Forge Institute Cyber Summit Returns to Little Rock
The 5th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit, a cornerstone event in the cybersecurity calendar, is scheduled for October 7-8 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This year, Forge Institute is pleased to announce that the Summit will be held in conjunction with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Cybersecurity Summit. This strategic alignment not only underscores the partnership between the Forge Institute and the Attorney General but also enriches the event's programming and extends its impact. By hosting the Summit alongside the Conference, Forge Institute continues to lead the way in cybersecurity innovation and education, while significantly expanding access to crucial cybersecurity knowledge and resources for defending our critical infrastructure.
The annual Summit continues to be recognized as a pivotal event by key leaders in both the public and private sectors. This one of a kind gathering of leaders and cyber defenders offers inspiring opportunities for discussions on improving cyber digital literacy, innovation, policy, collective defense, workforce development, and improving networking across various industry sectors.
"We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Attorney General Tim Griffin and host our Summit in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Cyber & Security Conference this October as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Together, we are advancing private-public collaboration to increase cyber digital literacy and collective cyber defense to position our state to be more ready and resilient in the face of today’s growing cyber threats. We are also thankful to the AG for being a sponsor of this year’s Forge Institute Cyber Summit and including us in this broader event. - Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO, Forge Institute
Cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge; it's a critical societal issue that demands collective engagement from all sectors. By uniting the brightest minds across industry, academia, and government at the Forge Institute Cyber Summit, we catalyze the development of a robust community of cyber professionals. Our goal is to foster an ecosystem where innovation, knowledge-sharing, and proactive collaboration are the cornerstones of national and global security. Industry's active participation is vital, providing real-world insights and resources that are essential for building resilient defenses against the ever-evolving cyber threats we face today." - Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO, Forge Institute
Each year, the Summit addresses critical topics in cyber and national security, including the changing nature of cyber threats, challenges in building a skilled workforce, local effects of geopolitical dynamics, and the significance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in national security.
Past participants have hailed from eleven states and included Idaho National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Air Force Research Lab, Acxiom, Fortinet, Broadband Development Group, Google Cloud Mandiant, University of Arkansas, UA Little Rock, Flashpoint, Arkansas Municipal League, Arvest, Q2, SentinelOne, Tyson, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), City of Fort Smith, the 223rd Combat Communications Squadron, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the State of Arkansas, the 188th ISR Group, the Central Intelligence Agency, Mainstream Technologies, and the Arkansas National Guard. With growing support from a number of other organizations and key individuals, this year promises to be even more impactful.
Prior Summits have seen a wide array of topics. These have included in-depth discussions on securing the nation’s power grid through cyber research, various takes on mitigating supply chain risks, evolving cyber criminal activity, cyber risks to cities, counties and other government infrastructure, impacts to small businesses, and explorations into the vast potential and threats posed by artificial intelligence. This year, the Summit will continue to dive into the most current and emerging topics relevant to the ever broadening field of cyber and emerging technology.
Previous keynote speakers include: Arkansas Adjutant General Jonathan Stubbs; Natalie Lehr-Lopez, with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; former Deputy Director of CIA for Science & Technology, Dawn Meyerriecks; Virginia Wright of Idaho National Laboratory; Mike Rogers with the Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson; Tere Brun, former Chief Compliance & Customer Advocacy Officer at FIS; Jim Richberg of Fortinet; Scott Shyne, the Chief of Information Warfare Division at Air Force Research Lab; and Clint O’Neal, the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, among many others.
This year’s Summit is poised to grow and provide even greater visibility of emerging cyber risks. The growing list of sponsors this year includes: Fortinet, Optiv, PMICAC, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, UA Little Rock Department of Computer Science, and the Arkansas Attorney General.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Forge Institute to promote robust cybersecurity for our state. This expanded collaboration not only enriches our conference with deep insights into cybersecurity challenges and innovations but also underscores our commitment to protecting our community and the citizens of Arkansas in the digital age. Together, we are setting a benchmark for public-private partnerships, leveraging collective expertise to fortify our defenses against cyber threats and secure critical infrastructure. This partnership exemplifies our proactive and collaborative approach in assembling the finest minds in cybersecurity to advance our state’s and nation's readiness and resilience.” - Hon. Tim Griffin, Attorney General, State of Arkansas
As a nexus for professionals from diverse sectors—industry, academia, government, military, and intelligence—the Summit is not just a place for conversation, it's an incubator for ideas and actions that will shape Arkansas’s and, by extension, America’s cybersecurity posture in an increasingly digital world.
Registration for the Forge Institute Cyber Summit is open, with further details available at www.forge.institute/summit. Join us to be at the forefront of shaping a secure digital future for Arkansas and the nation.
Key Facts
The 5th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit is set to take place on October 7-8, 2024, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This event marks a significant date on the cybersecurity calendar, convening top experts and stakeholders.
This year the Summit will be held alongside the Arkansas Attorney General’s Cybersecurity Summit. This collaboration further enhances the strategic partnership between the Attorney General and Forge Institute to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats and enhance cyber defenses. The scope and breadth of the programming will offer attendees an enriched and eye opening experience.
The collaboration will greatly expand access to cybersecurity knowledge and resources. It aims to strengthen the ties between public and private sector entities in the realm of cyber defense.
The Forge Institute Cyber Summit plays a pivotal role in the organization's broader strategy to cultivate a skilled cyber workforce, drive innovation in cybersecurity solutions, and reinforce collective efforts in defending critical infrastructure.
