Home›Symposium›Past Events›2023 Symposium

Event Recap · October 3, 2023

2nd Annual Tech Valley
Cybersecurity Symposium

Held October 3, 2023 at Rivers Casino in Schenectady, NY. A full morning of education for business leaders on industry best practices, cyber insurance, and emerging cybersecurity threats — with keynote speaker Wes Spencer of CyberFOX.

Rivers Casino, Schenectady, NY

October 3, 2023

Business Leaders & CIOs

All Past Symposiums 2026 Symposium

2023 Keynote & Presenters

A day with national cybersecurity, insurance, and risk experts

From the keynote on the state of cybersecurity to deep dives on cyber insurance, breach methodology, and industry best practices.

Wes Spencer

VP, CyberFOX · Keynote & Panel Moderator

Nationally recognized technology innovator and co-founder of multiple cybersecurity companies. 2020 Cybersecurity Educator of the Year. Co-host of the CyberCall reaching 5,000+ MSPs weekly.

Shehzad Mirza

CSO, CyberWA

Industry Best Practices for Securing Your Business. Former Director of IT Security Operations for the Global Cyber Alliance and the Center for Internet Security (CIS).

Brendan Hall

Senior VP, Alliant Insurance Services

How to Obtain the Proper Cyber Insurance for Your Business. 20+ years in cybersecurity with deep expertise in cyber risk, breach response, and cyber insurance underwriting.

Tyler Wrightson

Founder, Leet Cyber Security

How a Hacker Penetrates Your Business. Live, attacker-perspective walkthrough of the techniques real adversaries use to compromise small and mid-market businesses.

Tush Nikollaj

CEO, LogicalNet

Welcoming remarks setting the stage for the day’s discussion on the rising threat landscape facing Upstate New York businesses and the role of community-driven cybersecurity education.

Panel

Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity

Moderated by Wes Spencer, CyberFOX

Dr. Erdal Ozkaya

CIO, Xcitium

Thomas Hallisey

Digital Health Strategy Director, HANYS

Michelle Merola

Partner, Hodgson Russ

Jim Peterson

Principal Solutions Advisor, ConnectWise

James Morrison

National Cyber Security Specialist, Intelisys

View All Past Symposiums →

Thank You

2023 Sponsors & Partners

A heartfelt thanks to the organizations that supported the 2nd Annual Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium.

2023 Agenda

Event schedule

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 – 9:05 AM

Welcoming Remarks

Tush Nikollaj, CEO, LogicalNet

9:05 – 10:00 AM

Keynote

Wes Spencer, VP, CyberFOX

10:00 – 10:40 AM

Industry Best Practices for Securing Your Business

Shehzad Mirza, CSO, CyberWA

11:00 – 11:45 AM

How to Obtain the Proper Cyber Insurance for Your Business

Brendan Hall, Senior VP, Alliant Insurance Services

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Panel: Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity

Moderator: Wes Spencer. Panelists: Dr. Erdal Ozkaya (Xcitium), Thomas Hallisey (HANYS), Michelle Merola (Hodgson Russ), Jim Peterson (ConnectWise), James Morrison (Intelisys)

12:30 – 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 PM

How a Hacker Penetrates Your Business

Tyler Wrightson, Founder, Leet Cyber Security

2:00 PM

Closing

Save the Date

Join us for the 2026 Symposium

Registration for the 5th Annual Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium is now open, free to attend, limited seating.

2nd Annual Tech ValleyCybersecurity Symposium