Name: Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025
Start: 2025-09-24T08:00
Location: Salem Convention Center

Overview

The Oregon 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

We are excited once again to bring our vendor and local partners together to continue to grow Oregon’s strong commitment to defend against cyber criminals who wish to do us harm. With the continued increase in cyber-attacks, it is important for our local government leaders to know how to assess the risks and have an informed workforce as our first line of defense by fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness.

– Terrence Woods, State Chief Information Officer, OR Department of Administrative Services

Speakers

Cinnamon Albin

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon 

Ms. Albin is the Deputy State Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Oregon – Enterprise Information Services, Cyber Security Service (CSS). She has over 25 years’ experience in information technology, the last 18 specializing in cyber security. Ms. Albin champions cyber security business strategy with a focus on a whole-of-government approach to cyber resiliency. She is an active member in the information security community bringing all levels of government together to collaborate on cyber security.

Todd Fitkin

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

Todd Fitkin is the Cloud Security Manager for the State of Oregon, where he leads efforts to secure the state’s cloud environments across executive branch agencies. He has built the state’s cloud security program from the ground up, designing and implementing policy-as-code guardrails to strengthen defenses and protect public-facing services.
With more than 25 years in the security industry, Todd previously led incident response for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Oracle Enterprise, and earlier at Symantec, he directed global security response and multiple security teams. His experience spans incident response, cloud security, and large-scale security program development.
Outside of cybersecurity, Todd enjoys running and hiking Oregon’s trails with his wife and their dog.

John Jones

LAN Administration, Lane Council of Governments  

John Jones has 18 years of experience in infrastructure management, information security, and team leadership. He has managed teams of system administrators, ensuring efficient systems management and security architecture. I have established and managed vulnerability assessment, remediation, and incident response teams.
He is an ISC2, SANS, ISACA member and hold various Information Technology (MCP and VCP) and Information Security (CISSP and Sec+) certifications. John has experience as an Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), Information Security Training Facility Manager, System Administrator, and IT Manager.
He has created and maintained information security incident response plans, procedures, guidelines, and runbooks. Mr. Jones has migrated legacy applications to cloud/SaaS solutions. Architected, deployed, migrated, and managed On-Premise VDI, Cloud VDI, hyperconverged and traditional virtualization clusters.  Implemented, maintained, and replaced SOC and SEIM services. John also has extensive experience with EDR/XDR platform implementation, management, and migrations.  Lastly, Mr. Jones currently serves for the Lane Council of Governments.

Leslie Kainoa

Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA, State of Oregon    

Leslie Ann Kainoa is the Cybersecurity State Coordinator for Region 10, Oregon, with CISA, where she supports critical infrastructure private sector entities across the state. With over 21 years of cybersecurity experience, she began her career in Hawaii as a helpdesk technician for the U.S. Army Reserves, later working as an Information Assurance Analyst for various military organizations.
In 2013, Leslie moved to Oregon and became a Cybersecurity Analyst providing cybersecurity expertise to a local power utility in the Operational Technology department. Later she moved to a local transit company as a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, where she helped build a cybersecurity program and supported cybersecurity for SCADA. She is passionate about cybersecurity education, outreach, and mentoring students of all ages and academic levels.
Leslie holds a Master of Science in Information Systems from Hawaii Pacific University and certifications including CISSP and GISCP.

David McMorries

Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University 

David McMorries is the Chief Information Security Officer at Oregon State University, which is also his alma mater.  After graduation from OSU, he served nearly 29 years in the United States Marine Corps as an operational communications officer.  After retirement, he worked for BoozAllenHamilton and the State of Oregon before returning to OSU in 2019.

Elliot Parks

Senior Manager, SLED West, Google Public Sector Services (GPSS)
Solution Sales Specialist, Fortinet

Elliot Parks is a cybersecurity leader with a proven track record of helping Public Sector organizations strengthen their security posture. He is passionate about translating complex cybersecurity concepts into actionable strategies that drive meaningful improvements. Elliot has experience working with state, local and higher education organizations across the US to help them safeguard their most critical infrastructure and data. Elliot holds an MBA and an MS in Business Analytics from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and McIntire School of Commerce and is also a former U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Officer. Elliot joined Google as a part of the Mandiant acquisition and currently serves as Senior Manager on the State, Local, and Higher Education (SLED) team for Google Public Sector Services. 

Rustin_Royer_headshot_8-2025 Rustin Royer

Rustin Royer is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. As Solution Sales Specialist at Fortinet, specializing in Security Operations for the Western Region, he works with government agencies and public institutions to develop integrated, strategic cybersecurity solutions that protect people, devices, and data across a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Throughout his career, Rustin has built an understanding of threat management, network security, and the role of advanced technologies in fortifying defenses. Before joining Fortinet, Rustin worked at leading organizations like Symantec (now part of Broadcom) and Secureworks, where he gained extensive experience in managing and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
At Fortinet, Rustin is helping customers leverage the company’s comprehensive suite of security solutions to address modern threats. Fortinet’s integrated platform includes AI-powered tools that enhance threat detection and response, using machine learning to proactively identify anomalies and automate defenses across the entire network. This integration of AI and machine learning is helping businesses detect and mitigate threats faster, reduce response times, and stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks

Jason Thompson

Advanced Security Engineer, Comcast Business  

Jason Thompson is a skilled Security Specialist with Comcast Business. Currently working out of the Los Angeles area, he has over a decade of experience in the cybersecurity vertical and has worked with businesses of all sizes to align security solutions with their strategic objectives. Throughout his career, Jason has held support, solution engineering and specialist’s roles at leading cybersecurity companies, including Rapid7, Varonis, Forcepoint, BlackBerry Cylance and Arctic Wolf. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Hampton University and continues to pay it forward by helping people launch their own careers in the cybersecurity industry.

Steve Towns

Vice President of Content Strategy, e.Republic

Steve Towns is vice president of content strategy for e.Republic, parent company of Government Technology and the Center for Digital Government. He is the former editor of Government Technology and has spent more than 25 years covering technology in the state and local government market.
Steve joined e.Republic in 1996. During his tenure, e.Republic’s print and electronic media have received many awards for editorial excellence, including “Magazine of the Year” from ASBPE for Emergency Management in 2013, “Best New Web Site” from ASBPE for emergencymgmt.com in 2009, ”Best Overall Publication” at the Maggie awards for Government Technology in 2008 and “Magazine of the Year” from ASBPE for Public CIO in 2007.

K S Venkatraman

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

K S Venkatraman is the Vice-Chair of the Workforce and Talent Development advisory board to the Governor of Oregon. Venkat chairs the STEM investment council and co-chairs the Technology Industry Consortium for Future Ready Oregon. As Sr. Director of AI computing at NVIDIA, his engineering teams developed GPU computing products and platforms enabling generative, reasoning, agentic, and physical AI applications.  Venkat moved to Oregon in 1997 and has since hired, mentored, and trained hundreds of STEM students in high-performance computing.  Prior to NVIDIA and a brief stint at a startup company building systems-on-a-chip for digital televisions, he was a computer architect at Intel Corporation, responsible for developing innovative technologies on Pentium®4 and subsequent processors. 
Venkat grew up in an academic family with a strong love for science and tinkering with electronic gadgets.  He is passionate about adopting technology to solve our toughest problems around climate adaptation, socratic education, energy transition, and healthcare. In 2021, Venkat co-chaired a task force for the state of Oregon, advising leaders from economic sectors on adapting to AI advances. As adjunct faculty, Venkat taught engineering courses at Portland Community College and Oregon Institute of Technology.  He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical engineering from Villanova University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication engineering from Birla Institute of Technology in India.  Venkat’s interests include Amateur Radio (callsign: K7VKT), career-connected learning, electronic and DIY projects, long bicycle rides, macroeconomics, and abundant clean energy.

Jake Wilson

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

As Cybersecurity Awareness & Training Program Coordinator at the State of Oregon, Jake develops innovative security training for employees. With over 10 years in cybersecurity, he specializes in gamified learning to drive behavioral change and reduce risk. Holding CISSP, CEH, and SSAP certifications, with a Master’s in Cybersecurity, he is dedicated to empowering secure practices in a dynamic threat landscape.

Wednesday, September 24
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Santiam Gallery
9:00 am Pacific	Opening Remarks Santiam 1 – 3 Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Oregon Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, State of Oregon
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote Santiam 1 – 3 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
10:15 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Santiam Gallery
10:45 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions AI and Security Risks: Mitigating Sophisticated Threats Santiam 6 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 Elliot Parks, Senior Manager, GPS Services, Google Public Sector 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 Santiam 4/5 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 John Jones, LAN Administration, Lane Council of Governments Plan, Prepare, Protect: Interactive Incident Response for Public Sector Resilience Croisan Creek (2nd Floor) 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 Leslie Kainoa, Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA, State of Oregon
11:45 am Pacific	Lunch Santiam 1 – 3
12:45 pm Pacific	Bits and Bytes – The New Data Paradigm: Revamping Government Data Infrastructure for the Future Santiam 1 – 3 The future of government hinges on its ability to harness, manage, and protect data effectively. In this session, presented by the Center for Digital Government, we’ll explore the shift toward a modernized data infrastructure that prioritizes security, interoperability and, scalability, and. From breaking down data silos to leveraging AI and cloud-based solutions, this presentation will highlight key strategies for future-proofing government data ecosystems. Steve Towns, Vice President of Content Strategy, Center for Digital Government
1:20 pm Pacific	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:30 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Cybersecurity Awareness: Internet and Mobile Safety Santiam 6 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 Leslie Kainoa, Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA, State of Oregon 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 Croisan Creek (2nd Floor) 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 Kevin Galusha, Cybersecurity Architect, Clackamas County Technology Services Jason Thompson, Advanced Security Engineer, Comcast Business Exclusive Executive Briefing Santiam 4/5 Ben Gherezgiher, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Oregon Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, State of Oregon
2:30 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Are Santiam Gallery
2:50 pm Pacific	General Session – Cyber Smarts Showdown: A Team Trivia Challenge Santiam 1 – 3 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.
3:30 pm Pacific	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Santiam Gallery Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:00 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

Ben Gherezgiher
CISO
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Jimmy Godard
CTO
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Shirlene Gonzalez
Legislative Director
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Kathryn Helms
Chief Data Officer
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Hope Hiebert
Communications Director
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Terrence Woods
CIO
Enterprise Information Sevices
State of Oregon

Birol Yesilada
Professor and Director
Cybersecurity Center for Excellence & Mark O. Hatfield Cyber Defense Policy
Portland State University

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: September 24, 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:

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

View Full Site

Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Cinnamon Albin

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon

Todd Fitkin

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

John Jones

LAN Administration, Lane Council of Governments

Leslie Kainoa

Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA, State of Oregon

David McMorries

Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University

Elliot Parks

Senior Manager, SLED West, Google Public Sector Services (GPSS)Solution Sales Specialist, Fortinet

Jason Thompson

Advanced Security Engineer, Comcast Business

Steve Towns

Vice President of Content Strategy, e.Republic

K S Venkatraman

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

Jake Wilson

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

Agenda

Wednesday, September 24

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Santiam 1 – 3

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote

Santiam 1 – 3

Hacking the Hackers: Strategies for Building Cyber Resilient Organizations

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

AI and Security Risks: Mitigating Sophisticated Threats

Santiam 6

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

Santiam 4/5

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

Croisan Creek (2nd Floor)

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

Santiam 1 – 3

12:45 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes – The New Data Paradigm: Revamping Government Data Infrastructure for the Future

Santiam 1 – 3

1:20 pm Pacific

Short Break

1:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Cybersecurity Awareness: Internet and Mobile Safety

Santiam 6

Strategic Collaboration: Aligning Cybersecurity Initiatives with Business Goals

Croisan Creek (2nd Floor)

Exclusive Executive Briefing

Santiam 4/5

2:30 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Are

Santiam Gallery

2:50 pm Pacific

General Session – Cyber Smarts Showdown: A Team Trivia Challenge

Santiam 1 – 3

3:30 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Santiam Gallery

4:00 pm Pacific

End of Conference

Salem Convention Center

Planning Committee

Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: September 24, 2025

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon 

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

LAN Administration, Lane Council of Governments  

Cybersecurity State Coordinator, CISA, State of Oregon    

Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University 

Senior Manager, SLED West, Google Public Sector Services (GPSS)
Solution Sales Specialist, Fortinet

Advanced Security Engineer, Comcast Business  

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

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