Secure Delaware 2026
Overview
Where Cybersecurity Meets Digital Leadership
Delaware’s trusted cybersecurity event is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more future-focused than ever. Secure Delaware 2026 brings together top minds from state and local government, higher education, and the tech industry for a high-energy day of real talk, bold ideas, and practical solutions. Co-hosted by the State of Delaware, this gathering explores the powerful convergence of cybersecurity and digital transformation. It’s all about building a smarter, stronger, and more secure digital future for Delaware. Join us to connect with peers, get inspired, and lead the charge.
Agenda
Tuesday, October 27 |
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8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Eastern |
Opening Remarks – Robert Osmond, Chief Information Officer, State of DelawareAashish Patel, Chief Security Officer, Department of Technology and Information |
9:10 am Eastern |
Keynote – Spy vs. AI: Defending Against Artificial Intelligence's Threats to Your Life, Loved Ones and LivelihoodHave you heard of a deep fake? Would you or your family fall for one? Dive into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence and its intricate relationship with the insider threat landscape. As AI continues to reshape industries, it simultaneously introduces new dimensions of vulnerabilities within organizations that insiders can exploit. In this engaging and insightful keynote, we’ll explore the evolving threats of AI, from deepfakes to voice cloning, and how they can impact individuals, families, and businesses. With real-world examples and case studies, we'll break down the tactics malicious actors use and, more importantly, provide practical tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from these emerging dangers. By the end, you'll not only understand the risks but walk away empowered with actionable strategies to safeguard your digital lives in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Sponsored by: Deloitte
Shawnee Delaney, CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy |
10:10 am Eastern |
General Session |
10:40 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaRefuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsor: Verizon
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11:00 am Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsCapture the Flag: A Story-Driven Security Challenge (2 Hours)All skill levels welcome — no experience required. Laptop required.
Step into an unfolding incident and take on the role of the responder working to outmaneuver a live threat, with each flag you capture advancing the story and moving you closer to resolution. Built to mirror the kind of thinking security professionals use every day, the challenge is structured so beginners and experienced practitioners can play side by side, with easier flags for newcomers and tougher ones for those looking for more of a fight, and mentors on hand throughout to help. Bring your laptop, bring your curiosity, and come see where the story takes you.
Hampi Thumati, Application Security Engineer, Department of Technology and Information, State of Delaware James Weber, SOC Analyst, Department of Technology and Information, State of Delaware CrowdStrike in Action: Faster Malware Remediation Through AutomationSecurity teams are stretched thin, and manual remediation processes only add to the strain. Every minute spent manually isolating, investigating, and cleaning up an infected endpoint is a minute analysts aren't spending on the next threat in the queue. This session explores how automation can take on the repetitive, time-sensitive work of removing malware, freeing analysts to focus on higher-value threats and strategic priorities. Rather than talking through concepts in the abstract, attendees will see a live demonstration of these workflows in action, from detection through automated remediation, offering a practical look at what's possible when manual steps are replaced with automated response. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how automation fits into a modern incident response strategy and what to consider when evaluating similar approaches for their own environments.
Himanshu Kumar, SOC Analyst, Office of the Chief Security Officer, Department of Information and Technology Combatting the Artificially Enhanced Threat ActorArtificial intelligence is reshaping the threat landscape but not always in the ways headlines suggest. In this fireside chat, experts will unpack the reality behind AI-driven capabilities like Mythos and what they truly mean for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) defenders. While AI can dramatically accelerate vulnerability discovery and compress the timeline from detection to exploitation, most weaknesses and the defenses that mitigate them remain familiar. Panelists will translate emerging risks into actionable strategy, focusing on how organizations can strengthen resilience through security fundamentals, faster decision-making, and collective defense. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where AI meaningfully changes the game and where it doesn’t, along with practical steps to stay ahead of increasingly automated adversaries without being overwhelmed by the hype.
Zero Trust, DemystifiedZero trust has become a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity strategy, but the term means different things to different organizations. This session offers a high-level, accessible introduction to zero trust: what it actually is, the core principles behind it, and why "never trust, always verify" has reshaped how agencies think about network and data security. Attendees will learn what a zero trust approach typically entails, from identity verification and least-privilege access to network segmentation and continuous monitoring, along with the common misconceptions that trip up early adopters. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of zero trust and a clearer sense of where to start.
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12:00 am Eastern |
Lunch |
12:45 pm Eastern |
General Session |
1:15 pm Eastern |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions.
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1:30 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsThe National Threat Picture: A Federal BriefingJoin federal partners for a briefing on the current national threat landscape and what it means for public-sector security postures. This session will cover the latest guidance and priorities from CISA and DHS, including emerging attack trends, critical infrastructure risks, and where federal resources and information-sharing programs can offer support. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of the threats shaping the year ahead and practical ways to strengthen coordination with federal partners.
AI Governance: Building a Framework That Keeps UpAI governance is no longer a future consideration, it's an active, fast-moving discipline, with new rules, guidance, and enforcement actions emerging on a near-weekly basis. This session offers a practical look at what strong AI governance looks like today, covering policy development, risk management, and accountability structures that hold up as the technology and its oversight continue to evolve. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for governing AI responsibly, regardless of what changes next.
Preparing for the Post-Quantum Threat: What IT Leaders Need to Know NowQuantum computing threatens to break the encryption standards that protect data today, and "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks mean adversaries may already be collecting encrypted data to unlock once quantum capability catches up. This session unpacks what post-quantum cryptography actually is, where NIST's new PQC standards stand, and what a realistic migration roadmap looks like for organizations with limited resources to spare. Attendees will leave with a framework for assessing their own cryptographic risk exposure and prioritizing systems for migration.
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2:30 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaRefuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsor: Verizon
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2:50 pm Eastern |
General Session – Why Do Security Pros and Teams Fail, and What Can You Do About It?Why do cybersecurity and technology professionals and their teams fail? Drawing on years of experience as Michigan’s former CISO and enterprise-level CIO, CTO, and CSO, Dan Lohrmann explores this question through surprising real-world stories and insights from leading award-winning government teams. While many believe the solution lies in more training, certifications, higher salaries, bigger budgets, better leadership skills, or stronger executive buy-in, Lohrmann reveals why even well-resourced teams can still fall short and what truly drives success. This keynote outlines seven ways to revitalize your role, your team, and your professional outlook, offering practical, actionable guidance along with interactive table discussions designed to help attendees personally apply the lessons learned.
Dan Lohrmann, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government |
3:40 pm Eastern |
Gift Giveaway |
4:00 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
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4:30 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.
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University of Delaware
Clayton Hall, 100 David Hollowell Drive
Newark, DE 19716
University of Delaware
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: October 27, 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.
Industries that sell or provide IT or Cyber services in the gov tech space are not permitted to attend the Cybersecurity Summit as a general attendee. Please contact Heather Earney to learn about sponsorship opportunities, which include event passes.
Contact Information
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Lindsay Anthis
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1495
E-mail: lanthis@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