16th Annual

SecureWorld Houston 2026

April 30, 2026 | Norris Conference Center - Houston CityCentre

EVENT DETAILS

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Conference Agenda

Day 1
Day 2

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Open Sessions
Conference Pass
SecureWorld Plus
VIP / Exclusive

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
9:00 am
[PLUS Course] Securing & Enabling AI: Transform Chaos into Competitive Advantage
Kip Boyle, Instructor
vCISO, Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC
Registration Level:
SecureWorld Plus
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Your CEO just asked about AI security. Do you have an answer?

While you’re counting vulnerabilities, your competitors are deploying AI at scale.

Every Monday, another department launches an AI tool. Marketing uses ChatGPT for campaigns. Sales deploys AI Sales Development Reps. Customer service automates with chatbots.

And your cybersecurity team? Still writing policies nobody reads.

In this interactive workshop, learn you how to secure AI while accelerating innovation—not blocking it. Transform from AI Firefighter to Strategic Business Enabler, with a 90-day roadmap for secure AI deployment in your organization.

You’ll master:

• The AIR-MAP Methodology™ — Your proven 90-day roadmap from AI chaos to governance

• Executive Translation — Turn technical AI risks into boardroom language

• NIST AI RMF Implementation — Practical application, not theory

• The $12M Question — Secure against deepfake fraud and AI-enabled attacks

• Shadow AI Discovery — Find and govern the AI already in your organization

• Business-First Security — Protect value, not just systems

Who should attend:

Perfect fit:

• CISOs facing board questions about AI

• Information Security Directors enabling digital transformation

• IT VPs without dedicated security teams

• Cybersecurity Consultants serving enterprise clients

• Risk Managers governing AI initiatives

• Aspiring decision makers and those reporting to one

Wrong course:

• Developers wanting to code AI models

• Analysts seeking technical certifications

• Anyone looking for hands-on hacking labs

This workshop is NOT about:

• Prompt injection techniques

• Model architecture security

• Technical vulnerability scanning

• Writing 200-page policies

This workshop IS about:

• Speaking profit-and-loss to executives

• Enabling your AI transformations

• Building cybersecurity into AI from day one

• Becoming the trusted AI advisor

You’ll leave with:

1. The Complete AIR-MAP Toolkit

• 90-day implementation roadmap

• Discovery templates and workflows

• Risk scoring calculators

• Executive presentation templates

2. Ready-to-Deploy Policies

• AI Acceptable Use Policy (customize in minutes)

• Vendor assessment questionnaires

• Incident Response playbooks

3. 30-Minute Strategy Session

Complementary private consultation to apply AIR-MAP to your specific situation.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
7:00 am
Registration open
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
7:00 am - 4:15 pm
Location / Room: Registration Desk
Come to the Registration desk in the lobby to check-in and get your badge. SecureWorld staff will be available throughout the day if you have any questions.
8:00 am
Networking Hall open
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
8:00 am - 4:45 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Your opportunity to visit our solution vendor partners, whose sponsorship makes SecureWorld possible, as well as association chapters! Booths have staff ready to answer your questions. Look for participating Dash For Prizes sponsors to be entered to win prizes.

Also, look for “Cyber Connect” discussions on select topics and join the conversation.
8:00 am
Advisory Council Roundtable Breakfast (VIP / Invite only)
Registration Level:
VIP / Exclusive
8:00 am - 8:45 am
Moderated discussion for SecureWorld Advisory Council members. By invite only.
8:00 am
Association Chapter Meetings
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
8:00 am - 8:45 am
Participating professional associations and details to be announced.
8:00 am
Simple Daily Habits to Strengthen Your Security Posture
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
8:00 am - 8:45 am
Session details to come.
8:45 am
Networking Break
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
8:45 am - 9:00 am
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Visit the Networking Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.
9:00 am
[Opening Keynote] The State of Cybersecurity in 2026: Threats, Trends, and What Comes Next
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Location / Room: Keynote Theater
Session details to come.
9:45 am
Networking Break & Cyber Connect
The Human Element in Cybersecurity
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
9:45 am - 10:15 am
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Despite all the tools and technology, people remain the most unpredictable variable in security. Whether insider threats, awareness training, or culture-building, human behavior is central to your cyber strategy.

Please join us in the Networking Hall to connect with peers over coffee and snacks and discuss how organizations are tackling the people side of cybersecurity.
10:15 am
Quantum Readiness: Preparing Your Organization for a Post-Quantum Future
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
10:15 am - 10:50 am
Session details to come.
10:15 am
Identity Security Beyond MFA: Continuous Verification and Risk-Based Controls
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
10:15 am - 10:50 am
Session details to come.
10:15 am
Modern Ransomware: Double Extortion, Data Destruction, and Targeted Campaigns
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
10:15 am - 10:50 am
Session details to come.
10:50 am
Networking Break & Cyber Connect
AI in Cybersecurity: Game-Changer or Growing Threat?
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
10:50 am - 11:10 am
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Artificial intelligence rapidly redefines how we defend our networks—and how attackers target them. From threat detection to deepfakes, explore the double-edged nature of AI in cybersecurity and how it’s impacting your daily work.

Please join us in the Networking Hall to connect with peers over coffee and snacks and share real-world experiences, strategies, and concerns around AI’s growing role in security.
11:10 am
Securing Cloud-Native Environments: Containers, Kubernetes, and Serverless
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
11:10 am - 11:45 am
Session details to come.
11:10 am
The Rise of AI Assistants: New Insider Threat and Data Exposure Challenges
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
11:10 am - 11:45 am
Session details to come.
11:10 am
[Panel] Navigating the Evolving Digital Battlefield
Focus Areas: Identity-First Security; Attack Surface Management; Supply Chain & Fourth-Party Risk
David Sledge, Moderator
Board Officer, ISACA Greater Houston Chapter; CISO, Secure Seed Capital
Panel Discussion
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
11:10 am - 11:45 am
As organizational footprints expand across cloud, SaaS, OT/IoT, and dispersed workforces, defenders face a more complex and interconnected digital battlefield. This panel brings together experts to explore how today’s threat actors combine automation, social engineering, identity breaches, and software supply-chain attacks into highly coordinated assaults.

Panelists will examine the expanding importance of identity in the modern SOC, the emergence of AI-driven threats such as automated reconnaissance and deepfake-assisted breaches, and how fourth-party dependencies are changing risk visibility. The discussion also connects these trends to organizational resilience—showing how teams can improve detection, response, and business continuity across an evolving attack surface. This comprehensive session provides practical insights for any security leader seeking clarity amid converging threats.
11:45 am
Networking Break
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Visit the Networking Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.
12:00 pm
[Lunch Keynote] AI-Accelerated Attacks and Defenses: Preparing for Machine-Speed Threats
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Location / Room: Keynote Theater
Session details to come.
12:00 pm
Advisory Council Roundtable Lunch (VIP / Invite Only)
Registration Level:
VIP / Exclusive
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Moderated discussion for SecureWorld Advisory Council members. By invite only.
12:45 pm
Networking Break & Cyber Connect
Proactive by Design: Anticipating Threats Before They Strike
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
12:45 pm - 1:15 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
The days of reacting to alerts are over. From continuous monitoring to threat hunting, organizations are shifting to proactive security models that anticipate and prevent incidents before they happen.

Please join us in the Networking Hall to connect with peers over coffee and snacks and explore how to make proactive security a reality in your environment.
1:15 pm
Zero Trust in Practice: What Real-World Implementations Look Like Now
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
1:15 pm - 1:50 pm
Session details to come.
1:15 pm
Burnout in Cybersecurity: Recognizing, Preventing, and Managing Team Fatigue
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
1:15 pm - 1:50 pm
Session details to come.
1:15 pm
[Panel] The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Cyber Defense
Focus Areas: AI-Powered SecOps; Adversarial AI & Synthetic Media; AI Governance & Assurance
Panel Discussion
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
1:15 pm - 1:50 pm
AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity at all levels, speeding up detection and enabling automated attacks on an unprecedented scale. This session examines AI’s dual role as both a powerful defensive tool and a new threat vector for attackers. Panelists will discuss how AI copilots enhance analyst workflows, triage, and anomaly detection, while also addressing emerging risks such as LLM data leakage, prompt injection, model poisoning, and hallucinations within high-trust SOC processes.

The discussion will cover AI governance and assurance frameworks, evolving regulatory expectations, and the impact of synthetic content—including deepfakes, audio spoofing, and hyper-personalized phishing—on social engineering defenses. Attendees will leave with a solid understanding of AI’s potential, the safety measures needed for responsible deployment, and practical steps for preparing teams and pipelines for an AI-driven threat environment.
1:50 pm
Networking Break & Cyber Connect
What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
1:50 pm - 2:10 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Head to the Networking Lounge to connect with peers and sponsors. This open-ended discussion theme invites you to share what’s top of mind in your role—whether it’s emerging threats, resource challenges, or the next big project on your plate. Compare perspectives, swap strategies, and see how others in the community are tackling the same late-night concerns.
2:10 pm
API Security: Managing the Fastest-Growing Attack Surface
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
2:10 pm - 2:45 pm
Session details to come.
2:10 pm
Building Incident Response Plans for Highly Distributed Workforces
Registration Level:
Conference Pass
2:10 pm - 2:45 pm
Session details to come.
2:10 pm
[Panel] Cloud Security & Multi-Cloud Defense: Securing the Modern Enterprise
Focus Areas: Multi-Cloud & SaaS Governance; Workload & Data Protection; Zero Trust & Edge Security
Panel Discussion
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
2:10 pm - 2:45 pm
Modern enterprises rely on a complex mix of cloud providers, SaaS platforms, APIs, and distributed identities—offering agility but also creating new control gaps. This panel gathers leaders in CSPM, workload protection, cloud identity, API security, and SaaS governance to explore the challenges of securing multi-cloud environments at scale.

Panelists will discuss AI-driven misconfigurations, rapid SaaS sprawl, and the persistent risk of API-related breaches, as well as how zero trust principles are applied to cloud entitlements and data flows. The conversation also covers DSPM-led visibility, cross-cloud identity governance, and the convergence of network and cloud security through SASE/SSE. Whether you’re cloud-mature or still early in the journey, this session provides strategies for protecting cloud workloads, identities, and data in environments where every misconfiguration can become a breach.
2:45 pm
Networking Break & Cyber Connect
Final Entries for Dash for Prizes and Passport
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
This is your final chance to visit the Networking Hall and get scanned by our participating partners for our Dash for Prizes. You can also turn in your Passport cards at the Registration Desk before we announce our winner!
3:00 pm
[Closing Keynote] Ask Us Anything! A Live Conversation with Security Leaders
Focus Areas: Leadership, Decision Making, and Communication
John Barrow
CISO, JB Poindexter & Co.
Panel Discussion
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Location / Room: Keynote Theater
In an industry defined by constant change, some challenges have proven remarkably persistent. New technologies emerge, threat actors adapt, and the latest “revolution” captures headlines—but many of the core issues security leaders face today are the same ones they’ve been navigating for years.
This interactive closing keynote brings together a panel of experienced security leaders for a candid, audience-driven conversation about what hasn’t changed in cybersecurity. From managing risk and influencing the business to building trust, leading teams, and responding to inevitable incidents, the discussion will focus on the enduring lessons that remain relevant—regardless of the tools, platforms, or trends of the moment.

Attendees are encouraged to shape the conversation by asking live questions, sharing reflections, and sharing real-world scenarios. Whether the topic is AI, cloud, ransomware, or the next unknown disruption, this session offers perspective grounded in experience—and a reminder that while technology evolves, the fundamentals of security leadership remain surprisingly constant.

Join us for an honest conversation, shared learning, and a thoughtful end to the day before we continue the discussion at happy hour.
3:45 pm
Happy Hour & Dash for Prizes
Registration Level:
Open Sessions
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Location / Room: Networking Hall
Join your peers for conversation and complimentary beverages. This is a great opportunity to network with other security professionals from the area and discuss the hot topics from the day.

Participating sponsors will announce their Dash for Prizes winners. Must be present to win.

Keynote & Speaker Information

SecureWorld Houston

April 30, 2026

Exhibitors

Canary Trap
Booth: TBD
Canary Trap is a recognized industry leader in offensive security, security advisory and assessment services. Founded by ethical hackers and certified security experts who share in the common goal of protecting organizations from becoming a victim of the next cyber-attack.

Canary Trap combines human expertise with sophisticated tools and, where appropriate, threat intelligence to ensure a thorough, in-depth approach to all security testing and assessments.
Concentric AI
Booth: TBD
Concentric AI delivers data risk assessment, monitoring, and protection for corporate data.
InfraGard Houston
Booth: TBD
The Houston Chapter of InfraGard provides members of the Critical Infrastructure community a means to share information to prevent, protect, and defend against hostile acts against Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR). InfraGard is designed to address the need for private and public-sector information-sharing mechanisms at both the national and local levels. It is our goal to improve and extend information sharing between private industry and the government, particularly the FBI, when it comes to critical national infrastructures.
ISACA Houston
Booth: TBD
Our aim is to sponsor local educational seminars and workshops, conduct regular chapter meetings, and help to further promote and elevate the visibility of the IS audit, control and security profession throughout the area. We conduct chapter meetings the third Thursday of the month that typically includes a morning or afternoon training along with a luncheon meeting/training. We also sponsor SIG group meetings on the same day. Local seminars are held in the spring and fall that include topics of high relevance to our membership community. Certification training is scheduled before each ISACA exam date based on interest level.
Houston ISC2 Chapter
Booth: TBD
Houston ISC2 is a dedicated non-profit chapter of ISC2, the world’s leading cybersecurity professional association. We strive to create a safe and secure cyber world by supporting our members through valuable networking opportunities, educational resources, and career advancements. Based in Houston, we actively promote cybersecurity awareness within the community and empower individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge in this critical field.
ISSA South Texas
Booth: TBD
The South Texas Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) is a non-profit organization of information security professionals and practitioners. South Texas ISSA provides education forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities which enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members. This Chapter is affiliated with the international ISSA organization, conforms to its professional and organizational guidelines, and supports the ISSA Code of Ethics. We encourage our members to pursue and maintain formal security certifications in their chosen fields and offer training opportunities to help members meet requirements for continuing education.
Keysight
Booth: TBD
Keysight’s portfolio of network security solutions simulate threats, eliminate blind spots, taking control of a rapidly-changing attack surface. Be a hero, not a headline, by proving your network is secure simulating attacks, exposing gaps early, and course correct with step-by-step fixes; protecting users and applications with increased the efficiency, performance, and reliability of your security systems; patrolling every packet eliminating vulnerable blind spots and decrypt threats hiding in SSL traffic; and practice your cyber skills enhancing your security and attack response skills against real-world threats.
Oil and Natural Energy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ONE-ISAC)
Booth: TBD
ONE-ISAC is dedicated to supporting cybersecurity intelligence and collaboration in the oil and natural gas sectors. Since 2014, we’ve worked to protect critical infrastructure by sharing timely threat intelligence and best practices.
P0 Security
Booth: TBD
P0 Security is helping companies modernize PAM for multi-cloud and hybrid environments with the most agile way to ensure least-privileged, short-lived and auditable production access for users, NHIs and agents. Centralized governance, just-enough-privilege and just-in-time controls deliver secure access to production, as simply and scalably as possible. Every identity. Every system. All the time.

P0’s Access Graph and Identity DNA data layer make up the foundational architecture that powers privilege insights and access control across all identities, production resources and environments. With P0, production access is least-privilege, short-lived and auditable by default, including the new class of AI-driven agentic workloads emerging in modern environments.

To explore P0 Security further or book a demo, visit p0.dev.
Sumo Logic
Booth: TBD
Sumo Logic was founded in 2010 by experts in log management, scalable systems, big data, and security. Today, our purpose-built, cloud-native service analyzes more than 100 petabytes of data, more than 16 million searches, and delivers 10s of millions of insights daily – positioning Sumo among the most powerful machine data analytics services in the world.
WiCyS Houston Affiliate
Booth: TBD
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a global community that is dedicated to bringing talented women together to celebrate and foster their passion and drive for cybersecurity. WiCyS Houston Affiliate was formed to empower women in cyber and create a safe community for women to flourish, explore, and learn. We unite local, national, and international communities across academia, research, and industry to empower women through knowledge, experience, networking, and mentorship.

Return to Agenda

Keynote Speakers

Speakers

Kip Boyle, Instructor
vCISO, Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC
https://www.cyberriskopportunities.com/
Kip Boyle is the Virtual Chief Information Security Officer of Cyber Risk Opportunities, whose mission is to help executives become more proficient cyber risk managers. He has over 24 years of cybersecurity experience serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and in other IT risk management roles for organizations in the financial services, technology, telecom, military, civil engineering, and logistics industries.
David Sledge, Moderator
Board Officer, ISACA Greater Houston Chapter; CISO, Secure Seed Capital
Cybersecurity executive with 18+ years of experience supporting organizations, boards, and founders on cyber risk, governance, and security transformation during growth and change.

David's work centers on aligning cybersecurity strategy with business objectives, strengthening governance and risk management, and guiding leadership teams through complex transitions across regulated industries, including aviation, energy, construction, and professional services.

He advises and invests in early-stage cybersecurity startups, serving as a non-fiduciary advisor, angel investor, and limited partner in multiple cybersecurity-focused investment funds. He provides experience-based guidance on customer discovery, ICP definition, enterprise buyer expectations, product-market alignment, and go-to-market readiness, with a strong focus on connecting founders with CISOs, design partners, and senior technology leaders to accelerate validation and early adoption.

He brings a background spanning enterprise cybersecurity, IT strategy, compliance, and data privacy, with a proven ability to translate technical risk into clear business impact for executive and board audiences. I remain active in the cybersecurity community through board service, speaking, and mentorship.

MBA (Information Technology), BS in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, 20+ certifications, including CISSP, CISM, and CIPM.

David believes strong cybersecurity is built on trust, governance, and clear communication.
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
John Barrow
CISO, JB Poindexter & Co.
An accomplished IT Security leader, John has more than 20 years’ experience spearheading the formation and optimization of several exceptional cybersecurity programs and teams across multiple industries, to include Gaming/Entertainment, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

John serves as the CISO for JB Poindexter & Co. He leads the cybersecurity program and mission to protect the organization against cyber threats while supporting core business and operational objectives.
Panel Discussion

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