Texas Technology Summit Agenda

Mark Seale is a trusted IT executive with nearly 30 years of Information Technology experience inclusive of being named a finalist for 2020 Corporate CIO of the Year in Houston. Known as a hands-on problem solver and creator of high performing teams, he has built and led organizations spanning specialized technology teams in the largest corporate environments to designing, implementing, and supporting full IT solutions for start-ups and PE backed M&A ventures. For the last 4 years he has served as CTO for the City of Houston Health Department, leading their IT initiatives, data modernization, establishing a PMO and growing the overall capacity and maturity of the team.

Synopsis

We all know that the only certain thing in life is change, but how can we use that uncertainty to build value? In the keynote we'll discuss how uncertainty can be a benefit, how our response to uncertainty can be a strength, and how uncertainty resets the playing field in careers and business.

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Speaker's Bio

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Synopsis

The most exciting thing to happen to Wi-Fi networks in over 20 years is the release of the 6 GHz spectrum. Nearly all of us carry a 6GHz device and Enterprises now have the ability to deploy tri-band Wireless Access Points which will provide a better user experience. We will provide you with the Top 5 Reasons why you need to upgrade to these new radios now versus down the road, rules to follow when deploying 6GHz for outdoor spaces, how 6GHz provides the most security wireless environment and more lessons we’ve learned from early deployments.

Mark is an accomplished leader in software and SaaS product marketing, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth for various technology companies such as Trinet, Liongard, and ConnectWise. At CyberFOX, Mark brings his extensive experience to the table, with a focus on evangelizing, positioning, and creating awareness for the company. With a deep understanding of how to effectively market software and SaaS products, Mark is poised to help CyberFOX reach new heights of success.

Synopsis

As cybersecurity evolves, protecting organizations from threats gets tougher. Verizon states 90% of Windows' breaches arise from user privileges. Reduce risk by removing admin rights despite potential frustration. Join CyberFOX to learn how to balance security and user ease, safeguarding your organization.

Joshua Roberts is the Manager of Concierge Security at Arctic Wolf in San Antonio, TX, where he leads a team of highly skilled Security Engineers and Analysts focused on network-defense, proactive protection and secure operations. With over fifteen years of experience in network security, security architecture, and operations management for managed service providers, Joshua brings valuable insights into security framework deployments and building winning businesses and teams.

Synopsis

In 2025, research found that nearly 50% of employees and almost two-thirds of IT leaders admitted to clicking a phishing link within the past 12 months, underscoring how human risk remains one of the most exploited attack paths. AI Powered Deception: Human Risk, Automation, and the Evolution of Social Engineering examines how attackers are using AI-driven techniques like LLM-generated phishing, voice replication, deepfakes, and large-scale social media reconnaissance to turn small human mistakes into high-impact intrusions. The session then reinforces why a return to the fundamentals of security operations is critical to reducing cyber risk in an AI-accelerated threat landscape.

Christopher Hills, Chief Security Strategist with BeyondTrust:
• 20+ years experience in security & technology
• Military veteran of the United States Navy
• Book author (Cloud Attack Vectors – on Amazon!)
• Book Contributor (Identity Attack Vectors)
• Book Editor (Privilege Attack Vectors)
• Several Articles on Dark Reading, CSO, Security Brief, across UAE, APJ and UK
• Written Compliance Matrix for PAM – CIS 20/18, Mitre, ISO, PCI, NIST & GDPR
• Operated as Deputy CTO and Deputy CISO roles at BeyondTrust
• Former Practitioner

Synopsis

As threats have evolved so too has the approach to Modern Identity Security. A Privilege-Centric approach must be adopted and considered with this evolution. Identity and user management for all accounts within an organization must mature to meet the demands of the cloud, nonhuman identities, Agentic AI and modern attack vectors. Your PAM strategy must now manage and mitigate not only traditional privileged access (root and admin) but also attacks against identities with a path to privileged access.

These paths to privilege still remain one of the most valuable targets for cybercriminals because many organizations are defending their environments with fragmented or siloed security strategies and solutions. Security gaps and risks lie in endpoints, cloud environments, Saas Applications, third-party access and now Agentic AI and NHI which make the battleground even harder to defend.

Identity Security builds on the foundation of defense-in-depth, coupling visibility with least privilege and Zero Trust while addressing critical risks with priority and exposing less-than critical risks for awareness.

Leverage a strategy that works, improves compliance, helps meet cyber insurance mandates, enhances security posture, while giving you the visibility needed to protect your environment.

Tim is a CISSP, CGRC certified security expert with over 25 years of experience leading IT and cybersecurity initiatives. He’s helped organizations of all sizes strengthen their defenses by building system roadmaps, guiding implementation projects, and aligning technology with long-term security goals.

Synopsis

Is your business below or dangerously close to the Cybersecurity Poverty Line? AI is now integrated into operations and security, offering powerful defenses while creating new risks and vulnerabilities.
In this expert-led session, you will learn practical, budget-friendly strategies to harness AI safely: strengthen protections, avoid common pitfalls, and rise above resource constraints. Leave with clear, actionable steps to navigate business security with confidence, no matter your size or budget.

Marcus Manning: AI Governance & Regulation

Table 1

Walter Wilkerson: AI Governance & Regulation

Table 2

Adam Pridgen: Puting Appropriate Guardrails Around AI

Table 3

Monica Ward: PreemptiveCybersecurity

Table 4

Manoj Tripathi: Successful Adoption of GenAI

Synopsis

The executive roundtables are for attendees with VIP badges only. The roundtables are intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

Taking AI from Imaginary to Reality

Discussion Points:
- How has the public perception of AI shifted from science fiction to practical reality?
- What key events or developments contributed to this change?
- Where do you see the line between "imaginary" AI (like sentient robots) and the "real" AI we have today?
- Is that line constantly shifting?
- How does the current state of AI research compare to the visions of AI presented in popular culture?
- What is the most significant real-world impact that AI is having on your business/industry?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of widespread AI adoption in your area?
- What are some unexpected or surprising real-world applications of AI that have emerged recently?
- What are your personal hopes and fears about the future of AI?
- How has your understanding of AI changed as you've learned more about it?
- How do you think AI will affect your career or field of study?
- If you could use AI to solve one problem, what would it be?

Antonio's Topic

Contract Negotiations & Streamlining IT

Hellmut's Topic

Augmented Intelligence – How You Can Drive Sustainable High-Performance And Competitive Advantage

Discussion Points:
- What conversations are you having with business leaders about AI?
- How do you approach the business case of AI POVs and initiatives?
- How do you combine innovation with security and equity?
- How do you ensure your data can support AI?
- How do you address process challenges before AI initiatives start?
- How do you address hallucinations, the entity, intent, and timing risks of AI?
- How do you value-check the equation “augmentative intelligence = human intelligence + artificial intelligence”?

Michael's Topic

Incident Response Protocols: Getting Your Team Prepared Now

Synopsis

The executive roundtables are for attendees with VIP badges only. The roundtables are intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

A strategic thought leader with extensive expertise in cybersecurity, Jeffrey Wheatman is regarded foremost as an expert in guiding public sector clients and Fortune 500 companies in connection with their cyber risk management programs. In his current role as Cyber Risk Evangelist at Black Kite, Jeffrey works to get the message out about the business impact of third-party risk and solutions to treat those risks.

Prior to joining Black Kite, Jeffrey was a Vice President in Gartner’s Research and Advisory Group for 15 years, where he worked with clients to build and improve their security programs, assessing risk, focusing on reporting on program status, stakeholder engagement, and bridging the connection between technology and cybersecurity risk. Jeffrey has authored approximately 150 research notes read by more than 6,000 clients. For four years, Jeffrey also served as the Chair of the North America Security and Risk Management Summit, Gartner’s 2nd largest conference with 4000 attendees annually.

Earlier in his career, Jeffrey contributed as Practice Manager, Information Security for Gotham Technology Group, and as a Principal Consultant, Information Security, with ThruPoint, Inc.

Synopsis

You may be perfect (you're not - we'll give you the benefit of the doubt), but your third-parties aren't. When they are hit by a cyber attack or ransomware, you are exposed. Maybe it's your data hitting the dark web, your operations grinding to a halt, or a missing patch throwing open the doors. In any case their risk is your exposure, and their breach is your problem; Questionnaires aren't the answer! Join us to learn the who, what, why, when, and how of upping your Third-Party Cyber Risk Management program. Establishing governance, creating processes, and implementing assessment and monitoring before, during and after onboarding your third parties is no longer an option. Get Proactive | Gain Control

Josh Karnes is a seasoned technologist and identity security expert serving as Principal Identity Architect at One Identity since 2021, where he specializes in identity governance and administration. With over 30 years in technology, Josh is a versatile engineer and inventor, holding eight patents in fields ranging from mechanical engineering to precision time synchronization. Beyond his professional achievements, he is an accomplished musician, an aspiring novelist, and a devoted grandfather, balancing his innovative career with a rich personal life.

Synopsis

As organizations expand their application portfolios across SaaS, on premises, and legacy systems, governing access consistently and effectively has become a major challenge. Many identity programs struggle not because of a lack of tools, but because a single tool—whether IGA or access management—is expected to solve every governance, automation, and compliance problem.

This session explores a more practical approach to identity governance based on using multiple identity technologies together as an integrated identity fabric. Rather than forcing uniform governance everywhere, attendees will learn how to apply the appropriate level of control based on application risk, cost of non governance, and technical constraints. The talk highlights how overlapping capabilities between IGA and access management can be an advantage when used intentionally, extending governance coverage without increasing complexity or user fatigue.

Participants will leave with a clear framework for prioritizing applications, selecting provisioning strategies, and improving security and auditability across the entire IT estate—by using the right tool for each job.

Ryan Post is an IT professional with over 12 years as a sales engineer focusing on data management, primarily with data protection. Most of his career was spent as a systems engineer with Veeam Software helping commercial and SLED customers with understanding the Veeam product lines and design best practices to achieve their data protection needs. Not only customer focused, but he also interacts with channel partners for the solutions he supports as a sales engineer. Currently he runs the Americas Sales Engineering team for Object First.

Synopsis

96% of ransomware attacks target backup data. In the past, having endpoint protection and securing your infrastructure may have been sufficient. Still, today, businesses recognize that security measures will fail, and the threat of ransomware is “when,” not “if”. Ransomware targets backups because bad actors know that if they can take out the possibility of recovery, the ransom is all but guaranteed. Paired with the fact that backup solutions today are often too complex, fragile, and slow to recover, businesses frequently find themselves choosing between a suboptimal recovery option and the risk of paying for a decryption tool that may not even work.

This session shows how to transform your backups from a weak point into your last line of defense against ransomware. Learn how Object First delivers secure, simple, and powerful backup storage purpose-built for Veeam that’s absolutely immutable. With the ultimate ransomware defense, you and your organization become Simply Resilient.

Jaime Ortiz has worked in the InfoSec world for over 30 years. He has spent time in the Banking, Education, Oil and Gas, and the Aerospace industry. Jaime possesses a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and has taught Information Security at the University of Houston. Currently, Mr. Ortiz leads a team of engineers at CATO Networks developing solutions for the commercial space. Mr. Ortiz has worked with some of the top 30 Fortune 500 companies in assisting them to design and deploy security solutions to combat the current threat landscape and possess multiple security certifications by ISC2 and GIAC.

Speaker's Bio

Marc has a 30-year career in Cybersecurity and Technology dating back to his service in the US Air Force. He has worked in Silicon Valley performing CyberTech roles, including management, and then at KPMG, a Big 4 firm, in a CyberTech executive consultant role. At the executive management level, currently he is the VP of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at Crane Worldwide Logistics with responsibilities for 11 different functions across IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, IT Help Desk, and IT Procurement and Asset Management. Previously Marc was the CISO/SVP at Woodforest National Bank from August 2012 – June 2021 and worked as a CISO and in the CISO role at a large global company and real estate firm. Marc is also the CEO, Founder, vCIO/vCISO of CyberFore Systems LLC, a cybersecurity consulting and solutions provider firm he started in 2018.

Synopsis

Join us for an illuminating fireside chat where Marc Cruddington, VP of Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at Crane Technologies sits down with Cato Networks to explore why now more than ever, companies are focused on creating a more integrated, efficient, and resilient approach to secure networking delivered within a unified platform.

An experienced executive with a proven track record of business development, organization building, program management and technical support. Mr. Khalaf is multilingual (English, Arabic, French) with international work experience and a strong commitment to employee development, leadership and motivation.
He spent more than 17 years at Microsoft Corporation helping release a range of products such as Office, Frontpage and SharePoint. He spearheaded the effort to expand support services into global markets. In addition, Mr. Khalaf was instrumental in the effort to support the shift from on-premises products to cloud at Microsoft by managing the global operations of critical cloud based applications.
Mr. Khalaf holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of New Orleans and completed an Executive program through Babson College and Goldman Sachs.

Synopsis

Merging two or more businesses can be daunting enough operationally, and the work involved with IT consolidation makes it that much more complicated. There’s a silver lining though. While moving and consolidating systems and data is the main outcome, our journey also focuses on the economics of your Microsoft investments, by identifying software redundancy, over provisioned services and third-party products with functional parity.
Join us to dive into the methodologies ampiO employs to ensure seamless migrations with strategic focus on long term technology OpEx savings.

Kelly Markey is a cybersecurity and risk executive who helps fast-moving companies—from early-stage startups to enterprise executive teams—build security programs that scale with speed and integrity. As Founder and Chief Information Security Officer of Revival Tech Solutions, she partners with organizations navigating growth, compliance, and trust in today’s AI-accelerated landscape.

Synopsis

This executive forum is for attendees with VIP badges only. The forum is intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

Scott Lewis is the Director of Solution Consultants for Hitachi Vantara, a leader in the enterprise storage and AI industry. Managing a team of dedicated Solution Consultants and Architects, he previous was a technical architect himself for a number of the industry’s top datacenter companies including Dell EMC, Cisco, and Pure Storage. A public speaker, he enjoys teaching an annual seminar to the International Society of Business Appraisers as part of efforts to include Cyber Resiliency preparation as part of the valuation and appraisal of companies.

Previously, he has 15 years of customer side Enterprise IT experience including stints with Goldman Sachs, Interim HealthCare, and Norwegian Cruise Line. He resides in Atlanta with his wife of 20 years, two daughters, two dogs and an unspecified number of fish.

Synopsis

Today’s corporate and governmental entities are navigating a brave new world where prevention is no longer a wholly effective cyber security posture. The question is no longer “what to do if we are breached”, instead we are living in an age where the question must be “what do we do when we are breached?”

This talk will cover the sobering statistics and realities that cyber attacks are constant and an incident is all but guaranteed. You’ll also learn what some companies are doing beyond prevention and backup/recovery but how the focus is turning to a business continuity posture centered around rapid detection and mitigation as well as guaranteed recovery and return to operations.

Greg Harris is a Cloud Security Architect at Varonis, helping customers lock down sensitive data and reduce risk across hybrid and multi cloud environments. Previously a Senior Solutions Architect in AWS, he brings hands on expertise in working with public sector customers, solving business problems across hybrid & multi-cloud environments.

Synopsis

This session discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the risks AI poses to data security. The presentation advocates for using AI to protect sensitive data and manage access effectively, underscoring the urgent need for organizations to adapt to these new threats.

Alex has worked in the technology space since 2014, with a deep background in Datacenter, Cloud Infrastructure, Hyperscale Cloud, Resiliency, Cybersecurity, and Network, helping hundreds of businesses transform their technology. Having had the opportunity to report directly to CTOs for several years, she prides herself on a rich technical background that allows her to offer clients a more comprehensive view of their technology stack.
For the last 5 years, she has been hyper-focused on Cybersecurity, supporting sales motions, training, evangelizing, and developing go-to-market strategies for the Channel. She successfully built 3 Channel Programs and spent several years in National Leadership Roles, including Fortune 20 companies. She is fueled by her passion to keep our nation’s state and communities safe from the devastation of cybercrime. Her superpower is the ability to break down complex technical concepts into layman’s terms through analogies and metaphors that people can relate to.

Synopsis

Understanding challenges and best practices for businesses that rely heavily on cloud-based applications and hybridized environments. The demand for specialized point solutions creates cybersecurity sprawl and contributes to alert fatigue. We'll discuss what IT Professionals should consider when evaluating their own cloud security strategy.

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Speaker's Bio

Shane has a wide range of security experience: data analysis, forensics, debugging malware, penetration testing, and network and system administration. He is passionate about open source projects and was the highest community contributor to the Atomic Red Team GitHub project before joining Red Canary. In his free time, Shane enjoys studying different approaches to exploiting networks and applications, assisting others with open-source SIEM solutions, and traveling.

Synopsis

Security teams today are bombarded by alerts and struggle with disconnected tools, making it difficult to pinpoint and stop the threats that matter most. Join top SecOps experts as they share real customer stories and explore what it really takes to get to the bottom of endless alerts. You’ll walk away from this session with essential strategies, including:

• Techniques to reveal hidden risks and drastically reduce alert fatigue
• Insightful ways to add rich context from exposures, assets, identities, endpoints, network activity, and cloud environments to every alert to make better decisions
• New ways to rethink investigation, containment, and remediation for faster, more automated response
• Practical guidance for scaling SOC capacity by leveraging managed SOC services, agentic AI, and expert intervention where it matters most

Learn from real-world SecOps transformations and discover proven methods to focus resources on what truly matters. Take actionable ideas back to your organization to strengthen your SOC, accelerate threat detection, and gain operational clarity.

Radar has extensive experience with AI Governance, IT Audit, GRC/IRM, TPRM, process improvement, Information Security, Cybersecurity , Executive Protection, Physical Security, communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences, exceptional oral and written communication skills. He is a strategic thinker with tactical application abilities and direct-action capacity.

Synopsis

More Info Coming Soon

John Barrow, CISSP, has a diverse work experience in the field of cybersecurity. John is currently serving as the Director of Cybersecurity at JB Poindexter & Co since August 2022. Prior to this, from October 2020 to August 2022, he was the Manager of SOC, NOC, TVM & Forensics, and from April 2019 to October 2020, he served as the Cybersecurity Program Manager at Texas Children's Hospital. John has also worked at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, where he held various roles including Cybersecurity PM/Operations Analyst, CMS Systems Analyst, and Corporate Deskside Support Supervisor/Team Lead from 2011 to 2019. Their earlier experience includes working as a Project Manager/Applied Technology Analyst at SAIC from 2006 to 2011 and as an Intelligence Analyst in the US Army from 2002 to 2006.

Michael Gregg's Bio

Michael is a skilled CISO with the ability to build a cybersecurity program from the ground up. His passion is taking something and optimizing it to extract every bit of performance possible. He has authored or co-authored nearly 20 books on cybersecurity, has testified before Congress on best practices for protecting personal information and has assited in getting multiple laws passed in North Dakota. With an ability to explain complex technical issues in a simple manner, Michael is an industry leader on IT security, data privaty and asset protection.

Marcus Manning's Bio

Marcus is a well-rounded IT Executive with over 25 years of experience in the field of IT with a focus on IT Infrastructure, Operations, Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Data Analytics. A driven and accomplished executive with a proven track record in managing complex projects and systems operations at an enterprise level with an empowering and results driven approach. Insightful visionary who motivates teams to deliver quality solutions and support, while collaborating with executive teams and key stakeholders to formulate strategic plans, execution roadmaps, and expected outcomes.

Kelly Markey's Bio

Kelly Markey is a strategic cybersecurity executive with over 15 years of experience developing and leading security programs that mitigate risk, drive business growth, and enhance operational efficiency. A trusted advisor and public speaker, she specializes in navigating complex cybersecurity and compliance challenges, ensuring organizations meet regulatory requirements while maintaining a competitive edge.

Linda White's Bio

Linda is an enthusiastic, highly motivated, goal-oriented Cyber Security Professional with of varied security and information technology and security experiences. Proven technical and interpersonal skills within a startup environment as well as Fortune 500 enterprises, private, and public sectors.

Synopsis

This panel will cover an array of differenct topics, come and listen!

Marcus is a security sales overlay with TPx, providing technical expertise on our cybersecurity products and Security Advisory Services offerings. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Central Florida. Network+ Certification.

Synopsis

TPx explores Defense in Depth, a multi-layered cybersecurity strategy designed to protect businesses from evolving threats. Attendees will learn how combining multiple security controls—spanning network, endpoint, data, and access protection—creates a resilient defense against cyberattacks. The session will highlight key principles, real-world applications, and best practices to strengthen security posture and ensure business continuity.

Linda White: AI Boardlevel Accountability

Table 1

Kelly Markey: AI Boardlevel Accountability

Table 2

Hellmut Ometzberger: Modernizing Infrastructure and Reducing Technical Debt

Table 2

Mark Combs: Modernizing Infrastructure and Reducing Technical Debt

Table 3

Michael Gregg: AI and Third-Party Risk

Table 3

Radar Riley: AI and Third-Party Risk

Table 4

Mario Chiock: Building a Great Team Through Servant Leadership

Synopsis

The executive roundtables are for attendees with VIP badges only. The roundtables are intended for audience participation so be ready to discuss, receive valuable information, and connect with others for further discussion.

Steve joined Arcserve as a Solution Consultant in June of 2011. Prior to joining Arcserve, Steve spent five years working as an IT Manager for a Contract Manufacturer in the biotech industry (San Diego, CA) and before that spent seven years as a Sr. Systems Engineer between two local San Diego value-added resellers. His primary focus over the past decade has been educating and enabling customers and partners on the Arcserve portfolio of data protection solutions—including backup/disaster recovery, business continuity and high availability.

Synopsis

When it comes to cyberattacks, catastrophe is just around the corner, and even data security best practices may not be good enough for today’s onslaught of evolving threats. The only way to ensure IT systems and data are safe is to use a multi-layer solution that includes anti-ransomware and other threat prevention technologies and DR for protection against data loss.

Learn how you can prevent cyberattacks and immediately restore business-critical data – no ransom required.

Manish Kumar is a seasoned IT professional and Digital Project Manager with over 12 years of experience in intelligent automation, data analytics, and business process optimization. With nearly 8 years of specialization in intelligent automation, he is proficient in Robotic Process Automation, Visual Analytics, R, Python, and advanced statistical techniques, enabling him to deliver actionable insights and predictive models. Manish excels in end-to-end digital solutions, driving strategic product roadmaps and collaborating across multi-functional teams. His expertise spans product capabilities, application integration, and technology architecture, particularly in robotic process automation. Notably, he has driven a 40% growth in product revenue, saved 1 million hours of manual effort, and led significant efficiency improvements across various domains, including HR, finance, and supply chain. A strong leader, Manish has trained over 500 employees in Intelligent Automation and has been recognized in the "Automation Now & Next" global report. His ability to develop customized data solutions and provide strategic guidance has consistently enhanced client operations, performance, and growth across industries.

Synopsis

This session explores how integrating automation and advanced analytics can significantly enhance stakeholder engagement and maximize organizational value. It highlights how digital transformation initiatives—when aligned with business strategy—can streamline operations, improve decision-making, and deliver measurable outcomes. The presentation will cover practical approaches to embedding automation into workflows, leveraging real-time data insights for proactive decision-making, and improving transparency across stakeholders. It will also demonstrate how intelligent tools can reduce manual effort, accelerate processes, and create scalable solutions.

As part of the session, I will showcase Microsoft Copilot Studio, illustrating how AI-powered copilots can be designed and deployed to automate interactions, support teams, and drive data-driven engagement.

John is a Managing Director with Consortium Networks’ Solutions practice. He has a proven track record of over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity. He delivers projects and services for companies of all sizes ranging from pre-seed startups to Fortune 100 organizations. John has deep expertise in Security Governance, Risk Assessment, Cloud Security, and Security Operations. John is passionate about assessing program strengths, uncovering opportunities for improvement, defining strategic direction with leadership, and ensuring the successful execution of projects.

Synopsis

Traditional Value-Added Resellers (VARs) focus on selling products—Consortium Networks is resetting the standard. In this session, discover how we leverage proprietary cyber risk quantification technology, developed with the support of insurance providers, to help organizations make data-driven security decisions. Learn how translating cyber risk into financial terms enables strategic investment, executive alignment, better decision-making, and stronger security postures—moving beyond guesswork to a true game plan.

We are thrilled to welcome back long-time member Allen Wuescher as our keynote speaker for this exciting event. Allen brings decades of experience, having served as a CIO advisor with Andersen, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and E&Y, with much of his career rooted in Houston. He went on to become the VP and CIO of Toshiba International Corporation, where he led for eight successful years before briefly retiring. Currently, Allen serves as an executive counselor for Info-Tech Research Group in Austin, TX.
In his keynote, Allen will provide valuable insights into the InfoTech 2025 IT Priorities, focusing on the emerging IT trends and strategies that organizations must adopt to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Drawing from his extensive experience with clients, including Enron, Allen will highlight key IT challenges and opportunities, including fraud prevention and the impact of natural disasters like Houston’s flooding. He will also explore how strong leadership and strategic IT decision-making are critical to navigating these complex issues in 2025 and beyond.
Beyond the professional insights, Allen's love for music will take center stage as he showcases his piano talents, ensuring the evening is both informative and enjoyable. We look forward to an inspiring evening with SIM Houston, filled with discussions that will help shape the future of IT leadership.

Synopsis

SIM Members + IT/IS Managers & Above

Andrew Brorsen is the CEO of Cirrus Cybersecurity Group, advising CISOs and security leadership teams on Identity Security, AI security, and enterprise cybersecurity strategy. With 30 years of consulting experience—including 20 years dedicated to cybersecurity—he focuses on helping organizations strengthen identity centric defenses, reduce operational risk, and align security programs with business and regulatory demands.
A CPA and former auditor, Andrew brings a business controls perspective that resonates with executive stakeholders and boards. He specializes in Identity Security program assessments and roadmaps, IAM solution delivery, NERC CIP and SOX compliance, and emerging AI related risks—translating complex technical issues into practical, risk aligned decisions.
Andrew has delivered sessions for AICPA, InfraGard, ISACA, ISC2, and Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business, frequently speaking on identity driven security architectures, leveraging AI, and how CISOs can balance strategy, risk, and budget in rapidly evolving threat environments.
He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Illinois State University with an emphasis in Business Information Systems.

Synopsis

What is a TTX
Participants will engage in a fast paced, realistic, scenario based exercise designed to strengthen cross sector AI readiness:
• Realistic AI related scenarios used as forcing functions to test decision making and defensive posture
• Short breakout sessions to collaborate in small groups
• Report outs that surface practices, common gaps, and effective strategies across organizations

What You Will Produce
By the end of the TTX, participants will walk away with:
• AI defensive use cases grounded in real operational actions
• Practical guardrails that improve AI safety, resilience, and auditability
• One “Monday morning change” — a concrete improvement your organization can implement immediately

Key Takeaways from the Exercise
Participants will leave with clearer insight into:
• How their organization can strengthen AI governance and defensive posture
• Practical cross sector lessons learned from peers
• Actionable steps to reduce AI related risk
• A shared understanding of common threat patterns and mitigation strategies