Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Jonathan Behnke, Chief Information Officer, City of San Diego

Keynote – The Age of Digital Disruption: Moving Forward, Faster

Technology advancements continue to disrupt at a swifter pace than ever before. 2024 witnessed the impact of AI in all sectors, and this year the public sector is required to adapt and adopt at a speed unheard of in the past. For the rest of our careers, intelligence will be built into all devices, applications, and processes. This changes how we must think about the use of data and the integration of humans and machines. What are the crucial strategies for adapting to and maximizing the benefits of these advancements? This session will have you ready to move forward at high speed as it paints a vibrant picture showing how synthetic intelligence can amplify current systems and our workforce.

Scott Klososky, Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author and Consultant

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Building a Foundation for Innovation: Aligning AI and IT

Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize government IT, but its success depends on strong AI governance. Just as IT governance ensures responsible technology management, AI governance must align to drive ethical, transparent, and effective adoption. In this session we will discuss best practices, policy considerations, and how integrated governance empowers employees to innovate with AI while maintaining accountability.

Incident Response Preparedness: Building Proactive Threat Resilience

As governments grapple with heightened security threats and insecure resources, Incident Response preparedness is more essential than ever. This session explores practical strategies for enhancing incident readiness, planning effectively for uncertainty, and understanding critical downstream implications including impacts on cyber insurance, compliance obligations, and operational continuity. Join us to learn actionable approaches to bolster your organization’s resilience and ensure you're prepared from A to Z.

Chad Vargason, Chief Information Security Officer, County Technology Office, County of San Diego

Brendan M. Daly, Chief Information Security Officer, City of San Diego

Show Me the Data: Making the Data-Driven Case to Business

Demonstrating the business value of technology projects to stakeholders outside of IT can be challenging. How can you quantify public value, demonstrate ROI, communicate technical needs in business language, and leverage data visualization to tell persuasive stories? Drawing from their diverse experiences, our panel will discuss data-backed business cases and practical techniques to translate technical requirements into compelling arguments that will resonate with business-side decision makers.

Diana Fuentes, City Clerk, Office of the City Clerk, City of San Diego

Rajdeep Singh, PhD., Technology Manager, County Technology Office, County of San Diego

Lunch

Bits and Bytes – Cybersecurity Today: Finding Resources in the Face of Uncertainty

As cyber threats continue to evolve and grow while resources shrink, government agencies must find innovative ways to strengthen their security posture. This session explores the challenges of IT and OT convergence, the need for greater visibility in OT environments, and how to maximize collaboration to fill resource gaps. Join us to learn about practical strategies and available resources that can help organizations build a resilient cybersecurity program despite funding and operational constraints.

Moderator: Brendan M. Daly, Chief Information Security Officer, City of San Diego

Nathan Short, Director IT, Encinitas Union School District

Terry Loftus, Assistant Superintendent & CIO, San Diego County Office of Education and Chair, Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Data Governance: IT's Evolving Strategic Role

Data governance has emerged as a critical foundational piece where IT and business needs intersect, demanding formalized policies as governments digitize and manage exponentially increasing volumes of information. This session will explore IT's multifaceted role in collaborating with non-IT stakeholders, responding to external mandates, and implementing data governance frameworks. Panelists will discuss IT's evolving governance role, strategies for ensuring clean data, and collaborative approaches that position IT as a crucial partner in managing organizational data assets.

Marc Webb, Deputy Director, Office of the City Clerk, City of San Diego

Broadband Master Plan: Advancing Digital Equity in San Diego

San Diego’s Broadband Master Plan aims to increase broadband availability and affordability, focusing on under connected communities. This session explores the ongoing implementation of the plan, the role of public and private partnerships in expanding broadband infrastructure, and efforts to foster digital equity. Learn how San Diego is addressing the challenges of resource allocation, adoption, and community involvement to ensure equitable internet access for all residents, enhancing both economic opportunities and social inclusion.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by: Jonathan Behnke, Chief Information Officer, City of San Diego

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – AI in Action: From Promise to Practice

From improving public services to streamlining internal operations, AI is transforming government at all levels. This session explores real-world AI use cases, highlighting successful pilots and emerging possibilities. Learn how agencies are leveraging AI for public-facing initiatives like language translation and document search, as well as internal efficiencies in records management and service delivery. Join us for a discussion on what’s working, what’s next, and how AI can enhance both constituent engagement and government operations.

Moderator: Monique Scott, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.