May 14, 2018, Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) today announced that registration is open for the 21^st Annual New York State Cyber Security Conference. The conference, which takes place on June 5-6, 2018, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, is focused on boosting cyber security awareness and empowering state and local governments, academia, organizations and citizens to take better control of their digital security. The conference is free to government and public-sector employees.

“With the growing use of technology and digital tools, it is more important than ever that we are prepared to protect ourselves from and respond to today’s cyber challenges,” said New York State Chief Information Officer (CIO) Robert H. Samson. “We all have a role to play in keeping our critical personal and organizational assets secure.  The Conference allows us to come together to build awareness around this important issue, and to collaborate on innovative cyber strategies.”

The event, which spans two days, is hosted by ITS, the University at Albany’s School of Business, and The New York State Forum, Inc.  More than 50 sessions, including interactive discussions led by subject matter experts in both government and commercial sectors will be offered.  Robert H. Samson, New York State CIO, will deliver the welcome address and USAF (Ret.) Steven J. Spano, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Center for Internet Security® (CIS®), will deliver the keynote address. New to the conference this year is a Security Escape Room, which will offer attendees the opportunity to solve security-related challenges and puzzles in a fun and interactive way. 

“Education and awareness, in government, the private sector, and the community at large, are essential to address today’s constantly evolving cyber threats,” said New York State Chief Information Security Officer Deborah Snyder. “The 21^st Annual Conference continues our efforts to provide a venue in which individuals across a broad range of disciplines are offered opportunities to learn from leading experts in the field, and discuss effective cyber security strategies and best practices.”

“For the past two decades this conference has focused on cyber security of our networks and communication systems,” said Executive Director of The NYS Forum Joan Sullivan. “Over the past 20 years our technology has become more sophisticated as it becomes more ubiquitous in our daily lives. We are looking to the not too distant future in which artificial intelligence and autonomous transportation will be a normal way of life. We have changed our mindset from ‘if we are attacked’ to ‘staying one step ahead of the next attack.’  For these reasons it is critical that we, as business leaders as well as private citizens, attend this Conference. I am once again delighted to cohost this outstanding event bringing industry and government leaders, practitioners, academics and citizens together to share experiences and learn from each other. We need to be vigilant, educated and focused on the new normal in this cyber world we live in.”

“The University at Albany is delighted to work with the New York State Office of Information Technology Services in supporting the NYS Cyber Security Conference and organizing the Annual Symposium on Information Assurance. The blend of academics and professionals at this event better informs the practitioners of future trends and challenges in the field and provides valuable feedback for researchers. Each year we continue to grow the audience and have made this into a premier cyber security event in the northeast United States,” said Dr. Sanjay Goel, School of Business at the University at Albany.

"Effective cybersecurity has to bridge the gap from ‘tech to exec’ so executives can talk about cybersecurity in the boardroom with the same ease they dissect financial information. Cyber risks need to be defined, and cyber defense plans have to be included in every step of an enterprise’s organizational strategy,” said Spano.  “Some still leave cybersecurity at the door of leadership meetings. I look forward to talking with conference attendees about how we can balance cyber risk by requiring more collaboration, agility, and accountability from both ourselves and our staff.”

Post-conference training opportunities will also be offered, and top researchers in academia will present papers on information security at the 13^th Annual Symposium on Information Assurance (ASIA) on June 7, which runs in conjunction with the conference.

The New York State Cyber Security Conference is yet another measure undertaken by New York to  improve the State’s cyber security posture. Most recently, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo allocated $5 million in the FY 2019 Budget to ensure New York’s elections are safe from cyber threats. The annual Cyber Security Conference brings attention to these important cyber initiatives by calling for active participation from individuals and organizations from across the State.

For more information, and to register for the 21^st Annual New York State Cyber Security Conference, visit the conference website at https://its.ny.gov/2018-nyscsc.   For highlights of the event, follow us on Twitter @NYSITS.