CIO & CISO Think Tank

Enterprises are at a pivotal moment in their security and networking evolution. Hybrid work is permanent, cloud and SaaS adoption continue to accelerate, and AI-driven threats are increasing both in speed and sophistication. As users, applications, and data move beyond the traditional perimeter, enterprises must deliver consistent security and optimized access—everywhere—without increasing operational complexity.

This keynote explores how Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) provides a unified, architecture-driven approach to converging networking and security. Attendees will gain a practical roadmap for evolving toward a scalable SASE strategy in 2026—one that strengthens identity-centric controls, simplifies operations, reduces architectural sprawl, and enables enterprises to modernize incrementally while protecting existing investments.

Emerging technologies are no longer isolated innovations, they are converging forces reshaping the enterprise core. From agentic AI and quantum computing to edge intelligence, composable architectures, and post-quantum security, today’s Chief Architects are redefining how organizations design for resilience, speed, and scale.

This high-impact panel brings together leading Chief Architects to explore how enterprise architecture must evolve to support autonomous systems, real-time data ecosystems, and cloud-native platforms—without compromising governance, interoperability, or long-term sustainability. The discussion will move beyond hype to focus on practical design patterns, modernization strategies, and architectural principles that enable innovation at scale.

Three out of five organizations say it is likely or highly likely that data leakage will occur based on their current IT and security infrastructure. This new survey data reflects the high volume of sensitive data flowing through consumer web browsers and the complexities involved in keeping it secure. Join this session to discover a new approach to enterprise operations -- the modern alternative to legacy systems, inefficient application delivery methods, and outdated security controls.

Attendees will discover:

• How the steady accumulation of disparate IT and security solutions creates technical debt.
• Why operational and security challenges impact not just IT -- but end user productivity and the business itself
• A new, modern approach to enterprise application delivery that simplifies IT, strengthens security, and enhances end user productivity.

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.

How do you build a cybersecurity program in the face of a future of increasing unknowns? AI-driven and AI-augmented attacks, supply chain attacks, and quantum computing are changing the security threats that we currently protect against, in both predictable and unpredictable ways. Being able to defend against these new threats will take more than just point solutions - it will require a culture of adaptability and a structure that can learn and flex to meet these new challenges. Born from experiences where chaos has forced organizations to change, learn how to build adaptability into your security program.

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.

In a world obsessed with digital transformation, AI, and automation, it’s easy to forget the power of human connection. But the truth is technology doesn’t lead, people do. As roles evolve and teams become more cross-functional, the ability to listen, influence, adapt, and collaborate has become just as critical as technical expertise.

Today’s CIOs, CISOs, and tech leaders are expected not only to drive innovation, but to communicate across departments, manage diverse teams, and navigate uncertainty with empathy and clarity. Emotional intelligence, storytelling, active listening, and resilience are no longer “nice to have” they’re essential for anyone leading in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

Nowhere is this leadership shift more relevant than in the US particularly in Minneapolis, a city built on creativity, reinvention, and cultural diversity. Here, the ability to connect across perspectives isn’t just a professional skill—it’s a way of life. As tech and business worlds converge, Minneapolis’s unique blend of innovation and human-centered thinking offers the perfect backdrop to explore how soft skills are reshaping the future of leadership.

This session dives into why the most successful executives are blending EQ with IQ to inspire trust, build alignment, and drive lasting impact.