GIST Roadshow 2025 Tampa - Agenda
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Agenda

Times are subject to change.

8:00 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Registration & Breakfast

1 hour

Kickstart the day with a delicious breakfast, connect with fellow participants and prepare for the day’s discussions.

Kickstart the day with a delicious breakfast, connect with fellow participants and prepare for the day’s discussions.

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9:00 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Opening & Welcome Address

5 minutes
9:05 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Panel

Integrating and Securing Operational Technology (OT)

50 minutes
ON DEMAND

As the digital landscape evolves, the integration and security of operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems have become critical for government agencies. With the increasing connectivity of devices and systems, ensuring that OT and IoT solutions are seamlessly integrated and secure is essential to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining operational continuity. However, achieving robust OT and IoT security within government environments presents unique challenges, including legacy systems, evolving threats, and regulatory compliance. This session will explore the critical importance of integrating and securing operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) in today's digital landscape. Our panel will provide practical guidance and real-world examples of successful OT integration and security measures within government environments.

As the digital landscape evolves, the integration and security of operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems have become critical for government agencies. With the increasing connectivity of devices and systems, ensuring that OT and IoT solutions are seamlessly integrated and secure is essential to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining operational continuity. However, achieving robust OT and IoT security within government environments presents unique challenges, including legacy systems, evolving threats, and regulatory compliance. This session will explore the critical importance of integrating and securing operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) in today's digital landscape. Our panel will provide practical guidance and real-world examples of successful OT integration and security measures within government environments.

Daryl Haegley
Daryl Haegley
Technical Director, Control Systems Cyber Resiliency
U.S. Department of the Air Force
Carlos Buenano
Carlos Buenano
Chief Technology Officer of OT
Armis
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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9:55 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Panel

Optimizing and Securing IT for Mission Advantage

50 minutes
ON DEMAND

Organizations today face the dual challenge of securing their IT environments while driving innovation and operational excellence. This panel will bring together government and industry leaders to delve into strategies for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and workforce upskilling to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge. They will examine how to balance robust cybersecurity measures with the agility and innovation needed to maximize the impact of technology investments. Discussions will spotlight the integration of emerging technologies, solutions to close workforce skill gaps, and approaches to fostering a culture that prioritizes both security and innovation.

Organizations today face the dual challenge of securing their IT environments while driving innovation and operational excellence. This panel will bring together government and industry leaders to delve into strategies for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and workforce upskilling to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge. They will examine how to balance robust cybersecurity measures with the agility and innovation needed to maximize the impact of technology investments. Discussions will spotlight the integration of emerging technologies, solutions to close workforce skill gaps, and approaches to fostering a culture that prioritizes both security and innovation.

Xavier Myers
Xavier Myers
J64 User Support Division Chief
USSOCOM
Lt Col Nick Tverdosi
Lt Col Nick Tverdosi
Assistant Chief of Staff, G6
Marine Corps Forces, Central Command
Sean Applegate
Sean Applegate
CTO
Swish
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10:45 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Networking

Networking Break

20 minutes

An opportunity to enjoy refreshments while engaging with peers, exchanging insights, and discussing key takeaways from the main stage conversations.

An opportunity to enjoy refreshments while engaging with peers, exchanging insights, and discussing key takeaways from the main stage conversations.

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11:05 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Panel

Accelerating Innovation with Engineering Excellence

50 minutes
ON DEMAND

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and increasing demands for efficiency, organizations across sectors are turning to engineering excellence as a critical driver of innovation. By leveraging modern methodologies, robust technical leadership, and collaborative platforms, government agencies are unlocking new capabilities to address complex challenges and meet mission objectives. In this conversation, public sector leaders will discuss how engineering excellence can drive innovation at an accelerated pace. Our panel will discuss best practices and examples that highlight the role CTOs, Software Factories, Platform Teams, and continuous improvement cultures have on government innovation.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and increasing demands for efficiency, organizations across sectors are turning to engineering excellence as a critical driver of innovation. By leveraging modern methodologies, robust technical leadership, and collaborative platforms, government agencies are unlocking new capabilities to address complex challenges and meet mission objectives. In this conversation, public sector leaders will discuss how engineering excellence can drive innovation at an accelerated pace. Our panel will discuss best practices and examples that highlight the role CTOs, Software Factories, Platform Teams, and continuous improvement cultures have on government innovation.

Leslie Babich
Leslie Babich
Director
SOFWERX
Daniel Carroll
Daniel Carroll
Division Chief
AFWERX Ventures
Marlin McFate
Marlin McFate
Federal CTO & CISO
Cohesity
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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11:55 AM EST Wednesday, February 26

Panel

Building Resiliency with Intelligent Disaster Recovery Solutions

40 minutes
ON DEMAND

In today’s era of increasing cyber threats, natural disasters, and operational challenges, government agencies must prioritize resilience and ensure rapid recovery from disruptions. Intelligent data management and disaster recovery (DR) solutions are critical for safeguarding sensitive information, maintaining public trust, and ensuring mission continuity. This panel will explore how well-designed storage and backup systems enable organizations to optimize recovery processes, protect against data loss, and reduce operational risk. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for implementing robust DR strategies, achieving compliance, and building a foundation for resilient operations.

In today’s era of increasing cyber threats, natural disasters, and operational challenges, government agencies must prioritize resilience and ensure rapid recovery from disruptions. Intelligent data management and disaster recovery (DR) solutions are critical for safeguarding sensitive information, maintaining public trust, and ensuring mission continuity. This panel will explore how well-designed storage and backup systems enable organizations to optimize recovery processes, protect against data loss, and reduce operational risk. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for implementing robust DR strategies, achieving compliance, and building a foundation for resilient operations.

Jonathan Mayne
Jonathan Mayne
Senior Systems Engineer
ExaGrid
Sean Applegate
Sean Applegate
CTO
Swish
Joe Bailey
Joe Bailey
Sr. Solutions Architect
SwishData
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12:35 PM EST Wednesday, February 26

Lunch

Lunch

1 hour

Enjoy a meal while networking and discussing key insights from the morning sessions.

Enjoy a meal while networking and discussing key insights from the morning sessions.

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1:35 PM EST Wednesday, February 26

Panel

Creating Asymmetric Advantages with AI from the Edge to the Enterprise

50 minutes
ON DEMAND

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way government agencies operate, unlocking unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and strategic advantage. From real-time insights at the edge to enterprise-wide solutions, AI technologies like predictive analytics, generative AI, and intelligent agents are enhancing agency capabilities. However, adopting these innovations requires a secure and trustworthy approach, with challenges around integration, scalability, and ensuring data privacy and ethical standards. In this panel, leaders will explore how AI can be strategically deployed across the edge and enterprise, creating unique advantages while ensuring robust security and trust. Panelists will unpack the opportunities and challenges of leveraging AI capabilities like predictive analytics, generative AI, and intelligent agents, while maintaining the highest standards of security and accountability to augment agency operations and drive innovation.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way government agencies operate, unlocking unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and strategic advantage. From real-time insights at the edge to enterprise-wide solutions, AI technologies like predictive analytics, generative AI, and intelligent agents are enhancing agency capabilities. However, adopting these innovations requires a secure and trustworthy approach, with challenges around integration, scalability, and ensuring data privacy and ethical standards. In this panel, leaders will explore how AI can be strategically deployed across the edge and enterprise, creating unique advantages while ensuring robust security and trust. Panelists will unpack the opportunities and challenges of leveraging AI capabilities like predictive analytics, generative AI, and intelligent agents, while maintaining the highest standards of security and accountability to augment agency operations and drive innovation.

Daniel Leventry
Daniel Leventry
Deputy Chief Data Officer
U.S. Central Command
Col. Kyle Yates
Col. Kyle Yates
Commander, Joint Communications Support Element
USTRANSCOM
Elad Shulman
Elad Shulman
CEO & Co-Founder
Lasso Security
Daniela Fayer
Daniela Fayer
SVP & Group Publisher, Defense
GovExec
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2:25 PM EST Wednesday, February 26

Keynote

Nations Leading the Way: Balancing GenAI Technologies and Security

30 minutes

As nations adopt Generative AI to transform government operations, they must navigate the
delicate balance between innovation and security. Mr. Naftali Bennett, the former Prime Minister of Israel, will explore strategies for protecting sensitive data, enforcing dynamic access controls, detecting threats in real-time, and meeting regulatory standards. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how leading governments are building secure, resilient AI-powered systems to enhance operations while safeguarding critical national interests.

As nations adopt Generative AI to transform government operations, they must navigate the
delicate balance between innovation and security. Mr. Naftali Bennett, the former Prime Minister of Israel, will explore strategies for protecting sensitive data, enforcing dynamic access controls, detecting threats in real-time, and meeting regulatory standards. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how leading governments are building secure, resilient AI-powered systems to enhance operations while safeguarding critical national interests.

Naftali Bennett
Naftali Bennett
Former Prime Minister, Israel
Lasso Board Member
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2:55 PM EST Wednesday, February 26

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