Morning Sessions:

09:00 am – 9:30 am

Welcome and Opening Keynote – Building a Stronger Tomorrow: Cyber Resilience for Small Businesses in the Digital Age

Malachowsky Hall | Room 7200   

Warren Sponholtz, Chief Information Officer, State of Florida

9:30 am – 10:30 am

Panel 1:  Fortifying the Supply Chain: Cybersecurity Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Malachowsky Hall | Room 7200

Moderator:  Daniel Eliot, Lead for Small Business Engagement, Applied Cybersecurity Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce

Panelist: Farihmah Farahmandi, Associate Director of Florida Institute of Cybersecurity Research, University of Florida; Edward Rhyne, State of Florida Chief Data Officer

The panel discussion will focus on the critical challenges and vulnerabilities that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face within their supply chains against cyber threats. Panelists will explore practical steps SMBs can take to mitigate risks, from implementing vendor risk assessments to leveraging cybersecurity frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Supporting research from the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity (FICS) Research and Idaho National Laboratory how SMBs can adopt scalable, cost-effective strategies to safeguard their supply chains without overwhelming their resources.

Break: 10:30 am to 10:45 am

 10:45 am – 11:30 am

Panel 2:  Navigating the Future: Emerging Technology Threats Facing SMBs

Malachowsky Hall | Room 7200

Moderator: Eileen Vidrine, National Security Expert

Panelist: Sara Rampazzi, Assistant Professor, University of Florida; Patrick Traynor, Professor, University of Florida; Mike Borowsczak, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida; Natalie Ebner, Professor, University of Florida

The panel will address the evolving landscape of technology and the new risks it presents for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As AI and other advanced technologies become more integrated into business operations, they also introduce new vulnerabilities, from sophisticated AI-driven cyberattacks to the challenges of managing increasingly complex digital infrastructures. The discussion will highlight the specific threats SMBs face, such as deepfake fraud and AI-powered phishing schemes and provide insights into how businesses can stay ahead of these emerging risks through proactive cybersecurity measures and ongoing education.

Lunch Session:

Lunch will be served at 11:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Malachowsky Hall | Room 1030

      12:00 pm – 01:00 pm

Lunch panel: Securing Florida’s Backbone: Critical Infrastructure Protection for SMBs 

Malachowsky Hall | Room 1000

Moderator: Kevin Butler, Director of Florida Institute of Cybersecurity Research, University of Florida

Panelists:  Pedro Allende, Secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services; Karen S. Evans, Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute; Robert Pate, Senior Cybersecurity Strategist, Idaho National Laboratory

The lunchtime panel will address the vital role small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play in Florida’s critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, transportation, and water management. Given the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters and cyber threats, this discussion will explore how SMBs can bolster their resilience and protect their operations from disruptions that could have far-reaching impacts on the broader community. Panelists will discuss strategies for SMBs to safeguard their infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with state and federal agencies, as well as the adoption of industry best practices to ensure the continuity and security of essential services in Florida.

Afternoon Sessions:

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Panel 3:  Sector-Specific Cybersecurity: Addressing Threats with Research-Driven Solutions

Malachowsky Hall | Room 1000

Moderator: Troy Bettencourt, Global Partner & Head of X-Force, IBM Consulting, Cybersecurity Services

Panelist: Read Hayes, Director of Loss Prevention Research Council, University of Florida; Nathan Boyd, Professor, University of Florida; Kevin Chin, Director of Threat Specialist Management at Microsoft; Benjamin Lampe, CIE Researcher, Idaho National Laboratory

The panel will focus on the cybersecurity challenges faced by specific sectors such as the retail and agriculture sectors.  Research indicates the retail sector is particularly vulnerable to data breaches and ransomware attacks, while the agriculture industry faces growing threats to critical operations, including supply chain disruptions and equipment sabotage. This discussion will highlight these sector-specific risks and provide practical, research-backed solutions tailored to meet the distinct needs of businesses in these vital industries.

Afternoon Break: 02:00 pm to 02:15 pm

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm

Panel 4:  Bridging the Gap: Cybersecurity Workforce Challenges for SMBs

Malachowsky Hall | Room 1000

Moderator: Karen S. Evans, Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute

Panelist: Diana Burley, Vice Provost, Research & Innovation – American University; Eleanor Taylor, Project Manager, Idaho National Laboratory; Erik Sander, The Micheal Durham Executive Director, University of Florida Engineering Innovation Institute

With the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals far outpacing supply, SMBs often struggle to understand how to secure their digital assets as well as attracting and retaining the expertise needed to protect their digital assets. This discussion will examine the workforce challenges specific to SMBs, such as limited budgets and competition with larger firms, and present strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Topics will include leveraging remote work, investing in employee training and upskilling, and collaborating with educational institutions to develop a pipeline of cybersecurity talent tailored to the needs of smaller enterprises.

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

 Closing Keynote:  Future-Proofing Your Business: Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Advanced Telecommunications

Malachowsky Hall | Room 1000

Speaker: David M. Bezzant, Vice President, T-Mobile for Government

The keynote will provide a forward-looking perspective on the evolving cybersecurity challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the coming years, particularly in the realm of telecommunications. As 5G networks, IoT devices, and AI-driven communications continue to reshape the digital landscape, this keynote will offer critical insights into how SMBs can prepare for these advancements while safeguarding their operations against emerging threats.