Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Oregon

Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, State of Oregon

Keynote

Hacking the Hackers: Strategies for Building Cyber Resilient Organizations

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, organizations must stay ahead to protect their data, operations, and reputation. This session offers a glimpse into a hacker’s mindset, revealing both common and lesser-known threats. Attendees will learn practical strategies to strengthen system defenses, reduce vulnerabilities, and foster resilience. The session also explores the human side of cybersecurity, emphasizing the ways in which leaders can empower their people to play their role in upholding the organization’s cyber defense strategy.

Tarah Wheeler, Cybersecurity Expert, White Hat Hacker

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

AI and Security Risks: Mitigating Sophisticated Threats

Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments operate and deliver services, but it’s also reshaping the threat landscape. What kinds of attacks are public sector cybersecurity teams now facing in an era of AI driven threats? This session will dive into how agencies can leverage AI to reinforce security, detect emerging vulnerabilities, and implement robust governance frameworks to counter bad actors.

Moderator: Steve Towns, Vice President of Content Strategy, Center for Digital Government

Rustin Royer, Solution Sales Specialist, Fortinet

K S Venkatraman, Vice-Chair, Workforce and Talent Development Advisory Board (WTDB) to the Governor of Oregon

Strengthening Identity Management: Securing Public Sector Access in a Zero Trust Era

With cyber threats on the rise, managing digital identities is essential for protecting government systems and services. How can agencies reliably validate identities and reduce the risk of fraud in complex, interconnected environments? This panel will explore actionable strategies for public sector identity management, including zero trust architecture, identity verification protocols, and the role of data governance in building secure access frameworks.

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

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

Plan, Prepare, Protect: Interactive Incident Response for Public Sector Resilience

Cyber incidents don’t wait! Are your teams ready to respond when the clock starts ticking? This dynamic interactive panel puts public sector IT professionals in the driver’s seat, featuring real-world decision-making under pressure. Participants will hear incident scenarios that challenge escalation protocols and have an opportunity to share tips that have increased their teams’ cyber crisis readiness.

Moderator: Cinnamon Albin, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon

Les Defoor, Operations Center Manager, Security Operations Center Rep, State of Oregon

Kevin Galusha, Cybersecurity Architect, Clackamas County Technology Services

Lunch

Bits and Bytes

In these TED- style lightening talks, we’ll hear public sector and private sector use cases, success stories and lessons learned.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Cybersecurity Awareness: Internet and Mobile Safety

As government operations increasingly rely on mobile connectivity and online platforms, safeguarding digital interactions becomes more critical than ever. How can public sector teams ensure secure browsing, data protection, and mobile device hygiene across their workforce? This session will unpack practical strategies for minimizing risks in internet and mobile usage, promoting security-first habits, and empowering employees with the awareness needed to protect sensitive information and uphold public trust.

Moderator: Steve Towns, Vice President of Content Strategy, Center for Digital Government

David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University

Jake Wilson, Cybersecurity Awareness and Training, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Strategic Collaboration: Aligning Cybersecurity Initiatives with Business Goals

Effective cybersecurity isn’t just a technical pursuit, it thrives on strong collaboration between IT and business leaders. How can public sector IT teams choose the right technologies while navigating urgency, complexity, and long-term business goals? This session explores the convergence of cybersecurity strategy and public service delivery. Attendees will gain insights into cross departmental collaboration, aligning investments with business priorities, and accelerating secure innovation.

Moderator: Birol Yesilada, Director, Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Portland State University

Todd Fitkin, Cloud Security Manager, Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon

Exclusive Executive Briefing

Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Oregon

Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, State of Oregon

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session - Cyber Smarts Showdown: A Team Trivia Challenge

Think you know cybersecurity? Ready to put that knowledge to the test? Join fellow attendees for a fast-paced, team-based trivia game covering topics like cyber hygiene, threat actors, identity management, privacy, and real-world government use cases. This interactive session is a chance to collaborate, compete, and connect with peers from across the public sector. Whether you're in it to win or just want to sharpen your knowledge and meet new people, this is your moment to engage, learn, and have some fun.

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

End of Conference

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