Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] From Liability to Asset: Securing Unstructured Data at Scale in the Era of AI

  Presented by Rubrik

Unstructured data is the lifeblood of the modern organization, yet its sheer volume often outpaces the strategies meant to protect it. As this data becomes the fuel for future AI initiatives and business intelligence, the “old way” of managing NAS has become a primary point of failure.

In this session, we’ll dive into how Rubrik NAS Cloud Direct (NCD) redefines the protection of PB-scale file systems. We will explore a modern architectural approach that provides the speed, visibility, and cloud-native flexibility required to turn massive data sets into resilient assets. Whether you are preparing for an AI-driven future or simply struggling with the growth of your current footprint, this session will provide a blueprint for total unstructured data control.

[1 CPE] The Speed of Trust: Why Your AI Strategy is Only as Fast as Your Security Architecture

  Presented by Chris Staley, SASE Specialist • Palo Alto Networks

In the race for AI dominance, many businesses are hitting the brakes because their security can’t keep up. They’re stuck in the “Fragmentation Tax”—managing 60+ tools that don’t talk to each other while trying to govern a world of prompt injections and “Shadow AI.” Chris Staley, SASE Specialist at Palo Alto, will present on how organizations need to think about these challenges. Many organizations are caught between the need to reduce tool sprawl and contending with the hidden costs of adopting incomplete platforms.

[1 CPE] The Enterprise Buyer’s Guide to AI Security Platforms

  Presented by Cato Networks

AI adoption is accelerating faster than security and governance, exposing organizations as sensitive data flows through copilots, LLM-powered apps, and agentic systems that legacy tools can’t properly protect. With a surge of AI security vendors entering the market, buying the right platform can be confusing. This presentation helps security leaders evaluate AI security solutions by clarifying the new risks AI creates, explaining the core pillars of AI security, and outlining how to compare platforms, ask the right questions, and avoid common buying mistakes.

[1 CPE] Applied AI for Business: Turning Hype into Measurable Impact

  Presented by Greg Hatch, Sr Vice President, Strategic Growth • Gage Technologies

Despite widespread AI adoption in 2025–2026, only a small percentage of organizations are realizing significant business impact. This session cuts through the hype to clarify what AI truly is, explore the rise of generative and agentic AI, and highlight where real value is emerging—particularly in customer experience (CX) and security. Drawing on recent industry research and practical experience, we examine why many initiatives stall and what differentiates successful ones.

Participants will leave with a practical roadmap for AI success: aligning initiatives to clear business outcomes, assessing readiness, managing risks, and embedding security and governance from the start. The message is simple—AI transformation is less about the technology itself and more about strategy, data, leadership, and disciplined execution.

[1 CPE] Implementing AI: A Panel Discussion on the Steps You Need to Take Now

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Your success as an IT professional has always depended on your ability to adapt. With the rapid expansion of AI capabilities, how are you evaluating and applying these tools today? What changes have you made to drive value—and where are you encountering obstacles?

Join this peer-led panel discussion to build a practical, prioritized “to-do list” of what you need to know. Our Advisory Council will share firsthand experiences implementing AI across a range of use cases while maintaining strong security controls. Panelists will outline concrete steps for developing an effective AI policy and offer guidance on engaging stakeholders to create organizational alignment. You will also explore the critical role of data governance and security in responsible AI adoption.

The discussion will address additional considerations, including collaboration with legal and HR teams, to help you prepare for enterprise-wide implementation. Bring your questions and leave with actionable insights you can apply immediately to implement AI with confidence.

Panelists:

  • Michael Bray, Chief Information Security Officer, The Vancouver Clinic
  • Brandon Gatke, AVP, Information Technology and Security, Portland Community College
  • Steve Hankel, Vice President, Information Technology, Johanson Transportation Service
  • Jaya Srinivasan, CISO, Director of Cybersecurity, M Financial Group

[1 CPE] Driving Successful AI Adoption in 2026

  Presented by Hunter Helfgott, Data & AI Consultant & Abram Erickson, Data & AI Solutions Architect • Cerium Networks

In this session, we’ll cover the critical steps organizations can take to adopt AI successfully this year, including proven strategies, common pitfalls, and practical frameworks to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation. You’ll leave with actionable guidance to align AI initiatives with business goals, build organizational buy-in, and measure ROI in a way that lasts.

AI adoption is about making AI deliver real business outcomes without creating unnecessary risk, rework, or frustration.

What We’ll Cover

  • The state of AI adoption in 2026: key trends and challenges teams are facing
  • Lessons learned in 2025: what worked, what did not, and what to do differently this year
  • A practical framework for successful AI adoption: from strategy to execution
  • Measuring success: KPIs, governance, and how to prove value over time

[1 CPE] Shadow AI: Real Consequences, Real Benefits

  Presented by CompassMSP

Whether you have sanctioned it or not, your employees are using AI at work. While AI is great for boosting productivity and automating tasks, it also brings risks, including data leaks, deepfakes, and compliance challenges. In this session, we’ll connect the dots between compliance requirements and real-world practices, showing you how to navigate AI safely, reduce risk, and still move innovation forward. Walk away with a clear view of AI’s impact and simple actions you can take to reduce risk and protect your employees and data.

[CANCELED] AI: How to Balance Innovation with Accountability

  Presented by Andreas Bohman, VP, Information Technology; CIO • University of Washington


This session will not take place as planned, and we appreciate your flexibility. Please enjoy one of our Advisor-led Roundtables.

AI is advancing faster than most governance models can keep up. Large organizations face a growing gap between innovation and control, between those who adopt responsibly and those who fall behind. Drawing on lessons from leading AI at the University of Washington, this session explores how to balance innovation with accountability by turning governance into infrastructure rather than oversight. Attendees will learn how to build trust, manage risk, and design systems that accelerate progress while maintaining transparency and control.

[1 CPE] AI Agents & Automation: How They’re Changing the Way We Work

  Presented by Hunter Helfgott, AI Solutions Consultant and Nate Purser, Account Executive • Cerium Networks

AI-powered agents are generating a lot of buzz. But what do they actually do?

In this session, you will see how organizations are starting to use AI-powered agents to solve business challenges and create new opportunities. We’ll cover advanced tools like custom GPTs, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI Foundry and see how they can be leveraged to drive AI innovation and streamline workflows. This session offers a deep dive into automation’s role in simplifying complex processes, enhancing customer experiences, and improving productivity.

[1 CPE] Cybersecurity: Emerging Threats & Defenses

  Presented by Jim Ambrosini, Director of Advisory Services • CompassMSP

In this session, cybersecurity expert Jim Ambrosini will cover critical topics, including the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, emerging defenses against these threats, and the role of senior management in enhancing cybersecurity. You will learn about recent high-profile breaches, the factors contributing to increased risks, and practical strategies for identifying vulnerabilities and responding to incidents effectively. This session will delve into the implications of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity, threats such as ransomware and deepfakes, and the importance of robust cybersecurity governance. Case studies will provide real-world insight into breach responses, highlighting effective measures and mistakes made while emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and proactive risk management.