SecureWorld Kansas City 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. Applications and devices equipped with AI can see and identify objects, understand, and respond to human language, learn from new information and experience. AI-based applications (a classic example being a self-driving car) can make detailed recommendations to users and experts and act independently, replacing the need for human intelligence or intervention.

Recognizing the importance of technical standards in shaping development and use of AI, the U.S. President’s October 2023 Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (EO 14110) calls for “a coordinated effort… to drive the development and implementation of AI-related consensus standards, cooperation and coordination, and information sharing” internationally.

This PLUS Course focuses on how the development of AI capabilities, technologies, and tools impact cybersecurity. Instructor Larry Wilson breaks down the course into four digestible lessons:

Lesson 1: What Is Artificial Intelligence: Includes an overview of Artificial Intelligence, how AI is used today (case studies), the current / future state of international AI standards.

Lesson 2: AI Security Threats: How threat actors are using AI to automate stages of the attack lifecycle, including reconnaissance, evasion, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and exploitation.

Lesson 3: AI Security Standards: (1) Secure Design – risks and threat modelling; (2) Secure Development – supply chain security, documentation, asset and technical debt management; (3) Secure Deployment – protecting infrastructure from compromise, threat or loss, incident management, and responsible release; and (4) Secure Operation and Maintenance – logging and monitoring, update management and information sharing.

Lesson 4: AI Risk Management Playbook: (1) Govern – policies, processes, procedures and practices across the organization related to the mapping, measuring and managing of AI risks are in place, transparent, and implemented effectively; (2) Map – context is measured and understood; (3) Measure – appropriate methods and metrics are identified and applied; (4) Manage – AI risks based on assessments and other analytical output from the Map and Measure functions are prioritized, responded to, and managed; (5) Roadmap – key activities for advancing the NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework.

Upon completion of the class, attendees will have an up-to-date understanding of AI and its impact on cybersecurity. They will learn what actions organizations should take to benefit from the many advancements available with adopting AI into their security design, development, deployment, operations, and maintenance.

STUDENT TESTIMONIAL:
“Mr. Wilson presented an incredibly complex, emerging topic that includes significant risks in such a way that it left me convinced GenAI is just another piece of software. He walked us through defining the technical components, understanding the risks of and threats to these systems, and the security controls to help mitigate them. He wrapped the class by outlining how we may want to develop a program for managing the risks associated with AI, and did it with a wealth of practical knowledge, relatable personal anecdotes, and a ton of thoughtful research. Best class of SecureWorld Boston 2025!”
— Andrew F. Powell Jr., Information Security Director, Williams College

Have you ever wondered how to actually use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and apply it to your business or organization?

In this course, you will get an inside look at how cybersecurity, information technology (IT), and business professionals use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Version 2.0 to understand and actively manage their risk posture.

You will begin by learning the fundamentals of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, including:

• What are the components of the framework?

• Why is the framework is valuable?

• What type of organizations can use the framework?
  

Then, you will dive deeper into the framework to fully understand the Framework Core, the Framework Tiers, and the Framework Implementation Profile.

You will also review various case studies from diverse organizations across the globe, including critical infrastructure organizations, technology companies, governmental organizations, and others.

Finally, we will spend the majority of this course walking you through how to implement this framework within your own organization by conducting a Cyber Risk Mapping (CR-MAP). This CR-MAP of your organization will aid you in identifying your weaknesses and creating a remediation plan to achieve higher levels of security by minimizing your cyber risk.

We even include a free bonus digital workbook that helps you conduct a step-by-step Cyber Risk Mapping at the conclusion of the course.

You’ve landed the coveted Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role—now what? The cornerstone of every CISO’s success is crafting a security strategy that aligns with their organization’s unique needs. But where do you begin?

Join seasoned CISOs Yaron Levi and Neil Watkins in an intensive, hands-on workshop designed to equip you with the tools and frameworks to build a cybersecurity strategy that works for your organization.

In this interactive session, you will:

• Define your organization’s risk appetite.
• Identify the controls and capabilities needed for robust cybersecurity.
• Develop a purpose-driven strategy with clear principles and priorities.

By the end of the day, you will have created an actionable cybersecurity strategy tailored to your organization. You will also present your strategy for expert feedback and collaborate with peers to refine your approach.

This workshop is designed for acting CISOs or experienced security practitioners who aspire to lead at the highest level.

Agenda:

• 9:00–10:00 AM: Strategy Fundamentals—Insights from the Experts
• 10:00–12:00 PM: Group Work—Building Your Strategy
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00-3:00 PM: Strategy Presentations, Feedback, and Winner Announcement

Seats are limited—Reserve your spot now!
With only 20 participants (5 groups of 4), this workshop offers personalized attention and invaluable insights from experts. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your career and strengthen your organization’s security posture.

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.

Your opportunity to visit our solution vendor partners, whose sponsorship makes SecureWorld possible! Booths have staff ready to answer your questions. Look for participating Dash For Prizes sponsors to be entered to win prizes.

Moderated discussion for SecureWorld Advisory Council members. By invite only.

Participating professional associations and details to be announced.

Measuring one’s cybersecurity framework against others in the same industry, or even outside of their vertical, can provide valuable insights into areas to improve or adjust.

Visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.

Visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.

As AI continues to revolutionize the business landscape, organizations face the critical challenge of harnessing its potential while mitigating associated risks. This panel session brings together experts from varying industries to explore the intricacies of developing comprehensive AI strategies and governance policies.

Our presenter(s) will delve into:

• The current state of AI adoption across various industries and its impact on cybersecurity
• Key components of an effective AI strategy, including alignment with business objectives and ethical considerations
• Designing governance frameworks that ensure responsible AI use while fostering innovation
• Addressing AI-specific risks, including bias, privacy concerns, and potential security vulnerabilities
• Regulatory landscape and compliance requirements for AI implementation
• Best practices for data management and protection in AI-driven environments
• Ethical considerations in AI development and deployment
• Strategies for building AI literacy within organizations
• Future trends and preparing for the evolving AI landscape

Gain valuable insights into creating balanced, forward-thinking AI strategies that maximize benefits while maintaining robust security and ethical standards. The session provides practical guidance on navigating the complex intersection of AI, business objectives, and regulatory requirements.

We need your help. Security experts with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are working to secure our nation’s cybersecurity, but we can’t do it alone. We need YOU to help us educate others, and we need everyone to take steps to help make themselves more secure online. That’s the purpose of the Secure Our World program. Secure Our World provides no-cost ways for individuals, businesses, and organizations to take the steps needed to reduce our collective cyber risk. Together we can secure America and secure our world.

Hear directly how someone who has spent years reviewing and prioritizing bug bounty program submissions approaches the task. In this talk, discover how to craft reports that stand out, ensuring your findings are presented for maximum impact and value. Discover the most common pitfalls to avoid, tips on how to structure your reports for clarity and precision, and hear highlights of the key elements triagers focus on to determine the severity and validity of vulnerabilities.

Tabletops are not new in incident response training. But oftentimes, they’re pretty dull or ridden with anxiety. But, what if we applied gamification and game-based learning techniques? By transforming tabletop exercises into interactive, engaging scenarios, with Dungeons & Dragons-style play, we can make them more memorable and effective!

This approach allows participants to practice critical skills, with a structure that encourages more balanced team involvement and participation, and dice-rolling to determine success and failure (that does a remarkable job in simulating a real-world experience). Enter HackBack Gaming! Why not build incident response “muscle” memory in a fun way? This session provides a foundation for you to start conducting exercises like this yourself right away.

Visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.

Session description to come.

In today’s interconnected digital ecosystem, the security of any product is only as strong as its weakest link. This panel session explores the critical role of trusted partnerships in developing and maintaining secure products throughout their lifecycle.

Our distinguished panel delves into the challenges and opportunities of fostering collaborative relationships between vendors, suppliers, and customers to enhance product security. They examine how these partnerships can lead to more robust security measures, improved threat intelligence sharing, and faster response times to emerging vulnerabilities. Key topics include:

• Establishing trust in the supply chain
• Collaborative approaches to secure software development
• The role of transparency in building and maintaining trust
• Balancing intellectual property concerns with security needs
• Leveraging partnerships for more effective incident response
• Case studies of successful security-focused partnerships

You’ve experienced a cyber incident. Does cyber insurance really pay? What’s actually a recoverable expense? How can insurance help? And when the insurance does pay, how do you balance the amount of insurance with cybersecurity priorities? In this session, we’ll evaluate the data and dig into recent real-world examples of how cyber insurance pays claims, what’s covered, the role of insurance in incident preparation and response, and how organizations are using analytics in decision-making.

Today’s professionals face challenges reminiscent of classic fairy tales: shadowy villains, unexpected allies, and battles for safety and survival. This panel will delve into the current threat landscape, from ransomware dragons to insider trolls. It will offer insights into the strategies and tools organizations need to craft their own happily ever after in cybersecurity.

Moderated discussion for SecureWorld Advisory Council members. By invite only.

Visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.

Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the U.S. economy, generating over half of the annual GDP and employing millions of Americans. But they also face unique cybersecurity challenges that can threaten their survival and growth. In this talk, learn how to assess and mitigate the cyber risks that SMBs face, and how to implement a robust cybersecurity program with limited resources and expertise.

We cover the following topics:

• The state of SMB cybersecurity in the U.S.
• The cost and impact of cyber breaches on SMBs
• The main cyber threats and vulnerabilities that SMBs face
• The best practices and frameworks for SMB cybersecurity
• The steps to build or improve your cybersecurity program

Whether you are an IT manager, a cybersecurity professional, or a business owner, this talk is informative and practical. Walk away with a better understanding of the cyber landscape and the tools and techniques to protect your SMB from cyberattacks.

Session description to come.

This presentation will cover accelerating skill development and cross-department collaboration efficiently and economically. Key takeaway: How to build a cyber guild and utilize it for expanded upskilling and role development.

AI can be both a powerful ally and a mischievous force if left unchecked. This panel will explore how organizations can harness the magic of AI for cybersecurity—automating defenses, detecting threats, and enhancing decision-making—while addressing the risks of bias, over-reliance, and adversarial AI. Use this transformative technology wisely to write your cybersecurity success story.

Visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with attendees and connect with our vendor sponsors and association partners.

Even if you don’t have a best practice cybersecurity framework in place, you must have a best practice security incident response plan in place. The plan sets the tone at the top, it highlight framework gaps, and it utilizes tools such as training and table top exercises to help focus on priorities. It is whistleblowing without blowing the whistle.

A best practice cybersecurity incident response plan must be founded in recognized and accepted industry standards. Standards such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) 800–61R3 for incident response and the NIST 800–53 for cybersecurity best practice controls must be referenced. These two key NIST documents highlight the critical components required to build an institution’s best cybersecurity framework.

In the timeless legend of King Arthur, the Sword in the Stone was more than just a mystical object—it symbolized destiny, potential, and the rightful passage of leadership. Just as Arthur was chosen for his unique qualities, today’s cybersecurity landscape demands an approach that identifies and nurtures emerging talent, ensuring that the next generation of cyber guardians is ready to lead with resilience and innovation.

This title parallels the magical act of drawing the sword and the strategic process of workforce talent pipeline development and training in cybersecurity. It emphasizes the following key ideas:

• Identifying the Right Talent
• Accelerated Skill Development
• Diverse Cyber Roles and Specializations
• Nurturing Emerging Leaders
• Ensuring Continuity and Resilience
• Empowering Through Transformation

“The Sword in the Stone of Succession Planning in Cyber” encapsulates the magic and imperative of strategic talent development across the full spectrum of cybersecurity roles. It serves as a call to action for organizations to invest in their most valuable asset—their people—ensuring that they are equipped, empowered, and ready to defend the digital realm now and in the future.

Phishing is one of the leading cyberattacks worldwide, resulting in numerous social engineering training exercises to train average users to defend against these attacks. This discussion focuses on research that took a pool of users with three different phishing campaigns. Each campaign progressively has a phish that should be more advanced to spot than the previous phish presented. The research shows the psychological reasoning behind why a user will interact with a phish, regardless of educational awareness. Results include why a 0% or 100% report rate is unrealistic and how to use phishing metrics to quantify risk in a business.

In today’s dynamic cyber risk landscape, risk managers must stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly. Recent global cyber events have had a profound impact on critical functions across multiple sectors, underscoring the gravity of cyber events. Risk managers also face complexities from trends like reliance on third parties and evolving data protection laws.

To successfully navigate these challenges, risk managers are tasked with learning from significant cyber events, implementing best practices for managing third-party cyber risk, and staying updated on privacy regulations. This session assists risk managers in effectively mitigating cyber risks and safeguarding their organizations by discussing strategies for managing third-party cyber risk and providing updates on privacy regulations.

Visit the solution sponsor booths in the Exhibitor Hall and connect with other attendees.

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

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.