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2025 SANS Government Security Forum Agenda
Tuesday, July 22 | Free & Virtual | Earn CPE Credits
10:00 – 10:10 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Matt Bromiley, SANS Certified Instructor
Kick off the day with opening insights and an overview of the challenges shaping the current public sector cyber threat landscape.
10:10 – 10:40 AM
Keynote: Zero Trust in an AI-Driven World
Gerald Caron, VP of Cybersecurity, Riva Solutions; Board Member, ATARC; Former CIO, HHS
Explore how AI is reshaping Zero Trust strategies across government and why the human element remains more critical than ever.
10:40 – 11:25 AM
Expert Panel: Operationalizing Zero Trust
Moderated by Ismael Valenzuela, SANS Senior Instructor
Join seasoned federal and defense leaders as they share practical steps, real-world wins, and hard-learned lessons in implementing Zero Trust frameworks.
11:25 – 11:55 AM
Critical Infrastructure: Understanding the IT/OT Relationship
Mike Hoffman, SANS Certified Instructor
As IT and OT converge, so do their risks. This session outlines how public sector teams can bridge knowledge gaps and secure industrial systems in the AI and cloud era.
11:55 AM – 12:05 PM
Break
12:05 – 12:50 PM
Expert Panel: Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure in Hybrid Environments
Moderated by Jason Christopher, SANS Certified Instructor
Industry and government experts discuss how to protect operational resilience as industrial systems evolve and integrate with traditional IT.
12:50 – 1:20 PM
Featured Session: GenAI in Cyber Defense (Pre-Recorded)
Sounil Yu, Co-Founder and Chief AI Safety Officer, Knostic
Discover how AI is decentralizing traditional infrastructure and redefining national resilience in a new age of smart systems.
1:20 – 2:05 PM
Expert Panel: GenAI’s Role in Public Sector Defense
Moderated by Greg Scheidel, SANS Principal Instructor
Leaders in AI and cybersecurity explore emerging use cases, ethical concerns, and implementation challenges in government and defense applications.
2:05 – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 – 2:45 PM
Securing the Supply Chain: SBOMs, Secure-by-Design & More
Sean Plankey, Global Leader, Cybersecurity Software, WTW
Learn why today’s supply chain strategies must go beyond compliance and embrace a proactive, secure-by-default mindset.
2:45 – 3:30 PM
Expert Panel: Supply Chain Risk Management in 2025
Moderated by Tony Turner, SANS Certified Instructor Candidate
Panelists share insights on building visibility, trust, and resilience into every layer of your government supply chain.
3:30 – 3:40 PM
Closing Remarks
Matt Bromiley, SANS Certified Instructor
Wrap up the day with key takeaways, lessons learned, and final thoughts on what’s next for securing government systems.
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.