The Future of Cybersecurity & IT

CIO & CISO Think Tank

September 18, 2025 - New York City, NY

Visionaries

Stacey Romanello (1) Banc of California
Stacey Romanello

SVP, Chief Risk Officer

Banc of California

Think Tank Speaker

Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. Founded in 1864, Royal Bank of Canada provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, as well as transaction processing services on a global basis. RBC is headquartered out of Toronto, Ontario.

Amit Basu International Seaways
Amit Basu

VP, CIO & CISO

International Seaways

Think Tank Speaker

Amit Basu is the head of IT and IT Security at International Seaways (INSW). INSW, headquartered in New York City, is one of the largest tanker companies providing energy transportation services worldwide. Amit is a proven IT leader with over 25 years of experience in maritime IT and has pioneered several technology innovations in maritime. Over the last decade, Amit has led a digital transformation in INSW with a Cloud-Only IT strategy and is instrumental in designing a multi-layered cybersecurity framework promoting a cyber resilience culture. Amit holds an MBA as well as a Master of Science degree in Information Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey. He is also a Certified Information Security Manager from ISACA, certified in Cybersecurity Risk Management by HarvardX, Cybersecurity Oversight by Carnegie Mellon University, Maritime Cybersecurity by Lloyds Maritime, and Artificial Intelligence by MIT Sloan School of Management. Amit is an advisory board member for the Cybersecurity program at Pace University and Ithaca College, on the advisory board of Exium, and a member of the Governing Body of New York CIO Executive Summit.

September 18, 2025

Agenda

All times Eastern Time

8:30 AM-9:00 AM

Registration


9:00 AM-9:30 AM

Morning Networking


9:30 AM-9:40 AM

Opening Remarks


9:40 AM-10:05 AM
Vision Voices Keynote

The Future of Generative AI: Transforming Business and Technology

Explore the transformative potential of Generative AI in this forward-looking session, where we will delve into how this cutting-edge technology is set to revolutionize business and technology landscapes. We will discuss emerging trends, anticipated advancements in the next 12-24 months, and their impact on various industries. Learn about practical applications of Generative AI, from enhancing customer experiences to driving innovation and operational efficiency. Our experts will also address the ethical considerations, regulatory challenges, and best practices for successful AI integration. Join us to gain insights into how Generative AI can unlock new opportunities and shape the future of your organization.


10:10 AM-10:35 AM
Keynote

Data Revolution Leadership: CIOs at the Helm of Modernization for Strategic Value

This session explores the pivotal role of CIOs in modernizing data to unlock its full value. In the contemporary digital landscape, data stands as a strategic asset, and CIOs are at the forefront of harnessing its potential. The abstract emphasizes the CIO's responsibility in implementing cutting-edge technologies and data management strategies that go beyond mere storage, enabling organizations to derive actionable insights. By adopting innovative approaches, such as advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud solutions, CIOs can transform data into a valuable resource, driving efficiency, innovation, and informed decision-making across the enterprise. The discussion delves into the evolving responsibilities of CIOs in leading the charge towards data modernization, ensuring organizations remain competitive and agile in an increasingly data-centric world.

10:35 AM-10:55 AM

Coffee Break


10:55 AM-11:40 AM
Panel

Rearchitecting the Enterprise for Agentic AI: Control, Collaboration, and the Next Frontier of Automation

Agentic AI, autonomous systems that perceive, reason, and act with minimal human intervention is poised to redefine how work gets done. As these intelligent agents move beyond experimentation into enterprise-scale deployments, organizations must prepare to fundamentally rearchitect their digital environments.

This panel will explore how leaders can operationalize agentic AI to drive efficiency, creativity, and strategic advantage while preserving oversight, governance, and trust. Discussion topics will include designing workflows around autonomous decision-making, managing human-agent collaboration, and navigating emerging risks such as bias, security, and operational drift. Join us as we unpack what it truly means to lead in an era of intelligent, action-oriented AI and how to ensure these agents serve both your innovation goals and core business values.


11:15 AM-11:50 AM
Fireside Chat

Bridging Strategy and Systems: Aligning Business Goals with IT Innovation

In a world of rapid digital disruption, the most successful organizations are those where business strategy and IT execution move in lockstep. This panel brings together business and IT leaders to explore how to align long-term growth objectives with the right mix of emerging technologies—from AI and cloud platforms to data-driven decision-making and modern application architectures.

Panelists will discuss how to break down silos between departments, drive innovation through collaborative planning, and build agile digital infrastructures that scale with evolving business needs. Expect insights on joint KPIs, governance frameworks, and the cultural shifts required to turn IT from a support function into a strategic growth enabler.


11:50 AM-12:50 PM

Lunch & Disruptor Showcase


12:50 PM-1:25 PM
Fireside Chat

The Future of Cyber Resilience: Winning in a World of Constant Threats

In an era of escalating cyber threats, evolving attack surfaces, and accelerated digital transformation, traditional security models are no longer enough. This keynote will explore what it means to build cyber resilience in today’s complex environment—where speed, adaptability, and business alignment are paramount. From securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments to integrating AI-driven threat intelligence, we’ll examine how leaders can future-proof their security strategies while enabling innovation. Learn how to shift from reactive defense to proactive resilience, ensuring your organization can not only withstand but thrive amid disruption.


1:30 PM-2:15 PM
Panel

Securing the Rise of Agentic AI: Trust, Control, and Resilience in Autonomous Systems

As agentic AI systems evolve from experimental tools to enterprise-grade digital workers—capable of making decisions, taking actions, and adapting in real time—they introduce a new paradigm of both possibility and risk. Unlike traditional automation, agentic AI operates with greater autonomy, raising urgent questions for security leaders: How do we ensure control? How do we manage risk when systems learn, act, and adapt independently?

This panel will explore the security implications of deploying agentic AI across business operations—from data privacy and decision integrity to real-time threat mitigation and adversarial AI risks. We'll dive into the intersection of governance, identity management, and AI observability, and how CISOs can build frameworks that safeguard both the systems and the outcomes.


2:15 PM-2:35 PM

Networking Break


2:35 PM-2:50 PM
Disruptor

What’s AI Doing for You?

The terms "Artificial Intelligence" and "Advanced Machine Learning" are often thought of interchangeably. While there is a relationship between AI and AML, to say they are the same thing is an oversimplification and misclassification. Rather, one begets the other with AI being the basic principle upon which AML is developed. As AI begins to mature and migrate away from purely advanced mathematical operations into decision making paradigms, AML steps forward as the predictive ability of machines to process vast quantities of data. As data and analytics becomes foundational to the way every business operates, AI and AML will become foundational capabilities.

2:55 PM-3:30 PM
Fireside Chat

Cybersecurity Leadership in the Era of AI and ML: Navigating Innovation and Responsibility

In the dynamic realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), CISOs play a pivotal role in leveraging these advancements for enhanced cybersecurity. Strategic integration of AI and ML is essential for bolstering security measures, optimizing decision-making, and driving innovation. CISOs must adopt a comprehensive approach, considering the entire lifecycle of these technologies to ensure both efficiency and ethical use. Establishing robust governance frameworks becomes paramount, addressing biases, ensuring transparency, and minimizing unintended consequences.

Looking ahead, as AI and ML continue to advance, CISOs face evolving challenges and regulatory considerations. Proactive engagement involves staying informed about changing regulations, particularly in areas such as data privacy and ethical AI practices. CISOs should strive for a tech-enabled understanding of AI and ML systems, encompassing deployment, impact, and security measures. This approach positions organizations to navigate the regulatory landscape effectively, ensuring responsible and competitive integration of AI and ML into cybersecurity strategies.


3:35 PM-4:10 PM
Fireside Chat

Innovation Unleashed: Navigating the Future through IT Evolution with CIOs at the Helm

In this session, embark on a transformative exploration of the evolving landscape of IT operations. Delving into the strategic imperative for Chief Information Officers to reshape and modernize their IT operating models, the discussion unfolds the critical role technology plays in driving business success. Participants will gain practical insights into the adaptive strategies CIOs can employ to enhance organizational agility, foster innovation, and align IT with overarching business goals. Join us for a dynamic conversation that unveils the power of evolving IT operating models, empowering organizations to thrive in the ever-evolving digital age.

4:10 PM-4:20 PM

Closing Remarks & Raffle Giveaway


4:20 PM-5:30 PM

Cocktail Networking


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