Southern California Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit 2026
Overview
Southern California 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!
Agenda
Thursday, November 12 |
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8:00 am Pacific |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Pacific |
Opening RemarksRob Centeno, Deputy Director, Technology and Innovation, City of Long Beach |
9:15 am Pacific |
Keynote - Inside the Hacker's Playbook: Learning from Attackers to Optimize DefensesHackers and bad actors have become more sophisticated than ever. Understanding how they operate and approach the attack vector is crucial to understanding the complexities of a potential cyber-attack. In this session, ethical Hacker Mishall Khan will walk us through a cyber battle - exploring each layer of an attack from the perspective of both the attacker and defender. Join us as we discuss best practices to enhance our security posture while providing actionable insights to fortify your defenses.
Mishaal Khan, Hacker, Author and Speaker |
10:15 am Pacific |
Networking Break in Exhibit Area |
10:45 am Pacific |
Concurrent SessionsSecuring the Global Stage: Preparing Southern California for Major EventsSouthern California is entering a period of unprecedented global attention, with major sporting and public events placing new demands on government technology, public safety, transportation, communications, and other critical services. How are agencies preparing for the increased cyber risk, operational pressure, and coordination these events bring? This discussion will examine regional readiness, information sharing, incident response, and the lessons agencies can carry from one major event to the next as the region prepares for LA28.
Beyond the Policy: Making Cyber Insurance Part of Your DefenseCyber insurance can offer far more than financial protection after an incident. Many carriers and brokers provide pre-breach resources such as tabletop exercises, incident response planning, training, and access to specialized expertise that can strengthen an organization’s readiness before a claim is ever filed. This session will explore how public agencies can better use those resources, understand what support is available, and know when and how to engage their insurance partners before, during, and after a cyber incident.
Data Governance as Cyber DefenseEffective cybersecurity starts with understanding the data an organization holds, where it lives, who can access it, and whether it still needs to be retained. Strong data governance can reduce risk by improving classification, access, retention, and secure disposal while limiting the amount of sensitive information exposed during an incident. This session will explore how public agencies can use data lifecycle management as part of their cyber defense strategy and strengthen coordination across cybersecurity, privacy, and data teams.
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11:45 am Pacific |
Lunch |
12:45 pm Pacific |
Bits and Bytes |
1:05 pm Pacific |
Short Break |
1:25 pm Pacific |
Concurrent SessionsAI Policy and Governance 2.0: Securing What Comes NextMany public agencies created their first AI policies several years ago, but the technology has already moved beyond the assumptions those policies were built around. Agentic AI, embedded vendor capabilities, and increasingly autonomous systems are creating new questions around access, oversight, security, and accountability. This session examines what agencies are learning from the first generation of AI governance and what needs to change as they build the next one.
Cybersecurity Is a Team SportCyber risk does not belong to the cybersecurity team alone. Legal, privacy, communications, emergency management, executive leadership, operations, and other business functions can all shape how effectively an agency prepares for and responds to an incident. This session will examine who needs to be involved, when they should enter the conversation, and how public agencies can establish clearer roles, relationships, and response expectations before a cyber event puts them to the test.
The Supply Chain Security GapPublic agencies increasingly rely on vendors, cloud platforms, contractors, and other outside providers to deliver critical technology and services, but responsibility for the security of those systems ultimately remains with the agency. This session will examine where gaps can emerge across the supply chain, from due diligence and contract requirements to ongoing monitoring, access to logs and telemetry, incident notification, and shared response responsibilities. Panelists will discuss how agencies can better understand who owns what, where visibility may be limited, and how to close those gaps before a vendor compromise or service disruption puts them to the test.
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2:25 pm Pacific |
Networking Break in Exhibit Area |
2:50 pm Pacific |
Closing Session- Cyber Tabletop ExerciseCyber incidents rarely unfold in a straight line, and the decisions made in the first few minutes can quickly affect operations, communications, leadership, and public services. In this interactive closing session, attendees will work through a realistic cyber scenario as new information and challenges are introduced along the way. Guided by experienced public-sector cybersecurity and emergency response partners, participants will consider how their organizations would respond, who needs to be involved, where coordination can break down, and what they can do now to strengthen readiness before a real incident occurs.
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3:50 pm Pacific |
Networking Reception |
4:20 pm Pacific |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change
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Hilton Long Beach
701 W. Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90831
(562)983-3400
Hilton Long Beach
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: November 12, 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:
Isabel McKee
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-0722
E-mail: imckee@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