Beyond the AI Hype: A Roadmap for Operational Readiness
In a landscape crowded with theoretical "AI Visionaries," the Rochester ISSA is cutting through the noise to deliver strategic clarity. We invite you to a half-day intensive designed to move your organization from AI curiosity or confusion to operational readiness.
This event focuses on the three pillars that define modern cybersecurity leadership: Operationalizing AI, Hardening against AI-driven threats, and Governing the "Black Box."
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Cityview Ballroom, Strathallan Ballroom, Century Club
CPE Credits: 4 Credits
Register by Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Registration & Networking Breakfast | |
| 8:15 am | Keynote: The Cyber Defense Matrix in the Age of AI | Sounil Yu, Chief AI Officer at Knostic |
| 9:05 am | Stories from the Field: Implementing AI at Scale | Bob Greenough, Director of SE at Telarus |
| 9:45 am | Networking & Refreshment Break | |
| 10:00 am | The AI 360º Panel: Technical Defense Meets GRC & Legal | Steve Dyson, Kevin Cleary, Brian Zimmer, Paul Greene, Alicia Leone, and Bib Greenough |
| 11:00 am | The Exchange: Interactive Transition & Networking | Extended Q&A / Partner Networking |
| 11:20 am | Solving the Gap | Premier Partners Presentations |
| 11:50 am | Closing Remarks | ISSA Board |
Featured Sessions
Keynote: Frameworks for Resilience
The creator of the DIE Triad and the Cyber Defense Matrix provide a masterclass in strategic frame working. Learn to define, align, and optimize your security strategy for an AI-augmented threat landscape.
Implementation Stories from the Field
Drawing on 20+ years of experience—from the FBI’s InfraGard to enterprise systems, Bob shares the realities of integrating AI into environments ranging from startups to national accounts
The Dual-Track Panel: The SOC vs. The Boardroom
An interactive session bridging the technical and regulatory gap. We dive into adversarial AI defense and deepfake detection, followed by a deep dive into AI privacy law and regulatory compliance with regional experts.
The Implementation of Solutions: Solving the Implementation Gap
Strategy without execution is just theory. Our partners provide 10-minute, rapid-fire presentations on how their technologies solve the specific security and GRC challenges discussed throughout the morning.
The Takeaway
You will leave this session with a practical toolkit including:
- A better understanding of the organizational and operational impact of AI
- A clearer picture of the bi-lateral technical impact of AI
- A blueprint of how to strategize the compliance and legal aspects of AI
- An ability to take what was learned and impact your organization, immediately
Solutions & Innovation Powered By
Our partners are in the trenches of AI security every day. Connect with their experts during our 11:20 AM Tooling Showcase.
