Zero Trust Facts for
CIOs & CISO: From the Creator

Registration & Networking

Welcome/Introductions

From Breach to Boardroom: Legal Lessons in Cybersecurity Strategy
[Discussion Pod #1]

In this talk, our Attorney (partner) distills key lessons from high-profile cases and confidential client engagements, showing how companies have navigated ransomware demands, disclosure dilemmas, and cross-border data incidents. In today’s high-stakes cyber environment, technical defenses are only part of the story — the real test comes when legal, regulatory, and business pressures collide. In this fast-paced talk, he’ll share what works, what fails, and what every executive should know before the next crisis hits — from structuring contracts to withstand supply chain attacks, to leveraging breach response as a catalyst for lasting governance improvements.

Start-Up Showcase - Contestant #1

Zero Trust for Leaders: Building Antifragile Security in the Age of AI
[Discussion Pod #2]

John Kindervag — creator of the Zero Trust model — will share how CxOs can combine Zero Trust with AI and machine learning to create “antifragile” security environments. Zero Trust isn’t just a cybersecurity framework — in 2025, it’s a business strategy that gets stronger under pressure. 

Drawing from 25+ years advising global enterprises, and the 15th anniversary since he created Zero Trust, John will challenge traditional “risk management” thinking, expand on the practicalities of the commonly known 5-step Zero Trust methodology, explain his focus on protect surfaces (not perimeters), and debunk some of the many myths about Zero Trust!   

You’ll walk away with:

• A leadership-level view of Zero Trust strategy in the AI era
• How progressive CISOs are using it to reduce danger, not just “manage risk”
• Practical steps to align initiatives with business priorities and regulatory demands

This talk and the subsequent discussion will equip participants with immediately actionable insights to strengthen security, reduce attack surfaces, and future-proof their organizations.

Networking & Organized Interaction Break

Start-Up Showcase - Contestant #2

Cyber Warfare: Truth, Tactics, and the Future of Digital Conflict
[Discussion Pod #3]

Dr. Chase Cunningham—“Dr. Zero Trust”—pulls back the curtain on the realities of cyber warfare. In an era where borders are invisible and the battlefield is everywhere, he will draw on decades of military, intelligence, and industry experience. Chase unpacks the strategies, players, and technologies shaping today’s digital conflicts—from AI-powered disinformation campaigns to drone-enabled hybrid warfare.

Through real-world case studies, including lessons from Russia–Ukraine and the shadowy operations of APT groups, he reveals why critical infrastructure, healthcare, and finance are the new front lines—and why attribution, deterrence, and defense are harder than ever. You’ll gain a field commander’s view of the evolving threat landscape, the geopolitical forces driving it, and the innovations (and missteps) that will define the next decade of cyber conflict.

Following this high-energy talk, Chase will join a moderated discussion where participants can dive deeper into the most pressing questions: What does “preparedness” actually mean in a boundaryless digital war? How can leaders protect their organizations when nation-states and non-state actors blur the lines of conflict? And what role will Zero Trust—and your own strategic thinking—play in surviving the next wave?

Inside the Threat Landscape: FBI Insights for Building Zero Trust Resilience

Special Agent Michael Kelly of the FBI’s Boston Field Office will brief executives on the most pressing cyber threats facing enterprises today—from nation-state actors and organized crime to insider risks and supply chain vulnerabilities. Drawing on real cases and intelligence, he will highlight what CISOs must know to strengthen defenses, foster information-sharing with federal partners, and apply Zero Trust principles to mitigate emerging risks. This candid session provides a rare executive-level perspective on the adversaries shaping today’s threat environment and the strategies needed to stay ahead.

Reception & Networking

Refreshments, food, cocktails & discussions till 7pm