Pendry
Park City, UT

West IT & Security Leaders Forum 2024

Date

May 19 – 21, 2024

By bringing together the top 80 Executives in the region, we will discuss the most pressing Technology and Leadership challenges we face in an ever-evolving corporate landscape.

Over the next two and a half days, we will nurture meaningful relationships and tackle the challenges inherent to IT in a smaller, more dynamic setting. You will learn from your peers through various workshops, panels, roundtables and presentations. Our closed-door policy fosters an environment where all discussions are confined within the Forum walls, enabling more genuine and engaged conversations.

Learn about the latest and most innovative technologies that can bridge some of your organizational gaps through qualified one-on-one engagements, scheduled strategically throughout the Forum and selected by you, based on your most pressing needs.

Build new relationships and nurture existing ones, share in your successes and commiserate in the challenges that we all face as IT Leaders.

Join us for the West IT & Security Leaders Forum and leave ready to inspire action within your Organization!

Master of Ceremonies

Shawnna DelHierro

Chief Technology Officer Recently of Sportsman Warehouse

Pendry Park City

Pendry Park City is a contemporary mountain enclave bringing the mastery of Utah’s awe-inspiring landscape to new heights. A ski-in / ski-out resort nestled in the center of Canyons Village, the slopeside retreat’s modernist design, luxury service, and thoughtful amenities will help ensure an exceptional experience.

Forum Agenda

Agenda may be subject to change. Click on each day to view full agenda.

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM MST
FORUM REGISTRATION & APP DEMONSTRATION

Get familiar with SINC Staff and the event layout. Secure your complimentary Swag Bag and learn how to use the Onsite Application for Peer Engagement and win great prizes!

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM MST
SINC WELCOME NETWORKING RECEPTION

Engage your Peers over canapes and cocktails

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING & ENGAGEMENT DINNER

Open seating buffet meal serving 5-star food and great Peer engagement before Day 1 kick’s off

7:00 AM - 7:55 AM MST
SINC IT LEADERS NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Full breakfast and lots of coffee available!

8:00 AM - 8:05 AM MST
SINC OPENING REMARKS

A Thank You from SINC – setting the tone for a great day!

8:05 AM - 8:50 AM MST
PANEL - The CIO's Role in the Future of Work

As organizations adapt to technological advancements, remote collaboration tools, and changing workforce dynamics, the CIO emerges as a key strategist, orchestrating digital transformation initiatives and ensuring seamless integration of technology into the fabric of the modern workplace. This Panel will discuss how CIOs can drive innovation, enhance cybersecurity measures, and foster a flexible and inclusive work environment to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by the future of work.

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Never-ending, Unacceptable Levels of Risk, How do We Sleep at Night?

We invest a lot into patching and correction of misconfigurations, but we never really reach a point where we can say we have a tolerable amount of risk in our environment. We feel deeply, at a certain point, with a skilled enough attacker, or one bad decision, a breach is likely to happen. This can be incredibly taxing.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Can I define a “tolerable” amount of risk?
  •  How do I measure more within my security program (and why should that matter)
  • What helps me sleep the most at night?

Presented by: Lacework

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Leveraging AI and Machine Learning in IT Operations Management: A Pathway to Predictive Analytics and Enhanced Efficiency

In this session, we will explore the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on IT Operations Management and discuss strategies for integrating predictive analytics to proactively address system anomalies, enhance decision-making, and automate routine tasks. We will engage in dialogue on the challenges of implementation, including data privacy and workforce adaptation, and examine solutions for a seamless transition to an AI-augmented ITOM environment.

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Stop Trying to Boil the Ocean; Making Better Risk Decisions to Prevent Future Cyber Attacks

Discussing traditional approaches to Risk Management and why they are less and less effective as technology gets more complex and attacks get harder to detect. Including:

  • Gaining comprehensive visibility across the modern attack surface
  • Anticipating threats, identifying exposures and prioritizing efforts to prevent attacks
  • Communicating cyber risk up and down the organization to help make better risk decisions

Presented by: Tenable

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Building The 'True' Software-Defined Data Centers

The software-defined data center (SDDC) is a concept in which all data center infrastructure is virtualized and delivered as a service. Control is fully automated through software, allowing hardware configuration to be maintained through automated policies. SDDC advances virtualization and cloud computing by supporting both legacy enterprise applications and new cloud computing services. It thus provides a solid base for using public, private, and hybrid clouds. By abstracting applications from hardware, SDDC allows apps to run anywhere and even move from place to place. It also allows for greater automation within a data center and faster, simple orchestration across centers.

10:10 AM - 10:25 AM MST
SINC NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

Circle back with your Peers on the content so far while grabbing a coffee or tea and a snack

10:25 AM - 10:55 AM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Cyber Defense Strategies for Earlier Detection and Faster Response

Delve into the flaws of the traditional cybersecurity landscape and how a modern SOC should focus on outcome-based services without relying on logs or the cost and complexity of a SIEM.

Presented by: LMNTRIX

10:25 AM - 10:55 AM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Resilience Planning: Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

This session will explore strategies to ensure organizational resilience against unexpected disruptions, focusing on crafting robust disaster recovery and continuous business operations plans. We will discuss how to assess risks, implement effective recovery tactics, and maintain operational integrity under various scenarios. The session aims to equip organizations with the tools and knowledge to swiftly recover from setbacks while minimizing impact on operations, ensuring a seamless path to business as usual.

Presented by: Torq

11:05 AM - 11:35 AM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Ransomware: To pay or not to pay

In September 2023, two major casinos were hit with cyberattacks from the same ransomware threat actor. The first casino immediately paid a $15 million ransom and was back in business quickly. The second took a longer road by refusing to pay, which cost the company tens of millions in lost revenue due to more than 10 days of downtime.

The one that paid is now being sued in a class-action lawsuit for “inadequate data security.” In hindsight, which decision was better? Join this conversation to share your opinion.

Discussion Topic 1: Factors to consider in high-pressure decision-making:

  • For the casino who paid the ransomware, how big a factor was luck in getting its system up and running again so quickly? Did they lose anything long-term for their choice to pay a ransom?
  • Was 10 days reasonable for the second casino to return to business continuity? Did they gain anything in terms of long-term cybersecurity compared to the other?

Discussion Topic 2: Legal ramifications:

  • Did both companies fulfill the requirements of the SEC disclosure rules in terms of details and timing?
  • Why is one being sued and not the other?
  • Does the second casino’s comprehensive review and restoration process, while more costly in the short term, affect the company differently in the long term concerning legal liability?

Presented by: Zscaler

11:05 AM - 11:35 AM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - AI in the Enterprise- Identifying Winning Business Cases

Enterprises have hordes of data and many opportunities to integrate other data sources. But readying data for AI experimentation is expensive and requires an iterative approach. This session will focus on finding the best opportunities to experiment with AI and on applying agile practices in machine learning initiatives.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM MST
WORKSHOP 1- How the Technology Leader has Become the Business Leader

Technology leaders are now key players in strategic decision-making processes. Their insights are crucial for identifying new business opportunities, assessing risks, and making informed decisions that balance innovation with sustainability. They play a vital role in developing strategies that capitalize on digital transformation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to drive growth and efficiency.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Is Your Roadmap Business-Driven or Vendor Dictated?

Today, the primary CEO priority is growth, with technology as a key enabler. However, vendor policies pose major roadblocks to innovation, growth and competitive advantage by forcing you to spend limited budget, resources and time on projects that may not drive your business. ​Learn how you can take control of your IT roadmap by choosing a Business-Driven Roadmap designed around your business objectives and not the vendor’s. Leverage vendor software, but do it on your terms, on your timetable and with the flexibility, funding and freedom to focus on initiatives that support growth and competitive advantage.

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING LUNCH

Open seating, Buffet-style lunch. Serving food for all tastes, Palates, and preferences. Vegan, vegetarian, halal options available

1:20 PM - 2:10 PM MST
ROUNDTABLE + PANEL - Translating Cybersecurity Strategy into Action

During this session we will discuss how to bridge the gap between theoretical cybersecurity frameworks and their practical implementation within organizations. It offers insights into effectively translating high-level security strategies into actionable steps that can be understood and executed by IT teams and security professionals. The session emphasizes the importance of aligning cybersecurity measures with business objectives to ensure both are resilient against evolving digital threats.

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM MST
PRESENTATION - Revolutionizing Communication Capabilities: Unleashing the Potential of Integrated Solutions for Enhanced Collaboration

Adoption of Microsoft Teams has become widespread, with Microsoft reporting 300 million active users. While Teams has become the go-to platform for video meetings and team messaging, many organizations have discovered its telephony capabilities don’t meet their needs. As a result, many organizations just like yours are searching for third-party solutions that fit neatly into Teams to transform it into a stronger communications hub. Join your peers to network and discuss how they’re leveraging Teams and how they’re integrating other services to unleash its full potential.

Presented by: RingCentral

2:55 PM - 3:25 PM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Navigating Tomorrow's Storage Landscape: An Interactive Dive into Future-Proofing Data Management

This session will cover the exploration of next-gen storage and system management. Journey from traditional storage to cutting-edge solutions like NVMe and SSD. Discuss balancing on-premises, cloud, and edge storage. Delve into top-tier security for data and see how AI is reshaping storage management. Dive deep into automation tools, the containerization-storage relationship, and the intricacies of data lifecycle. We’ll also debate the merits of Software-Defined Storage and strategize for disaster recovery. Round off with a glimpse into the future of storage.

2:55 PM - 3:25 PM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Balancing AI With The Indispensable Human Element in Cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence is a pervasive part of our lives today, and cybersecurity teams and adversaries alike have learned to harness the speed and power of machines to strengthen their capabilities. With machine learning becoming one of the most important tools of defense, leaders must balance the overwhelming speed and accuracy advantage of AI with the need for measured and intuitive interactions with a real-world human element.

Join this session to discuss:

  • What these trends mean for the hands-on practitioner
  • What happens when the velocity of innovation outpaces the capabilities of human intellect
  • The evolving role of automation in the effective practice of securing our digital world

Presented by: SentinelOne

3:25 PM - 3:40 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

Circle back with your Peers on the content so far while grabbing a coffee and a snack

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - Risk Management in the Era of AI

This session provides a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities that arise with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various industries. We’ll examine the intricacies of managing risks associated with AI technologies, highlighting the potential pitfalls and benefits they bring. By examining real-world examples and case studies, we’ll shed light on the complexities and ethical considerations involved in harnessing AI’s power while mitigating potential risks.

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - Driving Past the Data/Privacy Divide

To ensure relevance and competitiveness in today’s customer centric market, enterprises of all types are investing heavily in customer data capture and customer data analytics capabilities. With data being captured from so many new locations and at a deeper and more personal level than ever before privacy issues become more and more important. Enterprises need to constantly review their data capture and usage to determine value vs. risk and whether the incentive offered to the customer is sufficient to overcome any reticence on their part. This session will address privacy issues, how to balance opt in vs opt out requirements and that Data Privacy certainly isn’t a roadblock to data capture but the customer incentive needs to be sufficient to justify the sharing of personal details.

4:25 PM - 5:15 PM MST
ROUNDTABLE + PANEL: Driving The Business Through Technology

It is no secret that technology is changing the fabric of business operations and outcomes, and collaboration between IT and the business is more important than ever before. The conversation is no longer about how to align IT with the business, however in many cases technology is still viewed as a commodity rather than an enabler. So what can we do to successfully change this mindset both within our own organizations and across the industry as a whole? During this session, we will discuss the various challenges IT and digital leaders face when undergoing this cultural shift.

Moderator: Jason Frame, CIO, Southern Nevada Health District

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING RECEPTION

Engage your Peers over canapés and cocktails

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING & ENGAGEMENT DINNER

Open seating buffet meal serving 5 star food and great Peer engagement

8:00 AM - 8:50 AM MST
SINC IT LEADERS NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Full Breakfast and lots of coffee available!

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM MST
CISO PANEL - Integrating Cybersecurity and Business Strategy

This Panel will discuss how to seamlessly blend cybersecurity measures with overarching business objectives. The panel will explore practical approaches for ensuring that cybersecurity investments enhance business value, support growth, and align with long-term strategic goals. This dialogue aims to equip participants with strategies to make cybersecurity a driving force behind business success, rather than an afterthought.

Moderated by: Cyera

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM MST
PRESENTATION - Low Hanging Fruit – Improving AD Security for the Easy Win

Threat actors, Red-Teams, and Ransomware have been abusing Active Directory for years. In fact, attackers have compromised or leveraged AD in 100% of the successful ransomware attacks over the last 3 years. This discussion will discuss new technologies to help you visualize the risk in your AD and add a layer of security around this very important part of enterprise infrastructure.

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM MST
SINC NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

Circle back with your Peers on the content so far while grabbing a coffee and a snack

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM MST
WORKSHOP 1 - A Data Driven Journey: Insights and Lessons Learned

Everyone’s journey to being data-driven is unique. It’s like making an apple pie. It’s easy to get the ingredients, but you need to know how to put together the right recipe for a great apple pie. In this interactive discussion I will share insights and lessons learned in leading data modernization initiatives and in sharing the journey with customers. Data literacy, culture, governance, quality, technology stack modernization and architecture are all ingredients in driving towards the right data driven recipe. The discussion will include tips and tricks for reducing friction points and how to build the right recipe for your organization.

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM MST
WORKSHOP 2 - From On-Prem to the Cloud: Protect Your Apps and APIs

The result of digital transformation: It’s easier to do business with your customers and partners. But with new architectures, web apps and APIs now deployed from on-prem servers to the cloud, it is harder than ever to get a holistic view of all of these potentially vulnerable assets – never mind defend them.

What are your biggest challenges today in defending these diverse assets? What are the known gaps in your current defenses? What are you seeking in the future to defend your apps and APIs?

Topics covered will include:

  • How are adversaries preying upon unprotected web apps and APIs?
  • How are traditional web application firewalls deployed, and what are they missing?
  • What does the future look like with unified web app and API security solutions?

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM MST
PRESENTATION - Maximizing Value Vs Minimizing Cost- Building a more Valuable IT Department

To meet the speed and agility demands of digital business, CIOs are transforming their IT departments and shifting a growing share of IT work from projects to products. At the same time, growth in business-led IT has expanded the span of employees across the enterprise who are responsible for technology initiatives.
This session will explore a cost management model and discuss how evolving IT cost management efforts to focus on value over pure cost will reduce (and even eliminate) reactive calls to cut IT costs. This session will provide a model and tactics to elevate the maturity of IT to focus on value over costs, while still meeting the business directives.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MST
SINC NETWORKING LUNCH

Open seating, Buffet-style lunch. Serving food for all tastes, pallets and preferences. Vegan, vegetarian, halal options available. Serving to-go boxes for those in a hurry!

West Executive Advisory Council

Shawnna DelHierro

CTO

Sportsman Warehouse (Former)

Nadeem Iftikhar

CISO

NextNav

Roger Franke

Vice President of IT

Aramark

Elena Seiple

VP, CISO

Zillow

Niel Nickolaisen

CIO

Sorenson Communications

Paul Duchouquette

CIO

FDH Aero

Chris Stoneley

CISO

Cathay Bank

Robert Martin

CTO

Bridgepay Network Solutions

Vijay Mohnish

CTO

Ria Financial

Marcel Spitalnik

Director of Business Transformation

Danone

Adip Dsouza

VP of Technology

Merchants Mortgage & Trust Corporation

Sylvia Jessen

Director of IT

University of Utah School of Medicine

Tanweer Surve

Executive Director, Cloud Control Management

Wells Fargo

Forum Speakers