Wild Dunes Resort
Charleston, SC

Southeast IT & Security Leaders Forum 2025

Date

March 09 – 11, 2025

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 Southeast IT & Security Leaders Forum and leave ready to inspire action within your Organization!

Master of Ceremonies

Brian Benn

Chief Information Officer, Clark Atlanta University

Connect with Me!
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Sponsor

Wild Dunes Resort

Discover a beach resort unlike any other. Wild Dunes Resort on Charleston’s Isle of Palms barrier island is the ideal getaway for people who are seeking unpretentious luxury and convenient access to the beach and downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Boasting sweeping Atlantic Ocean views and an array of inspired amenities, including an onsite restaurant, full-service spa, tennis center, and “Best in State” golf course, the 1,600-acre resort will ease you into the joys of Charleston.

Forum Agenda

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

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
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 ET
SINC WELCOME NETWORKING RECEPTION

Engage your Peers over canapes and cocktails

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

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

 

7:30 AM - 8:25 AM ET
SINC IT LEADERS NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Full breakfast and lots of coffee available!

8:30 AM - 8:35 AM ET
SINC OPENING REMARKS

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

8:35 AM - 9:25 AM ET
PANEL - Enabling the Institution for the Digital Economy: Key Future Trends

As the digital economy continues to expand, institutions must adapt to remain competitive and relevant. This session will explore the key trends shaping the future of the digital economy and how institutions can effectively enable their digital transformation. Topics will include advancements in digital infrastructure, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the importance of data analytics, and the shift towards digital-first business models. Experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by these trends, providing practical insights on how institutions can leverage technology to enhance efficiency, innovation, and customer engagement. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic steps necessary to thrive in the digital economy.

Panelist: Shilpi Ganguly, SVP, IT & Cybersecurity, The Weather Channel

9:35 AM - 10:05 AM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Reducing Risk and Accelerating Security Investigations with Observability Data

The growing complexity of cloud-native architectures has led to an ever-expanding attack surface for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities. The dynamic nature of these environments and the accelerated rate of change with DevOps practices has it increasingly difficult for traditional approaches to secure these applications and environments.

In this session we’ll explore:

  • The importance of a unified observability and security strategy to improve an organization’s risk posture
  • Leveraging observability data to investigate vulnerabilities and attacks more accurately and rapidly
  • Developing best practices for IT and security teams to minimize risk

Presented by: Dynatrace

9:35 AM - 10:05 AM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - Achieving Next-Gen Business Outcomes with IoT & Blockchain

Learn how to harness decentralized technologies to tranform your business. Understand how IoT & Blockchain work together to ensure security, transactional integrity, while reducing total cost of operations to near zero. During this session, you’ll engage in the process of building a Decentralized Autonomous Organization- brining the pieces together to provide a foundation to understand opportunities & risks as your organization drives to Next-Gen business.

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Redefining Data Protection: Building Resilient and Secure Strategies for Modern Threats

This session will explore foundational and advanced strategies to safeguard data across diverse environments, including hybrid and multi-cloud settings. Topics will cover approaches to data security, compliance, threat detection, disaster recovery, and innovative techniques to mitigate risks such as ransomware and misconfigurations. Attendees will gain actionable insights into building resilient systems to protect critical information assets and ensure operational continuity in today’s dynamic landscape.

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - Redefining Secure Web Access: Transforming the Browser into the First Line of Defense

As organizations increasingly adopt web-based applications and remote work models, traditional security measures are proving insufficient to safeguard against modern threats. This session explores the transformative role of secure enterprise browsers in elevating web access from a potential vulnerability to a robust security advantage. Attendees will learn how innovative browser technologies can provide enhanced data protection, mitigate insider threats, and seamlessly integrate with existing security frameworks, ensuring both productivity and resilience in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM ET
SINC NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

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

11:05 AM - 11:35 AM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Beyond the Hype: Making Autonomous Security Operations a Reality

The relentless growth of cyber threats and the increasing complexity of modern IT environments have stretched security teams to their breaking point. Autonomous solutions promise much-needed relief, but CISOs are rightly cautious. This session cuts through the hype, providing a pragmatic roadmap for incorporating autonomous capabilities into your security operations.

We’ll explore the spectrum of autonomy, from basic automation (Level 4) to true AI-driven decision-making (Level 5), clarifying what’s possible today and what lies on the horizon. Discover the compelling reasons driving the need for autonomous alert triage and response and understand the critical role of the “virtual analyst” in this evolution.

This session will equip you with the knowledge to:

  • Demystify “autonomous” and its varying levels.
  • Grasp the urgency for autonomous solutions in modern security operations.
  • Conceptualize the “virtual analyst” and its potential impact.
  • Learn key criteria for evaluating virtual analyst solutions.
  • Understand the challenges in building and deploying virtual analysts.
  • Define the evolving role of human analysts in an autonomous future.

Join us to explore a realistic path toward autonomous security operations and prepare your organization for a more secure tomorrow.

Presented by: AirMDR

11:05 AM - 11:35 AM ET
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.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM ET
PRESENTATION - Using AI to Enhance Customer and Employee Journeys

In today’s dynamic business environment, companies face the imperative of delivering instant answers and assistance to customers engaging with digital channels. This informative discussion addresses the vital elements needed to produce tangible results to meet this demand. While AI tools and smart agents can minimize human intervention, professionals across sales, marketing, and customer service must navigate customer interactions and team collaboration in new ways. In this chat we will address the challenges to be aware of in the strategic deployment of these technologies and steps to take to ensure they deliver expected value.

Presentation: RingCentral

12:25 PM - 1:15 PM ET
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.

Panelist: Steve Collins, CIO, United Veterinary Care

1:15 PM - 2:05 PM ET
SINC NETWORKING LUNCH

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

2:10 PM - 2:40 PM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Exploring the Future of Cloud Networking: How to Optimize Performance, Security, and Scalability in an Increasingly Complex Multi-Cloud Environment

In today’s multi-cloud world, managing network performance, security, and scalability has become more complex than ever. Join us for an insightful discussion on the latest trends and strategies in cloud networking, where we’ll explore how to optimize your cloud infrastructure for maximum efficiency and resilience. Learn from industry experts about best practices and innovative solutions to navigate the evolving cloud landscape successfully. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in cloud networking!

2:10 PM - 2:40 PM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - Post-Cloud IT: What Comes After the Cloud Revolution?

As cloud adoption matures, what’s next for IT infrastructure? This session explores the rise of distributed computing paradigms like fog, mist, and edge clouds. Leaders will gain insights into preparing for a post-cloud era where decentralized architectures, hyper-local processing, and multi-cloud strategies dominate.

2:50 PM - 3:20 PM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Building Resilient SaaS Security: Actionable Strategies to Emerging Threats

As organizations increasingly rely on SaaS applications, the risks associated with misconfigurations and emerging threats continue to rise. This session will explore how advanced SaaS security solutions provide the visibility, detection capabilities, and response tools needed to identify vulnerabilities, secure configurations, and mitigate threats in real-time. Discover tactical solutions to strengthen your SaaS security posture, protect critical data, and reduce risk in your cloud environment.

Speaker: Jay Klauser, Director of Solutions Engineering, AppOmni

Presented by: AppOmni

2:50 PM - 3:20 PM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - The Future of Digital Identity: Building Secure, Scalable Systems

As digital identity becomes a central piece of online interactions, leaders must ensure that identity management systems are both secure and scalable. This session explores the evolving landscape of digital identity, including biometrics, decentralized identity management, and the role of blockchain. Learn how to build a robust identity management strategy that can evolve with technological advancements and security threats.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
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.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - Hiring and Retaining top IT & Security Talent

While the pool of talented cybersecurity professionals is increasing daily, there is still a shortage of cybersecurity professionals to go around. This sessions will dicuss how your organization can stand out from the crowd and attract the best. The session will cover the following topics: – How being an active CISO and Thought Leader is the best marketing for new talent – Creative ways to compete and assets that are important outside of salary – Increase training and access to non-cybersecurity experts that are already excelling at your company and how to determine that talent you already have in house.

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET
SINC NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

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

4:20 PM - 4:50 PM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Challenges with Digital Currency: Enabling the Institution for the Digital Economy

The world now depends on the digital economy. IT is central to the organization’s successful response and there are four pillars of strength required: re-coding the institutional DNA, treating security as survival, responding to the new relationship with work, and reducing the bureaucratic burden.

4:20 PM - 4:50 PM ET
WORKSHOP 2 - The Cybersecurity Metaverse: Securing Virtual Worlds

As organizations explore the metaverse for new business opportunities, IT and cybersecurity leaders face the challenge of securing assets in immersive, virtual environments. This session dives into safeguarding virtual identities, protecting digital assets, and ensuring privacy in the metaverse. Attendees will uncover strategies for combating new threat vectors in a space where physical and digital realities blend seamlessly.

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM ET
WORKSHOP 1 - Diving into Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Retention

In most markets, there is an abundance of open IT jobs with fewer people able to fill them – and the positions are getting more expensive. Working remotely is the norm, but not optimal (usually). There is less off-shoring and more resources are focused locally or within the same hemisphere.

Additionally, we are still not recruiting enough woman and minorities in to the rank and file, especially senior IT roles, and we’re losing talent to major tech hubs.

Join us as we dive into solutions to tackle the following challenges:

  • How do you scale staff / team without losing them to major tech hubs?
  • How do you create more diversity – not only among race and gender – but diversity of thought – Old vs New Thinking?
  • How do we mentor universities to implement actionable steps for supplying more IT talent?

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM ET
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.

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

Engage your Peers over canapés and cocktails

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

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

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

Full Breakfast and lots of coffee available!

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM ET
CISO PANEL - The Rapidly Evolving Threat Landscape

Aggressive attacks on Enterprise computer networks are continuing with increased frequency and threatening economic and national security. Actions like vulnerability reduction and passive defenses on their own simply are not cutting it and there needs to be a functional shift in the way we mitigate this substantial threat. Companies can seek to protect their most sensitive data by implementing an environment of actionable intelligence and detection to bring the fight to the adversaries and ensure a proactive approach to securing data. This session will discuss best practices in managing the constant evolution in the security environment.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET
WORKSHOP - 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.

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM ET
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 ET
WORKSHOP - 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 ET
WORKSHOP - 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 ET
SINC NETWORKING LUNCH

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

Southeast Executive Advisory Council

Eugene Kogan

Global IT Director, Head of IT and Security

Population Council

Michael Marsillio

CISO

Paradies Lagardere

Ashok Narayan

Global Director of Applications and Emerging Technology

Tosca Services

Gina Bennett

Director of Enterprise Solutions

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

Kenneth Foster

Global Head of Architecture

Adient

Kenneth Viciana

VP, Global Data & Analytics Products

TSYS

Lorenzo Hines

Global SVP of Information Technology

Citi

Tanweer Surve

Head of Cloud Center of Enablement & Solutions Engineering

PNC Bank

Bradley Schaufenbuel

VP & CISO

Paychex, Inc

Stephen Demeritt

Global Head of IT Services & Delivery

Black & Veatch

Mitesh Patel

VP of IT

JP Morgan

John Whiting

Global Director Cyber Risk

Omnicon

Michael Onuoha

Head of Engineering & Architecture, Risk, Fraud & Collections

Citi

Nish Majmudar

VP & Chief Information Security Officer

Mathematica

Andy Flatt

SVP & CIO

National Healthcare

Deena Swatzie

VP, Head of Technology Risk

LPL Financial

Karl Forsberg

Senior Director IT, Infrastructure and Operations

North America Partners in Anesthesia

Forum Speakers