Florida Technology Summit Agenda

Rich Evans is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS). As the CIO, Rich serves as the department's principal IT officer and provides leadership and guidance in critical areas of technology administration for the department, including budgeting, resource development and allocation, policy formation and managing business operations to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and IT operational effectiveness. He served as the Deputy CIO of DMS prior to being appointed CIO. Alongside his responsibilities at DMS, Rich serves as an adjunct professor and faculty team lead in the MBA program at Southern New Hampshire University, where he teaches various MBA courses and leads a team of graduate professors.

Synopsis

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Matt is Global Strategist for Telecom, Media at Splunk. Matt’s passion is the application of data analytics to drive value in the Communications and Media domains. With more than two decades of experience leveraging data analytics, Matt has served in various capacities, developing and supporting a wide variety of network-delivered services. Matt holds an MS in computer science from George Mason University and a BS from UC Berkeley. He currently resides with his family, on Bainbridge island, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where he takes every opportunity to get on the water, or up a mountain, or, via SeaTac, to various points around the globe.

Speaker's Bio

Bri is a well respected healthcare industry strategic advisor specializing in clinical informatics. She brings 23+ years of industry experience guiding healthcare systems through the digitization era, bridging the gap between clinicians and technology to ensure maximum effectiveness of clinical systems and workflows in a dynamic and complex industry. Prior to joining Splunk, Bri gained industry knowledge and experience across major provider systems as a former clinician, clinical software engineer and EHR implementation specialist, and security SIEM/SOC and perimeter governance manager. She is dedicated to promoting the collection, analysis and synthesis of data in the clinical space to achieve the greatest positive impact on clinical practice delivery with security in mind.

Synopsis

Today’s organizations are under constant pressure from cyber threats, outages and more. Economic and political uncertainty create even less room for error. At the same time, customers continue to expect seamless, always-on experiences. In the face of these disruptions, organizations are tasked with keeping their systems secure and reliable. But building digital resilience brings major challenges; increasing complexity through modern technology stacks, siloed teams and tools and an ever evolving threat landscape.
Learn how Splunk helps organizations across all industries to innovate and adapt quickly while maintaining security, reliability and compliance requirements.

Bruce Johnson has worked in the IT industry for over 30 years with IBM, Cisco Systems and now Cradlepoint. He is a security CISSP and has been working in security for over 20 years. He loves speaking about relevant cybersecurity solutions and how they can address business issues. He has delivered presentations at security events around the world. In his current role, he focuses on 5G networking and security solutions for Cradlepoint. Bruce has a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Statistics from Brigham Young University. He lives in the foothills of northern Utah and enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and woodworking.

Synopsis

Imagine a world without wires, almost. Remote branches, kiosks, IoT devices, and even vehicles, all seamlessly connected and protected. Discover how wireless WANs can revolutionize your business. We'll show you how we helped Sally's Tiki Terrace, a rapidly expanding restaurant chain, harness the power of wireless connectivity and security. You'll learn how to:
· Unlock new business opportunities with wireless WANs
· Securely connect your entire network with zero trust
· Protect your business from cyber threats
· Optimize network performance and reliability
Join us to see how wireless WANs can transform your business.

Michael Bacon is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 30 years of experience in various technical, product, and marketing leadership roles in several well-known companies. In his current role as Product Marketing Director at Forescout Technologies, he oversees strategic planning and execution of solutions marketing, leveraging his extensive knowledge in cybersecurity solutions and services such as MDR, EDR, NDR, XDR, SIEM, SOAR, and more. His strong communication skills and business experience enable him to engage effectively with a diverse range of audiences, from technical to C-level executives. Throughout his career, Bacon has made impactful contributions such as launching new cybersecurity products and services, driving revenue growth, and enhancing customer satisfaction through innovative solutions. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bacon holds an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. His career is marked by a consistent commitment to advancing cybersecurity solutions and strategies.

Synopsis

Specialized threats targeting OT environments have been around since at least 2010, with the reports of Stuxnet. Recognizing the criticality of these devices, Threat Actors have continued evolving, continuing to target OT devices, many of which are inherently insecure-by-design. Research, such as Vedere Labs’ OT:ICEFALL research project and Project Basecamp by Digital Bond from 10 years ago showed how significant the scope of vulnerable devices are that are pervasive in critical infrastructure systems. Today’s SOC needs to not only see those devices and the risks they pose while also ensuring accurate detection of the threats uniquely targeting those OT environments they’re deployed in. This session will explore this unique threat landscape and the capabilities required to combat the threats and automatically mitigate the risks specially targeting Operational Technology environments.

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Synopsis

This roundtable is for attendees for executives with VIP badges ONLY. This session is intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

Michael Ferguson is the Global Director for Security Transformation at Netskope. He is a highly customer-focused security professional, having worked in the cyber security industry for over 15 years across the Asia Pacific Region. Michael has been CISSP certified for over 7 years, speaking at various industry events (e.g. Gartner, AusCert, and AISA) on Data Loss Prevention, Zero Trust and Cloud Security Initiatives. Michael has extensive web, data and cloud security experience, specializing in running DLP, Zero Trust and Insider Threat programs.

Synopsis

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth and innovation. However, integrating AI into existing systems while maintaining optimal security poses significant challenges. This talk will explore the concept of Security Service Edge (SSE) and its role in safely enabling the use of AI to accelerate business growth without compromising performance or security. We will discuss how SSE acts as a critical security layer at the edge of the network, providing advanced threat protection, data privacy, and secure access controls. Join us to discover practical strategies for leveraging AI while ensuring robust security measures, enabling organizations to harness the power of AI to drive business success.

Paul is the Principal Security Evangelist at Imperva, a Thales Company and a provider of Application, API, and Data Security solutions. With more than 25 years in cyber security, Paul is regularly speaking at conferences around the world discussing security strategies, market trends, and sharing stories from the field. Paul has met with customers in over 65 countries to help them understand best practices and how to effectively manage application security, data security and the obligations that accompany the associated compliance requirements. Paul, in his nearly 20 years with Imperva, has held a variety of roles both on the Product side as well as the Sales side of the business. He has managed teams in the US, as well as Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Imperva, Paul worked in a variety of technical roles at Check Point Software Technology Ltd., including security engineering and, partner and end-user instruction. Paul is a frequent speaker at key IT security events such as RSA, AusCert, OWASP, AISA. He has also trained professional security related certifications and lectured on IT security subjects at established schools and university around the world.

Synopsis

Achieving PCI compliance is crucial for organizations handling payment card information, yet the process can be complex and challenging. This presentation explores the concept that a robust security framework is the foundation for achieving compliance, rather than compliance driving security measures. We will examine how prioritizing security best practices not only mitigates risks but also naturally aligns with regulatory and industry standards. Focusing on three core areas—Identity, Data security, and Application protection—offers the most efficient path to PCI compliance. By concentrating on these key areas, organizations can not only streamline their compliance efforts but also enhance their overall security posture. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how to integrate these focus areas into their PCI compliance strategy to achieve both efficiency and effectiveness.

Tom started his Scale Computing journey in 2014 as a Tier 1 Support Engineer. He spent 3.5 years in Support and earned several promotions until the Sales team recruited him. He spent time as the dedicated Channel SE, traveling all over North America, evangelizing the Scale Computing brand. When he wasn't doing that, he was onboarding and training new partners and even led the Technical Training curriculum for Scale Computing partners. In February of 2020, Tom was promoted to the field and given the territory of the US Southeast, where he and his team have been extending and growing the region.

Speaker's Bio

Daniel is a seasoned IT professional with over 25 years of experience leading successful technology initiatives across diverse industries. As a Founding Member and Visionary of AmeriTech Pro, he assembled a team of experts dedicated to delivering exceptional IT solutions. With a proven record in modernizing, consolidating, and securing complex IT infrastructures, Daniel has held leadership roles in healthcare, retail banking, general aviation, and higher education, where he last served as Acting CIO/Vice President of IT. Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology and a master’s in business administration from Florida State University. Additionally, he has attained numerous IT certifications, reflecting his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. Daniel's approach is centered on aligning technology solutions with measurable business outcomes, ensuring that IT investments deliver tangible value.

Synopsis

Discover why more organizations are making the smart shift from VMware to Scale Computing Platform. We’ll explore the key drivers behind this transition, including the need for simplified management, improved scalability, reliable support, and cost efficiency. Learn how Scale Computing’s SC//Platform offers a seamless upgrade path, providing robust performance and streamlined operations tailored to modern IT demands. With AmeriTech Pro’s expert guidance and personalized, end-to-end IT solutions, you’ll gain the confidence to transition smoothly and effectively. Whether you’re planning your next infrastructure upgrade or exploring alternatives to VMware, this session will equip you with the insights needed to make a smart, strategic move.

Mark Benson is a tenured system engineering manager with over twelve years of running large national programs including healthcare at NetApp, Federal Sales at EMC and currently state, local and education at Nutanix. Prior to his sales career Mark was on the customer side for fifteen years at locations such as Florida State University, Florida Dept. of Health and John Deere.

Throughout both phases of Marks career successful project outcome has always been a driving factor. With wide knowledge across the data center stack as well as cloud services, Mark continues to drive innovation into the world of IT through the balance of successful technologies and efficient usage of funds.

Synopsis

Today’s hybrid and multi cloud infrastructures heavily utilize virtualization, software-defined infrastructure and automation. This has provided IT teams with more efficiency and agility but has also compounded security risks. These security threats are more acute for State, local, and education agencies as they carry confidential citizen, student and state information. The agencies and institutions face the constant threat of ransomware and other destructive forms of cyberattacks. Do you have the right infrastructure and processes to improve your security posture across the kill-chain?

Mark is an experienced software and SaaS product and marketing leader who has driven revenue growth at several technology companies, including Trinet, Liongard and ConnectWise. His focus is evangelizing, positioning and creating awareness for CyberFOX. He is known as a creative, pragmatic leader who can find great talent and then develop them into high-performing teams.

Synopsis

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, protecting organizations from daily cyber threats is becoming increasingly difficult. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report, over 90% of successful Windows breaches occur due to users having privileged access. To avoid being included in this year's report, it's important to take a major step in cybersecurity planning by removing local Admin rights from end-users. However, this can be challenging as it may result in end-users becoming frustrated when they need to request updates. CyberFOX Senior Sales Engineer, Bill Morgan, provides a solution called "The Best of Both Worlds", which aims to increase security while reducing end-user frustration. Learn more about this solution and how it can help you protect your organization from cyber threats.

Craig Stevenson is a cybersecurity expert with over 12 years of industry experience. Craig brings a wealth of knowledge, from teaching Cyber Operations at the John Hopkins Graduate School for Intelligence to his role as Head of the Cyber Exploitation Unit at Raytheon Technologies, where he was responsible for building and teaching custom offensive cybersecurity classes for government agencies and allies overseas. Craig is a Certified Ethical Hacker and also holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from Kent University. He is the founder and former CEO of HyperQube Technologies until its acquisition by global cybersecurity provider, ThreatLocker, where he now serves as the Director of ThreatLocker Ops.

Synopsis

Join ThreatLocker Product Manager Craig Stevenson for a live hacking demonstration to learn about the tools and techniques you need to protect yourself against cyberattacks.

Jeffrey Wheat is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in protecting organizations from sophisticated threats. As CTO at Lumu Technologies, Jeff specializes in strategically implementing continuous compromise assessment, providing deep insights into network vulnerabilities, and enhancing incident response. He is dedicated to educating businesses on the latest cyber threat trends and effective defense mechanisms.

Synopsis

In this session, we’ll examine the most common techniques used by adversaries against businesses across America, and how to defend accordingly. Learn how infostealer malware serves as a prime initial vector for ransomware attacks while also fueling the credential marketplace.

For over 40 years David has always been on the forefront of innovative technology. His deep experience encompasses Software Development, IT Consulting, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Software-defined networking, Business Continuity Planning, VoIP, and Sales Leadership. His passion in the industry has allowed him to witness and experience the digital transformation of technology and delivery of services in this emerging market.

Synopsis

IThe principles laid out by Sun Tzu in his Art of War have transcended time and directly apply to the realm of cybersecurity. Join us with your fellow IT professionals as we explore Sun Tzu's teachings and their impact on today's digital battleground. In an era where digital threats loom large, cybersecurity compliance has emerged as a modern-day battlefield for organizations. As we delve into our discussion, we’ll explore how companies grapple with the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risks. Prepare to be inspired and enlightened by the wisdom of a military strategist and its contemporary applications in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.

Andrew Moore has a history of building great operational systems. He has worked in the IT arena for over 17 years and has been instrumental in the successful building of several businesses into multi-million dollar companies.

Synopsis

Businesses need to be aware of the changing threat to their organizations posed by cyber security criminals. This presentation walks business executives through the current issues facing companies, approaches on how to solve these issues and real world tactics employers can utilize for a safer network.

Sam Parker serves as a Senior Manager of Sales Engineering at OneTrust, the Trust Intelligence Platform, unlocking every company’s value and potential to thrive by doing what’s good for people and the planet. OneTrust connects privacy, GRC, ethics, and ESG teams, data, and processes, so all companies can collaborate seamlessly and put trust at the center of their operations and culture. In his role, Sam supports the Trust Intelligence Platform where he leads a team of Sales Engineers to architect solutions across OneTrust’s four cloud offerings. Sam has 8 years of experience in Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Privacy and Third-Party Supply Chain, and earned a Master of Business Administration at Auburn University. He holds 6 professional certifications from the IAPP, ISACA and OCEG.

Synopsis

As AI integration becomes more prevalent, understanding the ethical dimensions of data handling is critical. This session will explore key strategies for managing data responsibly, from collection to disposal, ensuring compliance, transparency, and societal benefit. Our expert speaker will offer insights into aligning AI initiatives with ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks, empowering CIOs and IT professionals to drive innovation while upholding data privacy and integrity.

More Info Coming Soon

Synopsis

This roundtable is for attendees for executives with VIP badges ONLY. This session is intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

John Capello plays an instrumental role directing Nasuni’s product strategy and can often be found working with customers and technology partners to understand their requirements and identify new use cases for Nasuni’s global file system. Before joining Nasuni, John was Vice President of Product at fast growing startups Abuzz (acquired by The New York Times) and Tabblo (acquired by Hewlett-Packard). He also served as a general manager for The New York Times Digital and as a consultant for McKinsey and Company.

Synopsis

Join Nasuni for an engaging discussion as we dive into modernizing your organizations IT infrastructure and hybrid cloud strategy. This intimate gathering promises an enriching exchange of ideas and insights, providing a platform for you to discuss challenges, explore opportunities, and share innovative concepts related to Nasuni. You’ll hear from John Capello, Nasuni’s Field CTO, about the tactics our customers are taking to implement a hybrid cloud strategy.

Leonard A. Lans is an accomplished Sales Leader with over 14 years of experience selling SaaS, professional services, mobility, end-to-end communications, network services & security solutions across a multitude of industries in the Mid-Market space. He plays a critical role in leading a team of professionals responsible for a $20+ million-dollar customer portfolio. His team delivers game-changing solutions to enhance the agility, productivity and global reach of businesses. Using his entrepreneurial mindset, expertise in Consultative Sales and Sales Leadership he's assisted many organizations transform the way their communities live, work and play.

Synopsis

Join us for a conversation about business trends in Tampa and how Verizon is impacting local businesses through their network, products, and community engagement.

Jessica Lynn has held various roles in the cybersecurity industry for the past 9 years. Moving from distribution to channel development to enterprise sales – she has a pulse on the threat landscape that businesses face today in the age of digital. She thrives on helping partners and businesses solve their biggest problems. Today Jessi is Director of Partner Sales with UK based cybersecurity company Glasswall and loves her life at home with soon to be husband-to-be, her 13 yr old son, her 2 cats and a dog.

Speaker's Bio

For the last 5 and a half years Greg Rhein has been one of Glasswall’s Solutions Architects and is currently based out of our Reston VA office. Prior to this he was Security products Sales Manager and Technical Lead of an Arizona based Distributor. Previously to this he has held positions as an Enterprise Product Manager at HP/Compaq and Contract Product Support lead at Apple Computer. He has also worked as a Technical lead while consulting for MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Studios, SunAmerica (AIG) as well as a number of Bi-Coastal Law firms.

Speaker's Bio

Pete Newman is US Sales Director for Glasswall based in the NYC area and has a background in financial and regulatory technology, software and market data. As a Sales Executive, Product Manager and software entrepreneur, Pete has helped large investment banks, wealth management firms and leading online brokers solve business problems with best of breed technology solutions. His company Gotham Software, a provider of compliance solutions for the fixed income market was acquired by Ipreo (IHS Markit) in 2004.

Synopsis

Real time prevention strategy is key to staying ahead of cyber criminals and to keep up with digital transformation and globalization trends. Come learn about an emerging technology – Content Disarm and Reconstruct (CDR) – which aims to restore trust to digital collaboration and give your security and business operations teams a fighting chance to operate in today’s climate. CDR is the next defacto standard to prevention based cybersecurity strategy by shifting from looking for potential bad to what a known good file content looks like. Trust your files again.

Sridhar Kocharlakota brings more than 22 years of hands-on experience Technology Architecture areas specializing in Infrastructure and Security Areas. As the Director of Technology at Energy Insurance Mutual, Sridhar oversees the architecture and implementation of operational and business support systems that the organization uses to operate and manage the business. Sridhar is also the lead technologist for creative and innovative technology solutions at EIM. Over the last two decades Sridhar has spent significant time designing and architecting Content Delivery Networks for AT&T and running Disaster Recovery programs at Obamacare. Sridhar holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and holds a Master's in Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey. Also, Sridhar is currently in the last semester of a dual master’s program at Stevens working towards his MBA.

Surendra Reddy Challapalli's Bio

Surendra is a Business Systems and Applications Technology Specialist, particularly within Financial Technology (FinTech) industry. By leveraging my expertise in the financial markets landscape, regulatory mandates, and technology; I specialize in developing strategic business systems and innovative solutions that have a positive impact on investors, financial market.

Russell Haupert's Bio

With 20+ years of experience as an executive-level leader focused in technology, IT, & strategic business transformation efforts, I have been integral to multi-million-dollar revenue increases. It is my passion to utilize my technology background with SaaS & Cloud infrastructure initiatives, while managing & balancing high-level budgets. As a leader, I have focused on portfolio management while ensuring multi-million dollar projects are coordinated & executed with ease.

Charels Payne's Bio

Charles Payne is a dedicated Cybersecurity Executive with more than 25 years of applied experience in Digital Forensics, Governance Risk & Compliance, Penetration Testing, and Vulnerability Management. Charles believes that the correlation of expertise, progressive insights, and preemptive measures enable organizations to limit, reduce, or mitigate risk establishing developmental trust with key stakeholders. Charles also serves on the advisory board of vital organizations, providing business-critical experience to achieve defined business objectives. As a professor, Charles is passionate about fostering the cybersecurity community by teaching in an interactive lab setting and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Rick Rampersad's Bio

Coming Soon

Synopsis

This panel will discuss the key trends that are currently shaping the workforce. Join our speakers to hear about strategies you can employ to navigate the current environment and make your team more successful. This session will include audience Q&A.