Emerging Technology Conference 2024

The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Teams of the Future

Presenter: Michael Wasielewski (Capgemini)

Cyber security professionals have evolved over the decades and today’s emerging technologies have put us at another inflection point, where the skills that serve us well now are not necessarily the same skills that we will need in the future. Frameworks and technologies like Zero Trust, Automation with AI, and now Generative AI are creating new opportunities for us to be more efficient and deliver better results, but only if we know how to use them. This discussion will center around how these technologies impact the people and teams expected to use and secure them, and how you can upskill yourself and your teams as these technologies support, not replace, all of us.

Zero Trust Application Framework, Building Security without a Perimeter

Presenter: Nat Bongiovanni (NTT DATA Federal Services)

Zero-Trust is everywhere, but how do you implement it in your applications with the flexibility and agility you need for complex authorization changes? In this presentation, I’ll discuss how to do this by building cloud-ready Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) applications. We will discuss the three components of Zero Trust that enable ZTA as well as the concepts and implementation of policy decision and enforcement points with examples, covering NIST SP 800-204 a, b, and c.

AI-Driven Cybersecurity: Empowering CIOs and CISOs for Enhanced Risk Management and Governance

Presenter: Oki Mek (Microsoft)

The discussion will be the advent of emerging technologies, big data, and a diverse array of teams has amplified the complexities of cybersecurity. We will discuss how AI can empower CIOs and CISOs to do more with less by facilitating connections between people, processes, and technologies. AI can bridge the various entities that constitute a cybersecurity program, such as governance, compliance, risk management, change management, incident management, analysis, dashboarding and reporting. Ultimately, this session will elucidate how AI enables cybersecurity programs to manage risks in real-time and prioritize security activities.

Generative AI in Cybersecurity

Presenter: Jim Wiggins (Federal IT Security Institute – FITSI)

This comprehensive presentation dives into the dynamic intersection of Generative AI and cybersecurity, showcasing its transformative influence in modern digital defense strategies. It highlights how Generative AI is redefining threat detection, streamlining policy frameworks, and enhancing training approaches in cybersecurity. The session will also illuminate the complex ethical questions and privacy challenges posed by advanced AI technologies. Attendees will explore how these intelligent systems can be leveraged responsibly, ensuring robust cyber defenses while maintaining ethical integrity. The discussion will include real-world applications, demonstrating the practical impact of Generative AI in cybersecurity. This insightful exploration is designed to provide a deeper understanding of AI’s role in shaping future cybersecurity landscapes.

Michael Wasielewski
Head of Cloud Security and Next-Gen Secure Architectures @ Capgemini

Moving from outside of Washington D.C. in the US, Michael moved to Paris joining Capgemini in December of 2021. Responsible for global cloud security and next-gen secure architecture portfolio development, Michael brings a robust background ranging from Network Operations and Engineering, running global Information Security teams and modernizing enterprises through their cloud and workplace journeys, and executing as a global Cloud Security specialist. When not playing video games with his two kids or struggling to learn French, Michael wishes he could play more golf or do some more skydiving.

Nat Bongiovanni
CTO and CIO @ NTT DATA Federal Services, Inc

Nat Bongiovanni is the CTO and CIO at NTT DATA Federal Services, Inc. He is a veteran of the United States Navy with nearly 40 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Mr. Bongiovanni thrives on technical challenges and, over the course of his extensive career, has lent his considerable expertise to solving the most difficult challenges facing the government.

Mr. Bongiovani’s vast and varied technical acumen uniquely suits him to lead diverse teams across highly secure and regulated government environments. His thoughtful, pragmatic nature combines with an encyclopedic knowledge of information technology to facilitate strategic growth in his current role. Under Nat’s leadership, NTT DATA Federal Services, the secure arm of a $1B public sector IT organization, had grown exponentially while remaining compliant with the rules and regulations of a FOCI-mitigated organization.

While it is impossible to list the many government clients impacted by Nat’s impeccable critical thinking skills and proven knowledge, Nat and his teams have delivered successful programs at such notable government agencies as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Interior, and many others. Early in his career, Mr. Bongiovanni held leadership positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Oki Mek
CISO @ Microsoft Federal Civilian Sector

Oki Mek recently joined Microsoft as Chief Information Security Officer for the Federal Civilian Sector. His civil servant career spans nearly 20 years inside the federal government. Oki is also a veteran of the Army National Guard, who believes in service to others as a personal mission and purpose. Oki previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Equideum Health. In his U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) roles, he served as the first appointed Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Office of the Secretary, Senior Advisor to the HHS CIO, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Product Officer, and Senior Information Security Manager.

Jim Wiggins
Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) @ the Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI)
CISSP, ISSEP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CySA+, SCNA, SCNP, CAP, IAM, IEM, SSCP, CEH, ECSA, CHFI, LPT, TICSA, CIWSA, Security+, MCSE: Security, FITSP-M

Jim has over 26 years of direct experience in the design, operation, management, and auditing of information technology systems, with the past 21 years focused on information systems security. He has an extensive background in technical education and specializes in security certification courses targeted at federal and government contracting clients.

Today, Jim is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI). FITSI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit certification body accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under ISO 17024:2012. FITSI provides a role-based IT security certification program targeted at the federal workforce. More information on FITSI can be found at https://www.fitsi.org.

Jim is also the Founder and Executive Director of the FITSI Foundation. The FITSI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that focuses on cyber education and serves as the philanthropic sister organization of the Federal IT Security Institute. The FITSI Foundation operates the Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy (W2CCA). More information on FITSI can be found at https://www.fitsi.org.

Additionally, Jim is the Founder and Principal at Securible, LLC. Securible is an information security service provider offering cyber training programs to organizations of all sizes. At Securible, Jim has taught IT security certification courses such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, Ethical Hacking, RMF, Security+, and other courses requested by Securible’s clients. Currently, Jim provides education and training support for the National Risk Management Center (NRMC) at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). More information on Securible can be found at: https://www.securible.com.

In 2020, Jim launched a TV show about cybersecurity called “Cybersecurity Today,” which can be viewed in the Washington, DC area. Episodes can also be streamed online at the following website: https://www.cybersecuritytoday.org.

In 2019, FCW named Jim to the “Federal 100” for his tireless efforts to promote cybersecurity education across all branches of the federal government.

In 2011, the Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association (FISSEA) named him “Educator of the Year” for the ongoing impact he has made in the federal workforce.

Jim holds the following IA/IT security certifications: CISSP, ISSEP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CySA+, SCNA, SCNP, CAP, IAM, IEM, SSCP, CEH, ECSA, CHFI, LPT, TICSA, CIWSA, Security+, and MCSE: Security and FITSP-M.