Meet DEF CON Hacker of the Year and Other Tech Leaders at Expert Summit in Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama is set to host the Southeast Cybersecurity Summit (SCS) on April 10-11, which will serve as a platform to bring together some of the world’s most prominent tech leaders, including the DEF CON Hacker of the Year. This event is geared towards enhancing local cybersecurity practices, facilitating networking among like-minded tech professionals, and offering exciting career advancement opportunities.

Keynote Speaker Lesley Carhart

Kicking off the summit with a stimulating fireside chat is Lesley Carhart, the Director of Incident Response for North America at Dragos, Inc. Carhart’s role at Dragos involves safeguarding the world’s most critical infrastructures—encompassing running water, electricity, and safe industrial working environments—from potential threats.

Carhart is retired from the United States Air Force Reserves and has earned several prestigious accolades in her career, such as the “DEF CON Hacker of the Year”, “SANS Difference Maker”, and “Power Player” by SC Magazine. When not hard at work, Carhart indulges her passion for youth martial arts instruction.

Insights from Tech Leaders

Attendees will have the chance to learn from esteemed tech leaders and mingle with professionals sharing the same interest. Willie Clemons, Director of Identity and Access Management at EBSCO, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, “We have an opportunity for people in the Southeast to come to Birmingham and catch up on cybersecurity news and practices. You can’t beat getting this content for this price. If nothing more, it gives you a chance to see what other technologies and opportunities are out there.”

Building Community Through Cybersecurity

Alongside enriching keynote speeches and learning sessions, the summit will feature various breakout sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities with security-based vendors across the region. The community-building aspect of the event will also be enhanced through the “Passport to Prizes”, where visiting at least 18 vendors may win you a pair of Beats Headphones and more!

Event Essentials

The SCS has been organized to boost and promote internet security professions across Southeast U.S. Whether you’re a Senior Executive for a large corporation or simply an intriguied citizen, this Summit has something to offer everyone.

Here’s what you need to know about this two-day event:

• Hosts: Central Alabama Information Systems Security Association (CA-ISSA), InfraGard Birmingham Member Alliance (IBMA), TechBirmingham
• When: April 10-11
• Where: BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203
• Tickets: Varies, depending on industry, faculty, government, military, and student status

All registrations include breakfast and lunch, plus full access to sessions and networking events. A bonus 20% discount is on offer for group registrations of five or more people.

Witness the Future of AI and Cybersecurity

The various tracks offered at the SCS will cater to a range of interests. These include taking a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence and its implications for security professionals, designed for professionals involved in compliance, audit, and risk management within the cybersecurity realm, and an Executive Cybersecurity Strategy that caters to senior executives and decision-makers responsible for cybersecurity strategies within their organizations. A Technical Excellence track is also tailored for cybersecurity practitioners, experts, and enthusiasts who are eager to delve into the technical aspects of their field.