The Future is Here – with Future Tech DC
Earlier this year, ISACA Greater Washington, D.C. (GWDC) Chapter reinvented its in-person conference presence with the inaugural launch of Future Tech DC. The vision for the Future Tech DC: AI, Cybersecurity, and Trust conference was to host a premier conference for the Greater Washington, DC area in partnership with likeminded cybersecurity and audit non-profit organizations in the area. If you were one of the 240+ attendees who attended the event, you can attest to year one of the conference being a success! Mori Ghazzawi, Director & CTO of AmanaNet described the event as:
“…[a] melting pot where everybody’s here conversing [and] asking all types of questions that you’re not usually being asked…”
Terry Grafenstine presentation. Photo courtesy of Nikkia Henderson
The conference, which was held on May 19, 2025 at George Mason University Arlington campus, focused on the latest threats and trends in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the strategies for implementing effective solutions. The conference brought together an audience of professionals, academics, and change-makers to discuss critical challenges and innovative solutions in technology. Conference participants attended two keynote presentations and had a choice of three learning tracks to choose from throughout the day (general track, government track, or the hands-on track with technical workshops presented by SANS). Additionally, there was an industry exchange to network with DC area organizations. Nirali Shah Chawla, Director of External Relations for ISACA GWDC described the experience as:
“…we’re coming together as one cyber security family answering questions and bringing students [and] industry together.”
Sounil Yu, Lunch Keynote. Photo courtesy of Nikkia Henderson
Future Tech DC boasted an incredible line-up of 19 speakers across industry and public sector from organizations such as NIST, DoD, MITRE, Amazon, Microsoft, PenFed, and SANS to name a few. Keynote speakers for the event included Dave Hoezler, a SANS Fellow and Sounil Yu, the Co-Founder and Chief AI Security Officer at Knostic.
With the incredible line up of speakers and expert insights provided, Muhammad El-Amin, a Federal Technology Assurance Associate at KPMG described his take-away from the conference experience as
“…. the different perspectives around AI and everyone’s feelings towards how it’s going to improve and how it’s going to advance and …. some of the worries, the excitement, [and] concerns…I thought [it] was very very interesting.”
As the Future Tech coordinator, it was important for the planning committee to hand-select sessions that focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies. These topics were intentional to bring relevant, top of mind content to attendees that is immediately applicable. As I attended sessions throughout the day, I appreciated each speaker integrating AI into their presentation and how the conference theme was delicately woven throughout the speaking tracks. There is both excitement and concern about the impact and adoption of artificial intelligence. It was invigorating to see AI fueling conversations throughout the conference. Nathaniel Sisay, Federal IT Senior Associate at KPMG said,
“…seeing how much is in store in our future is pretty interesting.”
Kammy Sanghera, Executive Director Global Partnerships and Tech Talent Development at George Mason University – College of Engineering and Computing shared that:
“…[the] student participation is amazing. I’ve never seen students coming in after the semester is over and graduations are done. And this is amazing to see that they are coming here with full enthusiasm and excited to learn and participate.”
Future Tech DC volunteers. Photo courtesy of Nikkia Henderson.
The multi-organizational conference wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the following partner organizations: ISSA National Capital Chapter, ISSA Northern Virginia Chapter, ISC2 National Capital Region, Code Her Rising, WiCyS Mid-Atlantic, Women in Cyberjutsu, Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Washington, DC, IIA Northern Virginia, ISACA-CMC, and ISACA-VA. ISACA GWDC would like to thank the following sponsors: Kearney & Company, Sikich, KPMG, Significance, AmanaNet, and Forvis Mazars. Additionally, ISACA GWDC would like to thank the conference host, the Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at George Mason University, within the College of Engineering and Computing for the incredible venue providing the community an opportunity to connect and exchange ideas!
Photo courtesy of Nikkia Henderson.
If you attended Future Tech DC 2025, we look forward to seeing you back in 2026. And if you missed the event this year, mark your calendars for Spring 2026 to go back to the future at Future Tech DC 2026!
– Laura Sawka, Director of Special Events for ISACA GWDC
