Optiv Cyber House Agenda | March 12

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT

Sponsored SXSW Panel | Rise of the Metaverse: A Web 3 Wild West

Emily Herrick, Co-founder, FoolProof Labs

John Tsangaris, Technical Manager, Threat, Optiv

The rise of the Metaverse has created the largest, most interconnected attack surface in the world. Technological evolution has outpaced security measures, leaving users unprotected from fraud in a world without regulations or governance. Lawlessness reigns, making the 3D Internet the new Wild West. This panel examines some of the unique challenges to data privacy and asset management that every person faces in the Metaverse, such as: protecting assets of value that are moved into the metaverse, the role of cyber insurance to protect a user from identity theft, securely working in the Metaverse, social engineering trends, and gaming as a vehicle for data mining and tracking of minors. We will examine how technology and security leaders are providing security in this new frontier.

***Must Present SXSW Conference Badge to Attend***
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT

Sponsored SXSW Panel | Power Up: Keeping Critical Infrastructure Safe

Steve Granda, Cybersecurity Researcher, National Renewable Energy Lab

Hon. Patrick Murphy, Former Under Secretary, U.S. Army

Dr. Alyse Taylor-Anyikire, Senior Policy Advisor and Engineer, U.S. Department of Energy

Sean Tufts, Practice Director, IoT, OT, Optiv

Critical infrastructure — including pipelines, fiberoptic cables and power grids — underpin the intricate, interconnected system on which we all rely. As these systems proliferate, their vulnerability has grown as well. Initially focused on physical flaws, we’ve seen a new threat develop from the digital world. Often built on outdated PC systems, critical infrastructure projects should expect to see more attacks like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware of 2021. Abroad, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a proliferation in malware targeting critical infrastructure and highlights how joint cyber and physical attacks — like the capture of Chernobyl — may develop in future conflicts. Our panel discusses what businesses and governments need to know to protect themselves.

***Must Present SXSW Conference Badge to Attend***
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CT

After Party

Join us for an invite-only evening of cyber and defense community networking, music, dancing and plenty of entertainment at Shakespeare's Pub!
This is a private event, hosted by Optiv. To attend, you must pre-register and be 21 years of age or older.
Prior to the after party, it is recommended to visit Optiv's Cyber House to collect your wristband for faster entrance.

Optiv Cyber House Agenda | March 13

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. CT

Panel | Demystifying the DOD Customer

LTG Ross Coffman, Deputy Commander, Army Futures Command

Ashlee Dominguez, Vice President, Intelligence & Analysis Solutions, Valiant

Dr. Alexis Ross, President, Apex Defense Strategies

In recent years there has been an influx of private capital and new, non-traditional defense technology companies to the national security market. Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) have taken steps to encourage new entrants to the defense industrial base. But where there is great opportunity, there are also great challenges stemming from the economics of the defense marketplace and the complexities of the DOD customer. Those seeking to enter the defense market should consider what it really means to do business with the DOD. During this fireside chat, three government insiders will debate misperceptions about the DOD customer, illuminate best practices for navigating DOD procurement and reveal the ground truth on how the DOD operates.

***Private Event***
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. CT

Panel | Why Cyber Readiness is Essential for Military Stability

Col. Dave Branch (Ret.), Director/Senior Client Advisor, Touchstone Futures

Jessica Hetrick, Senior Cyber Strategy and Resilience Leader, Optiv

Jonathan Nguyen-Duy, VP, Field CISO Strategic Services, Fortinet

James Turgal, Vice President, Cyber Risk, Strategy and Board Relations, Optiv

Reducing threat, mitigating risk and hardening the environment enables the U.S. military to project and sustain power. Cyber readiness is critical to the military’s future, allowing U.S. armed forces to protect networks and systems while also disrupting those of our adversaries. With increasing reliance on technology and the internet in military operations, it is essential for the military to be able to lessen the impact in defending against cyberattacks and to conduct cyber operations as a means of gaining military advantage. This panel examines the increasing importance of cyber readiness, why the ever-expanding reliance on technology will only increase the potential for cyberattacks on military systems and how to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity through cyber resilience.

***Private Event***
1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. CT

Panel | National Security Impacts of Ultra-Transparency

Nycki Brooks, Managing Director, Federal Services, Optiv

Annie Redmond, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intelligence Policy and Coordination, U.S. Department of State

Kris Schroeder, Founder and CEO, Grey Market Labs

James Turgal, Vice President, Cyber Risk, Strategy and Board Relations, Optiv

In an age of hyper-connectivity where our personal electronic devises have become core to everyday life, leaving digital footprints in our wake, how does the cyber industry help the Nation protect the communications of its military and most sensitive operators in the field? How does the cyber industry facilitate this level of protection to ensure that our prosperity continues in perpetuity? This panel examines the relationship of security in an age of ultra-transparency, where we have become open digital books, constantly being measured and assessed. It shares valuable insights into how to balance transparency and useability with security.

***Private Event***
2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. CT

Panel | Supply Chain … The Next Off-Set

Dave DeWalt, Founder, CEO and Managing Director, NightDragon

Col. Mike Hammond, Commander, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant

Paul Paget, CEO, Black Kite

MG Paul Pardew, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Cyberattacks on supply chains are one of the fastest growing threats to both the public and private sectors. Attacks can be done anonymously, by nation-states and bad actors alike. Victims can rarely prove the identity of perpetrators, reducing fear reprisal. As we saw with the Colonial Pipeline, these cyberattacks can topple multiple systems and companies at one time — wreaking havoc on a nation’s citizens and infrastructure, making them prominent targets in this new era of warfare. With U.S modernization efforts the cyberattack surface grows — extending to our national supply chain. Cyber has given adversaries a low cost, low risk way to cause damage, often financially benefiting in the process. With continued digitization, we are increasingly relying on cyber infrastructure to create and move goods, making the issue of securing the supply chain extend beyond individual companies. This panel explores government and private sector supply chain challenges, discussing issues that need attention and steps that can be taken to manage risks.

***Private Event***
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT

Sponsored SXSW Panel | 2050: Thriving in the Age of Hyper-Connection

LTG Ed Cardon (Ret.), Founding Partner and Co-CEO, Touchstone Futures

Dave DeWalt, Founder, CEO and Managing Director, NightDragon

Major General Barbara Fast, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Kevin Lynch, CEO, Optiv

Smart cities, autonomous driving as the norm, digital twins living in an ever-expanding metaverse, space industries booming and opening vast new opportunities and resources — these are all predictions for how our world will develop by 2050. It is an era where cyber-connectivity permeates every aspect of our infrastructure, to the point that there is no longer a functional distinction. During this panel, world-leading experts across industry, cyber defense and the cyber investment landscape will share their unique insights on what is needed from a policy, innovation, industry and protection (PIIP) standpoint to navigate a new normal and thrive in 2050.

***Must Present SXSW Conference Badge to Attend***
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT

Networking Happy Hour

Join us for drinks and apps as we close Optiv's Cyber House at SXSW.

***Private Event***