5

A successful incident response program depends on more than technology; it requires coordinated communication, clear decision-making, and organizational readiness. How can teams effectively manage internal stakeholders, develop external communication plans, and address the growing influence of cyber insurance requirements during a security event? This session will examine the critical components of incident response planning before, during, and after an attack. Attendees will learn how to improve preparedness, minimize business disruption, and support a smoother recovery process.

Moderator: Cinnamon Albin, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Servies, State of Oregon

Bobbi Doan, Communications and Initiatives Manager, State of Oregon

Ellen Flint, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of Oregon

Michael Hanna Butros Meyering, Chief Privacy and Communications Officer, Enterprise Information Servies, State of Oregon

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Croisan Creek AB (2nd Floor)

Hosted by:

Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

3:00 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

3:20 pm Pacific

General Session – From Firewalls to Zero Trust: 25 Years of Public Sector Cyber Defense and the Road to 2050

Santiam 1/2/3

A quarter-century ago, government cybersecurity was an afterthought, a simple antivirus scan on a desktop computer. Today, it is the foundational pillar of the public sector, requiring continuous monitoring of cloud-native infrastructure, AI-driven threat hunting, and unified "whole-of-state" collaboration. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) marks its 25th anniversary, join us for a high-energy retrospective on how our collective security posture has evolved alongside digital services. We will dissect the major waves of cyber transformation we’ve weathered together and lay out a strategic roadmap to secure the next generation of digital government.

Dan Lohrmann, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

4:00 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

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

4:30 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

Salem Convention Center

200 Commercial Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 589-1700

Get Directions To
Salem Convention Center

Planning Committee

Representatives

Cinnamon Albin
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Ben Gherezgiher
Chief Information Security Officer
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Jimmy Godard
Chief Technology Officer
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Shirlene Gonzalez
Legislative Director
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Hope Hiebert
Communications Director
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Rick Snaric
Chief Cybersecurity Technology Director
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Terrence Woods
Chief Information Officer
Enterprise Information Services
State of Oregon

Birol Yesilada
Professor and Director
Cybersecurity Center for Excellence and Mark O. Hatfield Cyber Defense Policy
State of Oregon

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: September 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:

Kathy Simpson
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1394
E-mail: ksimpson@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

Salem Convention Center

200 Commercial Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 589-1700

Show Hotel & Parking

Room Block

There is no room block set up for this event. There are a number of hotels nearby.

Map and Directions

https://www.salemconventioncenter.org/maps-and-directions

Event Parking

Complimentary underground parking is available for Hotel guests and Convention Center event attendees.

https://www.salemconventioncenter.org/parking-guide

Parking fees subject to change without notice.