About this Event
Join business owners, executives, and IT professionals from across Central New York for an afternoon of expert insights, thought-provoking discussions and valuable networking focused on the cybersecurity challenges and opportunities shaping today's business landscape.
In an era of rapidly evolving cyber threats, accelerating technological change, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence, organizations must make strategic decisions to adapt, innovate and protect their operations.
This event brings together industry leaders and subject matter experts to explore the critical areas every organization should consider when building a resilient, secure, and future-ready business. Through a series of panel discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into organizational culture, technology infrastructure, incident response planning, regulatory compliance and the responsible adoption of AI.
Keynote Speaker:
Jeff Knauss, CEO and Co-Founder of Arcovo AI, gets specific about where AI really is today and what it means for businesses in Central New York. Drawing on more than 300 AI Employee implementations, Jeff will walk through how AI has moved past rigid automation, the three ways companies are adopting it, and the question every business and IT leader asks first: what happens to my data? He'll cover how AI Employees connect securely to the systems you already use, why your data doesn't need to be perfect to get started, and how a least privilege approach keeps you in control. Attendees will see real case studies from companies already putting AI Employees to work and leave with practical steps they can take the same week.
Panel discussions will include the following:
People and Culture:
Every employee plays a role in protecting the company, whether they realize it or not. This panel explores how leaders can build a security-conscious culture through practical training, accountability and everyday behaviors that reduce risk. We’ll also look at how AI is changing the way employees work and creating new risks and opportunities along the way.
Panelists include Kate Chajka, Chakjka AI; BigMike, Total Solutions and Susan Fahrenkrug, Advanced IT. Moderated by: Lindsay Usherwood, Usherwood Office Technology.
Technical & Infrastructure:
Is your technology infrastructure keeping your business secure or quietly creating new risks? This panel takes a practical look at the decisions organizations face every day, from aging systems and passwords to cloud vs. on-premises environments and affordable modernization. We’ll also explore where AI can strengthen operations and where it can introduce its own vulnerabilities.
Panelists include Matt Masur, Growth Mode Technologies; Mike Lisi, Maltek Solutions and Stewart Walts, Usherwood Office Technology. Moderated by: Lindsay Usherwood, Usherwood Office Technology.
Incident Response & Recovery:
When a cyber incident occurs, that is not the time to figure out your response plan, and the first decisions you make can have a lasting impact. This panel takes you inside the critical first hour and first 24 hours of a cyber incident, from response planning and ransomware decisions to recovery. We’ll also explore how AI is changing how quickly threats can be detected and addressed.
Panelists include Christopher Kimpland, Velocity Incident Response; Justin Bartlett, Storm Lantern Consulting; Bryan Holleman, MSSP East and Theresa Pickens, Usherwood Office Technology. Moderated by Cainaan Webb, CenterState CEO.
Compliance & Infrastructure:
Cybersecurity readiness involves more than protecting your systems. This panel explores the obligations and risks businesses often overlook, including cybersecurity compliance, third-party risk, cyber insurance and when law enforcement should become part of the response. We’ll also look at what responsible AI adoption and governance should look like as businesses increasingly rely on these tools.
Panelists Jonathan Zalkin, Michael, Best & Friedrich; Jim Long, Long Law; Ashley Wicks, Delmonico Insurance; Shannon Knapp, Bond, Schoeneck & King and David Stuttard, M.A. Polce. Moderated by Cainaan Webb, CenterState CEO.
Cost:
Network (Member): $99 per person
Non-network (Non-member): $139 per person
Purchase more than one ticket and get a discount of 50%
Ticket includes: Lunch, program and networking reception
Event venue & nearby stays
INSPYRE Innovation Hub by CenterState, 235 Harrison Street, Syracuse, United States
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