We are introducing a ranking system designed to classify presentations and activities by their technical depth, catering to varying levels of expertise. No matter if you're a cybersecurity newbie or a seasoned pro, there's something here for everyone!
Kick-off presentation
Oct. 3, 2024: 10 - 11 a.m.
Ralph Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer - WaTech
Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, is an annual campaign held every October to educate individuals and organizations about the importance of online safety. Over the years, it has evolved to address modern cyber threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware...read more
WaTech's journey towards Zero Trust
Oct. 7, 2024: 11 a.m. - Noon
Mikel B. Costello, Strategic Planning and Design Manager - WaTech
Daniel Langley, Network Security Architect - WaTech
Andrew Johnson, Solutions Architect - WaTech
Want something to withstand the test of time? You need a solid foundation, a plan to guide the build process, and a willingness to see the plan through...read more
AI for the rest of us
Oct. 7, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Phaedra Boinodiris, Global leader for Trustworthy AI - IBM
AI is a way for us to understand and grasp knowledge, information and put data into context. It is being used globally to make all kinds of decisions that directly impact our lives and yet most understand very little about it. We start with the definition that data is an artifact of human experience. We need the widest variance of humans, irrespective of your role and skillset, developing AI so that everyone's story is a part of the models we are building. Join IBM’s own Phaedra Boinodiris as she illustrates what she has learned in the space of AI ethics and governance, along with stories and examples of AI's and Gen AI's impact in industry and government...read more
Kids privacy and data protection
Oct. 8, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Katy Ruckle, State Chief Privacy Officer - WaTech
Join us for a presentation from Katy Ruckle, the State’s Chief Privacy Officer, on the current landscape of legislation to increase safety for kids online and other practical tips on children’s data protection. This presentation will dive into the latest developments on the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSPA) and some of the first amendment challenges regarding legislation on age-appropriate design code...read more
Robbing a bank over the phone - How an expert social engineer can convince you to do anything
Oct. 9, 2024: 12 - 1 p.m.
Joshua Crumbaugh, CEO - PhishFirewall
In this keynote, Joshua Crumbaugh brings the audience along for the ride on one of the most advanced social engineering attacks he's ever executed - robbing a bank over the phone...read more
Cyber ghost stories and other things that keep us awake at night
Oct. 9, 2024: 1 - 2 p.m.
Ian Moore, Cybersecurity State Coordinator of Washington - CISA
“Cyber-attacks are what nightmares are made of, at least for security professionals and executives. We lose sleep worrying about our employees clicking on links or attachments and our network becoming infected. We do whatever our budget can handle and we perform tasks for the level of skill and understanding that we have. No organization is perfect, regardless of their budget and skillset...read more
TL;DR on top-Level domains and phishing
Oct. 10, 2024: 1 - 2 p.m.
Alexander Salazar Jr, Cybersecurity Advisor
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in King County and Seattle (Region 10)
Join Alex Salazar, Cybersecurity Advisor with CISA, as he discusses what Top-Level Domains are and how to spot scam and phishing pages...read more
Panel on AI Executive Order 24.01
Oct. 14, 2024: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Katy Ruckle, State Chief Privacy Officer - WaTech
Nick Stowe, State Chief Technology Officer -WaTech
Tavares Terry, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Director - WaTech
Joe Wilcox, Career Pathways Manager - Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board
This panel will dive into Governor Inslee’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence...read more
Home Office: Keep the Cyber Gremlins Out!
Oct. 15, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Iain Sloan IT Operations and Security Manage - Washington State Liquor and Cannabis board
In this presentation, we'll explore common cyber threats and how to protect yourself by securing your home network, ensuring your devices are safe, and practicing smart habits online. We'll cover secure file sharing, recognizing and reporting security incidents, and the best practices for remote working to keep you safe in today's digital world. Along the way, we'll provide useful resources and tools to help you stay protected...read more
Responding to the unseen: Mastering incident response
Oct. 15, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Sam Anderson, Chief Information Security Officer - Secretary of the State
Join us for an engaging presentation which details an incident involving a threat actor targeting the OSOS (Office of the Secretary of State) and ISR (Incident Security Response) systems. The malicious activity compromised certain operational aspects, creating significant risks to the integrity of election processes....read more
The importance of an Enterprise IT Security Strategic Plan
Oct. 16, 2024: 11 a.m. - Noon
Niles Friedman, Executive Advisor - Star Insights
Ralph Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer - WaTech
Kim Hort, Deputy CISO Policy & Program Management -WaTech
Ralph Hogaboom, IT Security -Washington Department of Natural Resources
James McMurphy Chief Information Security Officer -Health Care Authority in Washington
Cloud Range - Anatomy of Attack - Ransomware (Part 1)
Oct. 16, 2024: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Jake Tavares Attackmaster at Cloud Range - CISSP
Join us for an engaging "Anatomy of an Attack" discussion where we'll dive into the world of ransomware! You'll learn the ins and outs of ransomware, from how it sneaks into your system and locks up your precious data, to the reasons people end up paying the ransom. We'll cover its shady history, the current threats lurking out there, and, most importantly, how to protect yourself...read more
NCSR - A quick guide through the maturity levels
Oct. 17, 2024: 11 a.m. - Noon
Cory Williams, Compliance & Risk Assessment Analyst - WaTech
In this introductory course on the NCSR maturity levels, we’ll explore the stages of cybersecurity maturity through a fun and relatable analogy: building a cake. Starting with basic ingredients to more complex layers, we'll break down each maturity level and how it represents the development of a stronger cybersecurity framework...read more
10 ways to protect your home network
Oct. 22, 2024: 11 a.m. - Noon
Randy Holt, Risk Assessment Supervisor - Washington State Department of Health
In today’s world, a single household might have an extensive range of wireless devices from computers and smartphones to TVs and smart appliances. Being connected is great, but it’s vital to protect your network. You can have your private information stolen if someone accesses your WIFI. Hackers can even perform illegal activities through your connection, leaving you responsible...read more
Cloud Range - Anatomy of Attack - Ransomware (Part 2)
Oct. 22, 2024: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Jake Tavares, Attackmaster at Cloud Range - CISSP
Get ready for a highly technical "Anatomy of an Attack" session, where we'll take a deep dive into the world of ransomware threat actors and their tactics. We'll explore the importance of information-sharing organizations and how to stay updated on the latest ransomware trends. You'll also witness a ransomware attack in action on the cyber range, dissecting every step of the attack, the indicators of compromise, and how a Security Operations Center (SOC) team might respond...read more
Digital danger zone: Unmasking ransomware and malware threats
Oct. 23, 2024: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Carlos De Leon, IT Security-Senior Manager - Department of Revenue
"Digital Danger Zone: Unmasking Ransomware and Malware Threats" is a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats facing organizations and individuals in today's interconnected world...read more
CIS controls
Oct. 23, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Brian Ventura, Certified Instructor - SANS Institute
Information Security is a core requirement for any organization today. Building a comprehensive and robust program is challenging. There are many competing recommendations and requirements. Vendors have numerous products to solve all problems, yet organizations are having incidents and breaches. Damages are significant. We regularly talk about risk and risk-focused security, however, argue over which risk or how much risk...read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Security - Adversarial AI, Defensive AI, and the Security of AI
Oct. 24, 2024: 1 - 2 p.m.
Srinivas Tummalapenta, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor, CTO - IBM Security Services
Join us for a discussion on the evolving risk landscape and how organizations can adapt their security strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll explore both the role of AI in security and security for AI, including what is currently possible, what is on the horizon, and how it is expected to impact the future of AI deployment and usage...read more
Streamlining Compliance
Oct. 28, 2024: 11:00 a.m. - Noon
Kim Hort, Deputy CISO Policy & Program Management - WaTech
Samantha Zee, Enterprise Technology Policy Manager - WaTech
Dwayne Thomas, Security Design Review Supervisorr - WaTech
In this session, we will explore how to effectively streamline compliance by navigating the complexities of IT Policy, Security Design Review (SDR), and the Waiver Process Workflow.
Social media best practices - National Cybersecurity Alliance
Oct. 28, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Jennifer Cook, Senior Director of Marketing - National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA)
As social media becomes increasingly integral to personal and professional communication, understanding the associated risks is critical. We will explore strategies for protecting sensitive information and managing privacy settings effectively.
Cybersecurity and accessibility
Oct. 29, 2024: 11 a.m. - noon.
Mary Craig, IT Systems Admin - Department of Services for the Blind
This presentation explores the intersection of cybersecurity and accessibility, highlighting how to create secure digital environments that are inclusive for all users. Learn how to safeguard sensitive information while ensuring online safety practices are accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring no one is left vulnerable in today's connected world...read more
Securing the future - Integrating cybersecurity in cloud and hybrid environments
Oct. 30, 2024: 11 a.m. - Noon
Senthil Masilamani, Chief Information Security Officer - Washington State Department of Ecology
This presentation focuses on the challenges and strategies of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures across a diverse range of technologies, including cloud and hybrid environments, which are becoming increasingly common in today's IT landscape...read more
Byte-sized barriers - Turning tech woes into wins
Oct. 30, 2024: Noon - 1 p.m.
Jen Smith, Compliance and Risk Assessment Analyst -WaTech
Join us for an engaging and practical cybersecurity awareness presentation, where we explore how to effectively "meet the audience where they are." We'll highlight the successes of our program in breaking down complex security concepts and adapting to diverse audiences, from the tech-savvy to the non-technical...read more
Closing remarks
Oct. 31, 2024: 1 - 1:30 p.m.
Ralph Johnson Chief Information Security Officer - WaTech
Throughout the month, we've been inspired by informative presentations and engaging events that armed us with the tools and knowledge to stay safe online. Join Ralph Johnson as he walks us through the key takeaways, memorable moments, and important lessons that will help us continue our cybersecurity journey...read more
