Topic: Strategic Management

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] Securing Our Mission: A Non-Profit’s Journey to Zero Trust

  Presented by Troy Villar, Director, Information Technology, Child & Family Service • The Advisory Council

This presentation offers a non-technical, firsthand account of a nonprofit’s journey to a Zero Trust security model on a limited budget. It covers core Zero Trust principles and how they were applied in practice, while addressing key challenges such as HIPAA compliance, budget constraints, and COVID-19 disruptions. The 2020–2026 roadmap highlights major milestones, including achieving a fully cloud-based environment, network redesign and segmentation, and the implementation of NAC and Unified Access Control. It also shares lessons learned, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, effective communication, and maintaining team well-being throughout the transformation.

Troy Villar has served as Director of IT at Child & Family Service since 2020, supporting Hawaii’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families. A CISSP with over 30 years of experience, he has led software development, hardware design, and enterprise network implementations, including the design and development of a full-scale POS system for a major Hawaii retail chain. He is Vice President of ISC2 Hawaii and leads the Cybergenerations program, advancing cybersecurity education and awareness. Troy holds a degree in Information Systems from Hawaii Pacific University, where he previously served as Associate Director of Data Services, and is currently completing his Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at WGU. Outside of work, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and spending time with his family and their dogs.

[1 CPE] The New Media Stack: How AI is Rewriting Cybersecurity Journalism

  Presented by Karissa Breen • Founder & Head of Cybersecurity Journalism, KBI.Media
 Keynote presentation brought to you by Business Improvement Group

The way cybersecurity professionals consume information is undergoing a fundamental shift. For years, the industry relied on a traditional media pipeline, like vendor announcements, PR outreach, journalist coverage, and static articles. But the rise of large language models and AI-powered discovery tools is dismantling that model.

Instead of searching for articles or relying on outdated reports, professionals ask AI systems to synthesize information, explain threats and summarize events. In this new environment, AI effectively becomes the front page of the internet, determining which voices, sources and insights are surfaced.

In this keynote, Karissa Breen (KB) examines how AI is reshaping cybersecurity journalism, the rise of “reference media” that LLMs trust and cite and why credibility and original reporting matter more than ever in the algorithmically mediated game. Drawing on her experience building a modern cybersecurity media platform, Breen will explore what the next generation of cyber media looks like and how organizations can adapt to a future where AI curates the conversation and this means for staying on top of cyber content and the retention of the knowledge.

Karissa Breen, more commonly known as KB, is crowned a LinkedIn ‘Top Voice in Technology’ and widely recognized across the global cybersecurity industry. A serial entrepreneur, she is the co-founder of the TMFE Group, a portfolio of cybersecurity-focused businesses spanning an industry-leading media platform, a specialist marketing agency, a content production studio, and the executive headhunting firm, MercSec. Now based in the United States, KB oversees US editorial operations and leads the expansion of the group’s media footprint across North America, while maintaining a strong presence in Australia, and the broader global market. She is the former Producer and Host of the streaming show 2Fa.tv, and currently sits at the helm of journalism for the group’s flagship arm, KBI.Media, the independent cybersecurity media company. As a cybersecurity investigative journalist, KB hosts her globally-renowned podcast, KBKast, where she interviews leading cybersecurity practitioners, CISOs, government officials including heads-of-state, and industry pioneers from around the world. The podcast has been downloaded in over 65 countries with more than 400,000 global downloads, influencing billions of dollars in cybersecurity budgets. KB is known for asking the hard questions and extracting real, commercially relevant insights. Her approach provides an uncolored, strategic lens on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, demystifying complex security issues and translating them into practical intelligence for executives navigating risk, regulation, and rapid technological change.

[1 CPE] Leading Through Crisis: IT Lessons from Alaska’s Emergency Response

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

In October 2025, Typhoon Halong caused widespread disruption across Western Alaska, testing the resilience of infrastructure, communications, and response teams. The event offered a powerful case study in organizational resilience. While many had disaster recovery plans in place, the ability to execute under pressure—while maintaining clear, reliable communication—proved to be the defining factor.

IT teams were at the center of response efforts, from restoring systems to enabling critical lines of communication for employees, partners, and communities. The experience revealed that resilience isn’t just technical—it’s operational.

In this interactive panel, regional leaders share hard-earned lessons from the field. Discover how to strengthen your response plans, run effective drills, and ensure your organization is ready when it matters most. Audience Q&A will provide an opportunity to explore challenges specific to your environment.

Panelists:

  • Paul Fussey, Operations Manager, Alaska Land Mobile Radio
  • Aaron Mute, Director, Information Technology, Association of Village Council Presidents
  • Brian Noonan, Systems Engineer, Alaska Railroad Corp.
  • Dave Reilly, Planning Program Manager, AK Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

[1 CPE] Three Wins to Chase, Three Disasters to Dodge

  Presented by Amy McLaughlin • Chief Information Officer, University of Wyoming

Amy McLaughlin cuts through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence and focuses on what leaders should actually be doing today. Drawing on real-world experience, she will walk through three high-impact ways AI is already delivering value and three common missteps that are creating unnecessary risk, wasted effort, and loss of trust. Rather than chasing tools or trends, Amy will talk about how to make better decisions: where to lean in, where to slow down, and how to approach AI as a leadership and governance challenge, not just a technology one.

Amy McLaughlin is the Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Wyoming, the state’s flagship and only public university, where she leads the technology organization responsible for enabling teaching, learning, research, and statewide outreach.

A nationally recognized technology and cybersecurity leader with more than two decades of experience, Amy is known for driving practical innovation, modernizing complex environments, and building high-performing teams across higher education and government. Her career spans leadership roles in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and network services, including senior positions at Oregon State University and the State of Oregon, where she led large-scale transformation efforts, strengthened infrastructure resilience, and advanced security programs. Amy brings a strategic, people-centered approach to technology leadership, grounded in deep operational experience and a strong commitment to mission-driven outcomes.

[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, AVP Cybersecurity, CISO, M Financial Group

[1 CPE] SCARE to CARES: Delivering Digital Transformation without Chaos

  Presented by Saby Waraich • Chief Information Officer, Clackamas Community College

In the dynamic world of organizational leadership, the ability to navigate and lead through complex transformations is critical. Saby Waraich, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in technology and change management, offers an insightful session designed to empower leaders to evolve from a mindset of fear and control (“SCARE”) to one grounded in empathy, trust, and collaboration (“CARES”).

This session delves into the essential qualities and strategies required to lead successful transformations in today’s fast-paced and often unpredictable environment. Participants will explore how leaders can shift their approach from being overly cautious and risk-averse to fostering a culture of care, where team members feel supported, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he’s a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.

A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don’t just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who’s living it.

[1 CPE] 2026 Cyber Crime Trends and Improving Security with Operation Winter Shield

  Presented by FBI Portland Cyber Task Force

Hijacked networks, cryptocurrency heists, and corporate espionage are but a few examples of the spiraling cyber threat. Every year, our adversaries become savvier and increasingly callous – attacking power grids, shutting down hospitals, and stoking geopolitical tensions. State-sponsored cyber actors wield every element of their national power to target the United States and its critical infrastructure. Skilled cybercriminals exploit new and longstanding vulnerabilities to steal our money and hold our data for ransom.

Combating these threats is the primary mission of the FBI’s cyber program. As the lead federal agency for investigating cyberattacks and intrusions, we engage with victims and work to unmask those committing malicious cyber activities, wherever they are.

Join us for a session from an FBI Special Agent to learn how you can improve your security approach.

[1 CPE] Go Hack Yourself: War Stories from over 170,000 Pentests

  Presented by Tony Taylor, Sr Solutions Architect • Horizon3.ai

Join Tony Taylor, Senior Solutions Architect, for an engaging session on “Offense-Driven Defense.” Raakish will challenge conventional risk assessment practices and unveil how focusing on real-world exploitability and impact can revolutionize your security approach. Drawing from insights gathered across more than 170,000 autonomous pentests, he’ll share compelling stories and actionable lessons that show how viewing your cyber terrain through an attacker’s lens can uncover hidden vulnerabilities, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen your defenses against advanced threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading industry practitioner on why it’s time to “go hack yourself” and build resilience in today’s borderless threat environment.

[1 CPE] Insider Session: From Retired to Replaced – Preparing for Microsoft’s Wave of Changes

  Presented by iT1 Source

In this insider session, we’ll break down Microsoft’s biggest licensing and product changes so you can prepare, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary costs. From shifting discounts to looming end-of-support deadlines, we’ll cover what every business needs to know.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Microsoft’s recent announcement will impact EA & MPSA pricing.
  • Practical steps for moving from EA to CSP with confidence.
  • Are you still running outdated technology that reached Microsoft’s end of support in October?

[1 CPE] Beyond Cybersecurity: Assembling Resiliency for the Inevitable Breach

  Presented by BJ Deonarain, Global Alliance Cybersecurity Solutions Director • Hitachi Vantara

The Imperative for Resiliency, 100% cyber security is unachievable; breaches are inevitable, where modern threats demand a shift from reactive defense to proactive resilience. Resilience requires mindset and culture change, not just new technology, while focus can sustain operations and limit damage when security fails.

Assembling the resiliency strategic pillars and actions:

  • Risk Assessment: continuous evaluation of assets and vulnerabilities
  • Incident Response: develop, test, and update comprehensive crisis plans
  • Employee Training: ongoing education to make staff the first line of defense
  • Systems Testing: regular audits, penetration tests, and vulnerability scans
  • Partnerships: collaborate with industry experts for knowledge sharing
  • Culture: embed resiliency throughout the organization at every level

BJ Deonarain is a globally focused cybersecurity executive responsible for driving cyber security and cyber resiliency strategy at Hitachi Vantara. With a career spanning technical innovation, client solutions, and cross-functional leadership, BJ combines deep technical expertise with a client-centric approach to mitigate risk and elevate organizational security postures.