Join us and learn from experts in the cybersecurity field!
Conference Description:
With a staggering 500% increase in cyberattacks over the last five years it’s no longer a question of if you will be attacked but when. Join us for an engaging afternoon where you and your leadership team will gain insights and practical strategies to pro-actively protect your business and be better prepared for an attack. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn best practices, understand the rapidly evolving cybersecurity compliance landscape and walk away with a holistic view of cybersecurity impacts across their organization.
Topics Include:
- Navigating the evolving threat landscape: Staying ahead in the cybersecurity arms race
- The Calm Within the Storm: Leading Through a Crisis
- Cyberinsurance 101 – What type of policy do you need and common claim problems (NBT Insurance)
- Legal Troubles – What policies, plans, reporting and practices do you need to have in place (BSK law firm)
- Compliance Beyond IT – (Lauren Usherwood – Chief Human Resources Officer and Theresa Pickens – Compliance Paralegal)
Here is the day at a glance!
11:45- 12:30: Registration and Lunch
12:45: Opening remarks
Marny Nesher – President – The Central New York Business Journal
Lindsay Usherwoood – Owner and General Counsel – Usherwood Office Technology
1:00 - 1:45: Navigating the evolving threat landscape: Staying ahead in the cybersecurity arms race
Buckle up — the cyber threat landscape of 2025 is a thrilling (and somewhat terrifying) journey! With cybercriminals leveling up their skills and wielding advanced tools like digital supervillains, the consequences for individuals, businesses, and governments are more dire than ever. As cybercriminals gain increased access to advanced tools and exploit evolving technologies, the consequences for individuals, businesses, and governments grow increasingly dire. This session will explore the expanding capabilities of threat actors operating with relative impunity, leveraging Dark AI and other emerging technologies to orchestrate more precise, devastating attacks.
Attendees will gain insight into:
The rise of Dark AI — artificial intelligence deployed maliciously by cybercriminals to automate, enhance, and diversify their attacks, leading to more effective social engineering, malware creation, and network infiltration.
The global implications of these enhanced cyber threats, including potential attacks on critical infrastructure, healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government networks.
The risks associated with uninformed AI usage, where individuals and organizations inadvertently expose sensitive data to AI systems, creating new vulnerabilities.
Practical strategies to safeguard against these advanced threats, including adopting a proactive cybersecurity posture, AI risk mitigation practices, and enhancing organizational cyber resilience.
Join us for a candid (and slightly alarming) look at the 2025 cyber threat landscape, where we promise not to leave you paranoid — just prepared!
Speaker Bio – Steve Stasiukonis serves as President of Secure Network Technologies, focusing on Penetration Testing, Information Security Risk Assessments, Incident Response, Digital Forensic Investigations and Training. He has worked in the field of Information Security for over 28 years. As a part of that experience, Steve is an expert in Social Engineering methodologies and strategy. He also carries numerous security certifications from various organizations and serves as a columnist for Information Week magazine and DarkReading.
1:45 - 2:30: Calm Within the Storm: Leading Through a Crisis
A common saying in business, often wrongly attributed to Winston Churchill, is “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” The idea behind it is sensible: we should all seek lessons to learn in any crisis to avoid having to learn them again in the future. But what about leading through a crisis? It’s certainly easier said than done – but fret not! Join this session to hear from Randy Rose, a long-time cybersecurity leader with real-world crisis management experience, who will pull from historical examples and provide practical tips for changing your thinking when it comes to handling a crisis. Attendees can expect to walk away with a new understanding of what constitutes a crisis, how simple steps can help proactively mitigate risk, and where to find resources for incident response planning, crisis communications, and simplified decision making. The session will be fun, entertaining, and most importantly, participants will walk away having learned the best kind of lessons: those that were first learned by someone else.
Speaker Bio – Randy Rose has over 20 years of experience across local, state, and federal government. He currently leads Security Operations & Intelligence at the Center for Internet Security. In this role, he oversees the execution of CIS’ Security Operations Center, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber Incident Response, and Cyber Red Team missions. Previously, he led the largest Joint DoD Security Operations Center in Europe and headed the Intelligence Department for the Navy’s Defensive Cyber Operations Task Force. After serving as an active duty airman in the U.S. Air Force, he became New York State’s first local government-focused penetration tester. With an academic foundation in anthropology, political science, and cybersecurity, Randy focuses on the human side of security, strategic partnerships, and leadership that empowers.
2:30 - 2:45: Break
2:45 - 3:15: Cyber insurance 101 – What type of policy do you need and common claim problems
Tucker Lounsberry – President NBT Insurance
Cyber insurance can be a safety net—or a missed opportunity—if you don’t have the right coverage. This session will break down the types of cyber policies available, what to look for in your coverage, and the most common issues that lead to denied claims. Get clear, practical insights to ensure your business is truly protected.
Speaker Bio: Tucker Lounsbury is President of NBT Insurance Agency, LLC, a full-service independent agency and subsidiary of NBT Bank. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, he has held leadership roles at M&T Insurance Agency and Great American Insurance Company. Lounsbury is a Certified Insurance Counselor and holds a B.A. in Economics from Union College.
3:15 - 3:45: Legal Troubles – What policies, plans, reporting and practices do you need to have in place
Amber Lawyer – Co-Chair of Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice Group at Bond Schoeneck and King
When a cyber incident strikes, the time to prepare is long gone. In this session you will walk through the essential policies, response plans, documentation practices, and reporting protocols every organization should have in place to stay compliant and protected. Don’t wait until it’s too late—learn what legal readiness really looks like.
Speaker Bio: Amber Lawyer is Co-Chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice at Bond, Schoeneck & King. A Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, CIPP/E), she advises clients across sectors on privacy compliance, data breach response, and technology transactions. Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Amber is a frequent speaker on cybersecurity law and emerging data protection issues.
3:45 - 4:00: Compliance Beyond IT
Lauren Usherwood – Chief Human Resources Officer and Theresa Pickens – Compliance Paralegal at Usherwood Office Technology
In this session, you will learn the critical role HR, operations and other non-IT groups play in building a culture of compliance. Learn how cross-department collaboration can strengthen your organization’s risk posture and ensure you’re protected beyond the network.
Speaker Bio: Theresa Pickens is a Compliance Paralegal at Usherwood Office Technology, where she supports internal Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) initiatives. Prior to joining Usherwood, she served as a Compliance Paralegal at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete. Theresa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University at Buffalo and an MBA from Medaille College.
Speaker Bio: Lauren Usherwood is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Usherwood Office Technology and a third-generation co-owner. She has held various roles in human resources and business development. In her current position, she oversees the company’s human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, employee development, and culture initiatives, aiming to promote an inclusive workplace and enhance the overall employee experience. She is a certified SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional).
4:00 – 4:15: Wrap and Q&A panel discussion
All speakers
4:15 - 5:00: Networking Reception
For more information, email registration@bizeventz.com.
Come engage with industry experts and network with peers at Drumlins, June 10, 2025
For more information, email registration@bizeventz.com.