Cybersecurity increasingly relies on AI to keep our systems and information safe: what does this trend mean for individuals and organizations? National cybersecurity experts will weigh in at the 2025 Cybersecurity Conference, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 6 on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. The event, organized by the University’s Cybersecurity Center, is free to attend.

“We are moving toward a future where AI and cybersecurity are the two cornerstones of our lives,” Shamik Sengupta, Cybersecurity Center executive director, said. “One will shape the future and how we live in it; the other will provide us resilience. This year’s Cybersecurity Conference will bring the best minds from across campus and the nation to discuss these dual concepts.”

Maria Sumnicht, national cybersecurity director for critical infrastructure with the Department of Homeland Security, will deliver the morning keynote address, “Balancing Risk and Reward: AI in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity — a Double-Edged Sword?” Guy Shanny, IBM data and AI security leader, will give the afternoon keynote, “Securing Enterprise AI: Risks, Emerging Threats and Practical Steps for Protection.”

Ameya Kawimandan of Palo Alto Networks also will discuss AI-generated phishing attacks and the resilience of government organizations such as the state of Nevada in light of those threats, one of many Byte Talk sessions. The conference is rounded out by a Capture the Flag cybersecurity challenge that runs throughout the event and a poster session featuring the work of University students and faculty. See the full agenda and register for the event at the Cybersecurity Conference website.

The conference is organized by the University’s Cybersecurity Center, a group of interdisciplinary faculty members working with industry partners to develop holistic solutions to cybersecurity challenges. The annual event is in its sixth year. The Cybersecurity Center participates in the cybersecurity M.S. degree program (both online and on-site); two undergraduate minors; and a cross-disciplinary graduate certificate in cybersecurity. The College of Engineering’s Bachelor of Science in computer science and engineering with a minor in cybersecurity is recognized by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).