Wilmington’s largest cybersecurity-focused conference will be held on Oct. 2 and 3 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 
 
The conference will feature speakers from business, academics and government exploring the latest trends, challenges and advancements in cybersecurity with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, cloud security, maritime cybersecurity, and small- to medium-sized business security, according to organizers.
 
The conference expects to attract 250 attendees including IT and cybersecurity professionals, government officials, small business owners, researchers, academicians and students. The mix is intended to encourage an exchange of ideas and perspectives on cybersecurity trends and challenges through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, hands-on workshops and networking.
 
The topics for this year’s event were selected based on current trends and challenges in the cybersecurity landscape, said Ulku Clark, information systems professor and director of the university’s Center for Cyber Defense Education.
 
“The most pressing cybersecurity issues today include ransomware attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, cloud security threats and the misuse of AI, such as deepfakes and synthetic media. With input from an advisory board, industry experts and academic partners, we aim to cover a diverse range of subjects that are relevant to various sectors,” Clark said.
 
Keynote speakers across the two days include Robert Main, cybersecurity state coordinator (for North Carolina) for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; Alex Hoover, science and technology department head for the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office; Jeff Crume, CTO for IBM Security-Americas; and Maria Thompson, state and local government executive government adviser-cybersecurity for Amazon Web Services. Topics covered include zero-trust security, cloud security, incident response and AI in cybersecurity.
 
In parallel with the conference, maritime cybersecurity stakeholders will meet with high-profile attendees from the public and private sectors. The maritime sector plays a crucial role in global trade and economy with over 90% of the world’s goods being transported by sea, officials said.
 
“The maritime industry is facing unique cybersecurity challenges as it becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies,” Clark said. “By focusing on maritime cybersecurity, we aim to address the unique challenges and emerging threats in this field, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry leaders, government officials and academia to build a more resilient maritime ecosystem. The insights and strategies developed during this session will contribute to a comprehensive technology roadmap, guiding future efforts to bolster the resilience and security of maritime operations.”
 
The conference also includes a series of hands-on workshops including a Cyber Clinic Workshop specifically tailored for small businesses. This workshop will offer practical insights into the top five essential cybersecurity practices to protect small- to medium-sized organizations and businesses online. Attendees will receive a complimentary Vulnerability IQ Report, providing a risk score based on their external attack surface. Participants will also receive a cyber hygiene assessment and a future internal vulnerability scan to further safeguard their systems.
 
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