Symposium Speakers

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Pre-Conference Session: Complexity is the Enemy: Cybersecurity & Third Party Risk Management
Speaker: Daniel Holland, Cyber Florida
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

We will examine the opportunities and challenges in managing information security risks, narrowing our focus to those risks that originate outside of our organizations. We will discuss references from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), key governance tasks, and practical ways FLGISA members can adopt best practices. Read More About Dan Holland

Session: Disaster Recovery & Cybersecurity Committees Panel Discussion
Moderator: Ken Watson, Sarasota County and Raheem Seecharan, Hollywood
Time: 4:15-5:15 pm

For those individuals who are interested in Cybersecurity and Disaster Recovery please join us from 4:15 to 5:15 on Tuesday January 30th.  A Hot Topic round table discussion will ensue with predetermined member issues of concern that affect all our jurisdictions. Raheem Seecharan, IT Director of City of Hollywood and Ken Watson, Senior Manager of Technology Operations for Sarasota County, will be co-chairing the session and look forward to strengthening our posture individually and collectively in these critical areas of concern. This is a closed session and is limited to FLGISA members only.

 Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Keynote Session: Unlocking the Human Element of Cyber Security
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Barker
Time: 8:45-10:00 am

Cyber security is so often presented and discussed in deeply technical terms. While technology is at the heart of cyber security, so is human awareness, behavior and culture. In this session, Dr Jessica Barker will highlight how human bias makes us all susceptible to online manipulation and how we can practically apply psychology, sociology, and neuroscience to understand how cyber criminals operate. We can use this understanding to help people be more engaged in cyber security and encourage people to practice more secure behaviors online. You will leave this session looking at cyber security in a different light, leaving you with an understanding of how to unlock the human element of this field. Read More About Jessica Barker

Session: Together in the Trenches Panel Session
Speakers: Gregory Hatcher, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Jeremy Rodgers, Florida [Digital Service], and Kyle Bryans, Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)
Time: 10:30-11:30 am

Dive into a critical conversation with our panel that unites key cybersecurity leaders—the State of Florida CISO, CISA's Cyber Security Advisor Regional IV, and MS-ISAC/CIS's Regional Engagement Manager for Regions 4 and 6. This session will focus on the many resources their organizations offer and how local governments can leverage these tools and services to safeguard their critical IT infrastructure. Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of the support systems available, strategies for strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, and collaborative approaches to bolster defense mechanisms against escalating cyber threats. This panel aims to fortify relationships and resources to secure the digital infrastructure of Florida's local governments. Read More About Kyle Bryans, Read More About Gregory Hatcher, and Read More About Jeremy Rodgers

Session: FLGISA Business Meeting
Moderator: President Sandra Stevens
Time: 11:45 am-12:00 pm

This is the official FLGISA business meeting during which member attendees are invited to be active participants. For items requiring a vote, only one vote per jurisdiction may be cast. If you are acting on behalf of the individual listed in our records as the representative from your jurisdiction, please stop by the registration desk and let us know. 

Session: Open Topics Roundtable
Moderator: Vice President Todd Bayley
Time: 1:00-2:15 pm

For FLGISA member attendees only. Please join us for our open topics roundtable. The roundtable will allow attendees to share ideas, lessons learned, solicit help from peers, network, and make recommendations to other member agencies. Bring your questions!

Session: State Mandated Cybersecurity Training Panel
Speakers: James Aldrich, Cyber Florida and Miguel Asencio, Florida International University and Candace Wynn, Florida [Digital Service]
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm

Join us for a panel discussion featuring representatives from CyberFlorida, Florida International University (FIU), and the Florida Digital Service (FLDS), who will delve into the nuances of state-mandated cybersecurity training as outlined in FS282.3185. This engaging forum will address the requirements for local governments to provide comprehensive cybersecurity education to their employees. Our panelists will explore the mandates, share acceptable training methodologies and resources, and discuss the implications of these regulations on enhancing the security posture of public sector organizations across Florida. Read More About Miguel AsencioRead More About James Aldrich, and Read More About Candace Wynn

Session: GovAI: Building a Secure AI Platform for Public Sector
Speaker: Jairobe McPherson, Google Cloud Public Sector
Time: 4:00-5:00 pm

Join us for this GovAI session from Google Cloud. Jairobe McPherson will discuss Large Language Models for Government Applications; Responsible AI Principles; Data Security and Privacy; and Scalable Machine Learning Adoption. Read More About Jairobe McPherson

 Thursday, February 1, 2024

Session: True Crime: Cyber Stories and Leadership Action Plans
Speaker: Dan Lohrmann, Presidio
Time: 8:30-9:30 am

There has been a dramatic increase in major cybersecurity incidents affecting large, medium and small organizations in the public and private sectors over the past few years. From ransomware to data breaches, these disruptive incidents have raised the stakes for technology and security leaders. Dan will talk about these trends, including true stories, from his book: Cyber Mayday and the Day After: A Leader's Guide to Preparing, Managing, and Recovering From Inevitable Business Disruption Topics covered will include: - Talking about Cyber emergencies, It is really alarming, it’s like there is at least one news about cyber attacks every week. What do you think are the causes for this? - Stories on how ransomware attacks have hit state and local governments and K-20 schools very hard. - What action steps can leaders take to prepare before, during and after cyber emergencies? - Dan will share compelling stories from the book and more recent events. - What were some lessons learned from those situations? Read More About Dan Lohrmann

Session: Digital Forensics : The Importance of Forensic Triage Images
Speaker: Ryan Irving, Cyber Florida
Time: 10:00-10:45 am

How long do you wait to collect digital evidence in the midst of a cyber incident? What forensic artifacts should I collect? What tools do I have to collect the data the needed? These questions and more will be answered and discussed during the presentation. With a focus on Windows based systems, we will delve into how non-digital forensic can create a triage forensic image of crucial Windows based artifacts that can be preserved. The goal of the preservation is that data can be acquired quickly and when a consultant, law enforcement, or other investigative resource is utilized the preserved data can be provided for analysis. The presentation will also cover tools you likely already own to get the job done, and if you don’t have those tools then what free options are available for your use. Time is of the essence during an incident and the longer time passes the greater the change you have of evidence degradation or losing the evidence all together. Read More About Ryan Irving

Closing Keynote Session: Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances
Keynote Speaker: Leland Melvin, Former NASA Astronaut & Former NFL Wide Receiver
Time: 10:45-12:00 pm 

 Leland looks back on his uncommon life — he was the first person in human history to catch a pass in the NFL and walk in space. Leland will examine his life through the prism of success and achievement. How did he succeed where he rightly should have failed? What motivated him to overcome injuries, setbacks, expulsions, and debilitating deafness? Leland will not only recount his path with honesty and curiosity, but he will also mine the latest thinking by researchers, authors, and academics, applying their work to his own life – and by extension giving the audience applicable takeaways. Read More About Leland Melvin