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This webinar is offered free of charge through collaboration between SANS and its sponsor(s). If you prefer not to share your registration details with sponsor(s), a recorded webinar will be available approximately 30 days after its initial release through the SANS archive. To access the recording, you will need to create a SANS account, but your information will not be shared with the sponsor(s).
Event Agenda
| TIME (EDT) | SESSION |
10:00 - 10:10 AM (10 Minutes) | SANS | Welcome & Opening Remarks Chairperson: Matt Bromiley, SANS Certified Instructor |
10:10 - 10:40 AM (30 minutes) | Speaker:Gerald Caron, VP of Cybersecurity, Riva Solutions Session Title: AI Everywhere, Trust Nowhere: The Zero Trust Imperative Abstract: The rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the federal landscape presents both unprecedented opportunities and novel security challenges. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure, decision-making processes, and citizen services, the traditional perimeter-based security model proves insufficient. This presentation will explore the imperative of adopting a Zero Trust architecture to effectively secure federal operations in this evolving AI-driven world. We will examine how the core principles of Zero Trust – assume breach, explicit verification, and least privilege – provide a robust framework for mitigating the unique risks introduced by AI, including sophisticated cyberattacks leveraging AI, data poisoning, and the potential for autonomous system compromise. By highlighting key considerations and practical strategies, this session aims to equip federal stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to implement Zero Trust principles and ensure the resilience and security of their AI-enabled environments. |
10:40 – 11:25 AM (45 Minutes) | Moderator: Ismael Valenzuela, SANS Senior Instructor Session Title: Zero Trust in an AI-Driven World Panel Discussion
Confirmed Panelists: Paloalto |
11:25 AM - 11:55 AM (30 minutes) | Speaker: Mike Hoffman, SANS Certified Instructor Session Title: Critical Infrastructure: Understanding the IT/OT Relationship Historically, Operational Technology (OT) has been treated as distinct from Information Technology (IT), which traditionally focused solely on business environments. However, with the rise of digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud adoption, and the growing presence of IT-like tools such as virtual servers, software-defined networking (SDN), SD-WAN, and virtual I/O, this distinction is rapidly fading from a technology standpoint. Today, most systems run on Windows, Linux, or variants thereof, requiring a new, integrated approach. IT and OT are no longer isolated; they are now joint stakeholders working toward a shared mission. Despite this integration, fundamental differences in how IT and OT operate remain and must be acknowledged. IT teams need to understand the constraints and priorities of operational environments, while OT teams must learn to manage and secure IT-based tools now embedded in industrial systems. The era of saying “OT is airgapped” is over. Both teams must collaborate to harness emerging technologies like AI and cloud in ways that drive business outcomes and efficiency, while simultaneously preserving operational resilience and safety. |
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM (10 minutes) | Break |
12:05 PM - 12:50 PM (45 minutes) | Moderator: Jason Christopher, SANS Certified Instructor Session Title: IT/OT Panel Discussion Confirmed Panelists: |
12:50 PM - 1:20 PM (30 - 40 minutes) | Speaker: Sounil Yu, Co-Founder and Chief AI Safety Officer, Knostic Session Title: Diseconomies of Scale: Rethinking Critical Infrastructure in the Age of AI For decades, critical infrastructure has relied on centralized systems designed for scale. But AI is enabling a shift toward intelligent, decentralized, and highly customized solutions—microgrids, autonomous care, adaptive logistics—that reduce dependence on monolithic systems. This talk explores how AI can enhance national resilience, lower infrastructure risk, and redefine what we consider “critical.” It’s a call to rethink our infrastructure strategy for an era where the economic driver towards scale may no longer be necessary. |
1:20 PM - 2:05 PM (45 minutes) | Moderator: Greg Scheidel, SANS Principal Instructor Session Title: GenAI in Cyber Defense Panel Discussion Confirmed Panelists: VMRAY and SOPHOS |
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM (10 minutes) | Break |
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM (30 minutes) | Sean Plankey, Global Leader, Cybersecurity Software, WTW Supply Chain (SBOMs, Secure-by-Design, Secure-by-Default) |
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM (45 minutes) | Moderator: Tony Turner, SANS Certified Instructor Candidate Session Title: Supply Chain Panel Discussion Confirmed Panelists: Reversing Labs and Interos.ai |
3:30 PM - 3:40 PM (10 minutes) | Chairperson: Matt Bromiley, SANS Certified Instructor Session Title: SANS Closing Remarks / Summary |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the SANS Government Security Forum?
A: The SANS Government Security Forum is a free, virtual event taking place on July 22, 2025, focused on the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by government agencies. Attendees will gain insights from government and industry leaders, explore case studies, and discover actionable strategies to strengthen cyber resilience across federal, state, and local agencies.
Q: Who should attend?
A: This event is designed for cybersecurity professionals working in or with government entities, including:
- Federal, state, and local government security teams
- Military and defense cybersecurity personnel
- Government contractors and integrators
- Policy makers and compliance officers
- Anyone interested in learning more about securing government systems and infrastructure, no matter your experience level.
Q: How many CPE credits can I earn?
A: You earn 1 CPE credit for every hour you attend live or watch the recordings. For example, a 120-minute session earns you 2 CPE credits. This is a great opportunity to advance your professional development while learning from industry leaders.
Q: Can I attend if I have a busy schedule?
A: Absolutely! Sessions are designed to be flexible, and recordings will be available after the event to those who are registered. You can attend live sessions whenever possible and catch up on the rest at your convenience.
Q: How do I ask questions during sessions?
A: During live sessions, you’ll have access to a Q&A chat feature where you can submit questions directly to the speakers.
Q: Is this event open to international government professionals?
A: Yes! While the forum focuses on U.S. government use cases and regulations, international government professionals are welcome to attend and may find many sessions relevant.
Q: Who do I contact if I have technical issues accessing the event?
A: You can contact our support team at support@sans.org for any technical difficulties before or during the event.
