Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] Balancing Innovation & Security: Montana’s Journey to Secure AI Integration

  Presented by Chris Santucci • Chief Information Security Officer, State of Montana

The State of Montana has embraced a transformative approach to artificial intelligence (AI), shifting from a traditional “no-first” security mindset to one that enables business objectives while managing risk. This keynote will explore how Montana has strategically implemented AI to enhance efficiency and innovation, all while safeguarding citizen data and ensuring business continuity.

Key highlights include:

  • Empowering Users: Recognizing that AI is an inevitable tool for workers, the state has developed frameworks to ensure its secure use while recognizing the efficiencies gained for the average user.
  • AI Governance: Establishing an AI Acceptable Use Standard, mandatory training programs to educate users on critical evaluation and responsible usage, as well as establishing an AI Governance Committee and AI Community of Practice.
  • Secure Implementation: Vetting applications, setting guardrails, and partnering with vendors who meet stringent security requirements.

This presentation will also delve into why Montana has pursued this path – encouraging innovation while providing secure tools and clear direction in an era where not all AI is created equal. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into how to enable AI adoption responsibly, foster efficiency, and lead from the front in cybersecurity.

Chris Santucci is the State Chief Information Security Officer for Montana, with over five years of service to the state, including two years as State CISO. Chris leads Montana’s enterprise security strategy with a focus on proactive risk management, business partnership, and transparency. He is passionate about empowering users to interact with technology securely, ensuring both citizen data protection and business continuity. Chris holds an MBA in IT Management and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

[1 CPE] Modern Data Center Network Automation

  Presented by Bill Wester, Sr Product Manager  • Juniper Networks

The presentation will focus on Juniper Apstra and Designing Data Centers with Intent. We will discuss the design, deployment, and operation of modern EVPN VXLAN data centers and talk about how machine learning and AI are helping to make data center operations easier for the operators. We hope that the attendees will take away a new appreciation of how modern automation can help solve the hardest data center problems with ease.

[1 CPE] How to Make AI a Reality in Your Organization

  Presented by Marni Carmichael, Vice President, Marketing • ImageSource

AI adoption is accelerating, yet many organizations struggle to transition AI projects from proof-of-concept to production. The AI Empowerment Blueprint is a structured framework that helps businesses overcome common AI adoption barriers, align AI initiatives with business goals, and implement a governance strategy that ensures ethical and effective AI deployment.

This session will guide attendees through a six-step methodology for AI success, covering key phases such as AI exploration, business value alignment, governance frameworks, and implementation best practices. Learn how to identify AI opportunities, mitigate risks, and build a scalable AI strategy that delivers real business value.

Whether you’re an executive, technologist, or entrepreneur, this presentation will equip you with actionable insights and a proven roadmap to maximize AI’s impact within your organization.

[1 CPE] Securing the Future of Cybersecurity Protection in an AI-Driven Digital Landscape

  Presented by Charles Everette, Field CISO Advisor • ESET

In today’s digital age, advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping how businesses approach cybersecurity. AI technologies offer powerful tools for detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats in real time. However, they also introduce new challenges, including adversarial attacks and ethical concerns. This presentation explores the transformative role of AI in modern cybersecurity strategies. By understanding both the opportunities and risks AI presents, organizations can better protect their digital assets and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.

[1 CPE] Cloud AI Ops: Changing the Network Management Paradigm

  Presented by Brian Matthews, Director, Sales Engineering  • Juniper Networks

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform every aspect of our lives, from agriculture to healthcare, autonomous vehicles and mobile internet. But, how is AI changing the way we design, operate, and manage networks?

In this session, we will explore the future of AI with a focus on networking applications. We will share the Mist journey to cloud AI, and how we leveraged machine learning and deep learning to create a cloud AIOp solution that simplifies and automates network operations, improves user experience, and reduces costs. We will also discuss the fundamental elements of a networking cloud AIOp solution, such as data collection, processing, analysis, and action. Finally, we will examine the impact of AI on networking IT and the broader economy, and how AI can create new opportunities and challenges for network professionals.

Join us for this exciting and informative keynote and learn how AI can help you take your network to the next level.

[1 CPE] Heart of Agile with Aloha: Driving IT Innovation

  Presented by Bradley K. Foster, PMP, CSM, CPO, CAC, CAL • Worth Agility

Join Bradley K. Foster, founder of Worth Agility, to explore how Alistair Cockburn’s Heart of Agile—Collaborate, Probe, Deliver, Reflect, Improve—blends with Aloha’s compassion to ignite IT innovation. With 5+ years in health and aviation IT, Bradley led Hawaiian Airlines’ EDW (Microsoft-driven, real-time insights), Health Catalyst’s cloud analytics at Queens (30% efficiency gain), and Hawaii DOT’s Google CCAI demo (40% faster calls).

Learn to probe risks early, collaborate across silos, and deliver secure systems under Worth Agility’s human-centered approach, guided by DevSecOps insights from Isaac Sacolick.

Ideal for IT leaders tackling ransomware, AI, and bandwidth challenges with agility and heart.

[1 CPE] AI or Die: Will Agentic AI and Hyperautomation Save the SOC?

  Presented by Aaron Edwards, Regional Sales Manager, and Rich Chen, Sales Engineer • Torq

The promise of SOAR has repeatedly failed. Organizations have invested heavily in enterprise solutions yet the ability to deliver automated, preventative, and corrective measures still remains a distant reality for most CISOs. Why? The concept of an Autonomous SOC is everywhere – promising to streamline security operations processes, reduce analyst alert fatigue, and improve overall security posture. But how does the dream of an Autonomous SOC play out in the real world of security operations? Is 2025 the year that Agentic AI where Hyperautomation saves the SOC?

[1 CPE] LIVE Hack: Unmasking AI’s Dark Side

  Presented by Wayne Johnson, CEO • Stellar

In this eye-opening presentation, we will delve into the darker applications of artificial intelligence, specifically focusing on its potential to craft malicious code and generate deceptive voice replicas. As AI continues to evolve, its capabilities extend beyond beneficial innovations, posing significant ethical and security challenges. This session aims to shed light on how AI can be manipulated to perform nefarious tasks, such as writing harmful software or impersonating voices with high accuracy. Through live demonstrations and critical discussions, we aim to equip the audience with a comprehensive understanding of these risks and foster a dialogue on developing robust countermeasures and ethical guidelines to prevent misuse of AI technologies. Join us as we explore the shadowy corners of AI applications, understanding their implications and preparing for a secure technological future.

[1 CPE] Securing the Hyperconnected World in the AI Era

  Presented by Grant Asplund, Security Evangelist • Check Point

The AI revolution is fundamentally transforming cybersecurity, while the future of networking evolves toward Hybrid Full Mesh—integrating 5G, WiFi, Ethernet, Fiber, and other network infrastructures. This presentation examines how AI is accelerating cyber threats: attack costs are skyrocketing, incidents surging 50% year-over-year, and ransomware development compressed from nine days to mere minutes*. We’ll explore why Hybrid SASE (not cloud-only) forms the core of an effective hybrid full-mesh security architecture and how organizations can respond when the rate of change and complexity outpace their capabilities. Most importantly, we’ll demonstrate why security isn’t just a feature but the essential foundation of operations in this new era of hyperconnected vulnerability.

*Source: 2025 Check Point Research, CyberInt, Cybercrime Magazine, IBM, SAN