RALEIGH – The North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH) is set to host its popular annual State of Technology Conference this Friday in Raleigh, centering around the theme of cybersecurity.

Through keynotes and panels, both local and national experts in the field will discuss cybersecurity challenges in business and how to manage them.

The conference also includes a pitch competition from six North Carolina-based tech startups, plus an exhibit space with sponsors.

Morning and afternoon keynotes will be delivered by Shamla Naidoo, managing partner of IBM Global Security Services, and John McCumber, director of cybersecurity advocacy at (ISC)². FBI Assistant Special Agent In Charge Timothy Stranahan will deliver a closing presentation.

The startup showcase features a series of five-minute pitches from select cybersecurity tech startups. Attendees will vote on the winning team, who will receive a prize of cash and in-kind services.

The participants, all based in North Carolina, are building cybersecurity services and products: Raleigh-based Adosia and JPS Inteoperability Solutions, Durham-based Deep Visual Insights and IdeaBlock, Morrisville’s JupiterOne and Winston-Salem’s Threat Sketch.

The panels address a range of topics covering security operations and threat management strategies—everything from building a security team, to dealing with the aftermath of a cyberattack, to how artificial intelligence is playing a role in the development of security solutions.

Here’s a snapshot of the breakout sessions:

  • How C-Suite leadership teams can prepare for cybersecurity threats, feaeturing Stuart Browy of TrialCard, Daniella Duxbury of Credit Suisse, Matt McKeever of LexisNexis, Terry Ziemniak of North Wonders and Dave Clement of Smith Anderson (moderator).
  • AI’s role in cybersecurity, with Chris Hazard of Diveplane, James LeMond of CenturyLink, Coleman Mehta of Palo Alto Networks, Kuldip Pabla of K4Connect and Bryan Harris of SAS (moderator).
  • Best-practices and readiness, featuring Bill Dupre of Railinc, Jeanette Fetzer of IBM, Chuck Kesler of Pendo, Ed Russell of Novant Health, Steve Ursillo of Cherry Bekaert and Patrick Barry of Rebyc Security (moderator).
  • Lessons learned from past cyberattacks, with Stephen McOwen of Fidelity Investments, Randall Lee Painter of CliftonLarsonAllen, Wyman Stocks of Credit Karma, Maria Thompson of the State of North Carolina and Steven Aiello of AHEAD (moderator).
  • Human-caused security vulnerabilities, featuring Chris Beal of MCNC, Marc Hoit of NC State University, Emily Larkin of Abrigo, Charles Marshall of Brooks Pierce and Marc Montoro of North State Technology Solutions (moderator).
  • Building a cybersecurity workforce, with Matt Donato of HuntSource, Mark Mahoney of Jackrabbit Technologies, Catherine Truitt of Western Governors University NC and Josh Wyatt of InfiniaML.

The conference, which is sponsored by IBM, will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Raleigh Convention Center, with a pre-conference social on May 9 at 5:30 p.m. NC TECH expects a turnout of over 600 professionals, mostly holding upper management or executive leadership positions.

Tickets are $200 for NC TECH members, or $300 for non-members.

https://wraltechwire.com/event/2019-state-of-technology-conference/