Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Small Business for Cybersecurity Summit at the University of Florida two Fridays ago. The event brought together an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists from across the country, each sharing invaluable insights on cybersecurity to help strengthen the defenses of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as local and state governments. Their expertise, combined with the participation of a diverse group of attendees from across Florida, was instrumental in fostering discussions on the importance of secure supply chains and critical infrastructure in the face of evolving cyber threats.
The collective engagement, thoughtful contributions, and meaningful exchanges throughout the summit reflect our shared commitment to building resilient communities. These interactions not only highlighted key cybersecurity challenges but also paved the way for innovative solutions that can be implemented to better protect businesses and governments alike. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we build upon the connections and knowledge gained during the summit, transforming them into tangible actions that promote collaboration, inspire innovation, and ultimately enhance cybersecurity preparedness at every level.
A special thank you goes out to the Cyber Readiness Institute, Idaho National Laboratory, the Florida Department of Management Services, and the dedicated team at the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research. Their diligent planning, coordination, and logistical support were fundamental in making the summit a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this important work with all of you and hope to see you at future events as we strive together to safeguard our digital future.
Speakers:
Kevin Butler, Ph.D.
Director of Florida Institute of Cybersecurity Research, University of Florida
Moderator
Pedro Allende
Secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services
Panelist
Daniel Eliot
Lead for Small Business Engagement, Applied Cybersecurity Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce
Moderator
Eileen Vidrine
National Security Expert
Moderator
Read Hayes, Ph.D.
Director of Loss Prevention Research Council, University of Florida
Panelist
Robert Pate
Senior Cybersecurity Strategist, Idaho National Laboratory
Panelist
Kevin Chin
Director of Threat Specialist Management at Microsoft
Panelist
Patrick Traynor, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Florida
Panelist
Eleanor Taylor
Project Manager, Idaho National Laboratory
Panelist
Erik Sander
The Micheal Durham Executive Director, University of Florida Engineering Innovation Institute
Panelist
Mike Borowczak, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Central Florida
Panelist
Benjamin Lampe
CIE Researcher, Idaho National Laboratory
Panelist
Diana Burley, Ph.D.
Vice Provost, Research & Innovation – American University
Panelist
Farimah Farahmandi, Ph.D
Associate Director of Florida Institute of Cybersecurity Research, University of Florida
Panelist
Edward Rhyne
State of Florida Chief Data Officer
Panelist
Nathan Boyd, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Florida
Panelist
Sara Rampazzi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Florida
Panelist
Natalie Ebner, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Florida
Panelist
Warren Sponholtz
State of Florida CIO
Opening Keynote Speaker
David Bezzant
Vice President, T-Mobile for Government
Closing Keynote Speaker
Troy M. Bettencourt
Global Partner & Head of X-Force, IBM Consulting, Cybersecurity Services
Moderator
Karen S. Evans
Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute
Guest Speaker
Thank you to our sponsor – The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center at the Warrington College of Business.