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Event Recap · October 8, 2024

3rd Annual Tech Valley
Cybersecurity Symposium

Held October 8, 2024 at Rivers Casino in Schenectady, NY. Theme: “Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape — Strategies for Resilience and Response.” Sessions on zero trust, AI-driven threats, modern phishing, and turning incidents into actionable insights — with leaders from the FBI, CISA, and Center for Internet Security.

Rivers Casino, Schenectady, NY

October 8, 2024

Business Leaders & Federal Experts

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2024 Keynote & Speakers

Federal cybersecurity leaders & nationally recognized CISOs

From a CIS keynote on Zero Trust in the age of AI to deep dives on modern phishing, breach response, identity, and incident response tabletop exercises.

Sean Atkinson

CISO, Center for Internet Security · Keynote & Panel Moderator

Zero Trust Security and Ransomware Defense in the Age of AI. CISO of CIS, formerly Global Information Security Compliance Officer for GLOBALFOUNDRIES and lead on New York State Statewide Financial System security.

Anna Mercado Clark

Partner & CISO, Phillips Lytle

From Bait to Breach: The Modern Evolution of Phishing Attacks. Partner and CISO at Phillips Lytle LLP, leader of the firm’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity and e-Discovery Practice Teams.

Dr. Erdal Ozkaya

CISO, Xcitium

Learning from the Breach: Turning Cybersecurity Incidents into Actionable Insights. 25+ years in cybersecurity, recognized by IDC and CIO Online as a top 50 technology leader.

Chant Vartanian

CEO & Chairman, M-Theory Group

Identity Crisis in Cyberspace. Founder & CEO of M-Theory, pioneer of the CapEx-as-a-Service™ model, leader in IT and cybersecurity solutions for Fortune 500 clients.

Mike O’Mara

CIO, LogicalNet · Breakout Session

Incident Response Tabletop Exercise. A live, hands-on breakout walking attendees through a simulated security incident from first alert through containment, communication, and recovery decisions.

Panel

Federal & Industry Threat Perspective

Moderated by Sean Atkinson, CIS

Kevin Conine

Special Agent, FBI

Jon Easton

Cybersecurity Advisor, CISA / DHS

Jim Lippie

CEO, SaaS Alerts

Jim Peterson

Principal Solution Advisor, ConnectWise

Dr. C. Ariel Pinto

Chair, Cybersecurity Department, Homeland Security & Cybersecurity

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Thank You

2024 Sponsors & Partners

A heartfelt thanks to the organizations that made the 3rd Annual Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium possible.

2024 Agenda

Event schedule

8:00 – 8:45 AM

Breakfast and Networking

8:50 – 9:00 AM

Welcoming Remarks

Tush Nikollaj, CEO, LogicalNet

9:00 – 9:40 AM

Keynote: Zero Trust Security & Ransomware Defense in the Age of AI

Sean Atkinson, CISO, Center for Internet Security

9:40 – 10:20 AM

From Bait to Breach: The Modern Evolution of Phishing Attacks

Anna Mercado Clark, CISO, Phillips Lytle

10:40 – 11:20 AM

Panel Session

Moderator: Sean Atkinson. Panelists: Kevin Conine (FBI), James Lippie (SaaS Alerts), Jim Peterson (ConnectWise), Dr. C. Ariel Pinto (Homeland Security & Cybersecurity), Jon Easton (CISA / DHS).

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM

Learning from the Breach: Turning Cybersecurity Incidents into Actionable Insights

Dr. Erdal Ozkaya, CISO, Xcitium

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch

12:20 – 12:50 PM

Identity Crisis in Cyberspace

Chant Vartanian, CEO & Chairman, M-Theory Group

12:45 – 12:50 PM

Closing Remarks

1:00 – 2:00 PM

Incident Response Tabletop Exercise (Breakout Room)

Michael O’Mara, CIO, LogicalNet

1:00 – 3:00 PM

Open Networking (Main Room)

3:00 PM

Symposium Ends

Save the Date

Join us for the 2026 Symposium

Registration for the 5th Annual Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium is now open, free to attend, limited seating.

3rd Annual Tech ValleyCybersecurity Symposium