2024 National Security Conference

March 21 & 22, 2024 | Brinkley Commons | Raymond A. Mason School of Business 

Thurs. March 21  

5:00 - 5:10 p.m. Welcome Remarks

Kathryn H. Floyd, Director, Whole of Government Center of Excellence, William & Mary

Margaret Hu, Taylor Reveley Research Professor, Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School

Anthony Stefanidis, Professor of Computer Science, Director, William & Mary Data Science

5:10 - 6:30 p.m. Fireside Chat: “Data Revolution and National Security Evolution”   

Shane Harris, Intelligence and National Security Correspondent, The Washington Post

Stephanie Pell, Fellow in Governance Studies, The Brookings Institution, and Senior Editor, Lawfare

6:30 p.m. Opening Reception

Co-sponsored by William & Mary Public Policy and Reves Center for International Studies

Fri. March 22 

8:30 - 8:40 a.m. Introduction & Welcome Remarks

Peggy Agouris, Provost, William & Mary 

Kathryn H. Floyd, Director, Whole of Government Center of Excellence, William & Mary

8:40 - 8:45 a.m. Video Welcome from Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) 

8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Senior Leadership Panel: “Future of Data, AI, & Cyber Defense”  
Senior leaders will provide a thought-provoking fireside chat that will delve into the dynamic landscape of data management, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, exploring their pivotal roles in shaping the future of national defense strategies. The discussion will include cutting-edge technologies, emerging threats, and innovative solutions poised to redefine how nations safeguard their interests in an increasingly digital world. Gain invaluable insights into the intersection of data analytics, AI-driven decision-making, and robust cyber defense measures, ensuring readiness and resilience in the face of evolving security challenges. 
 
Panelists:  

Chon Abraham, Mansfield Professor of Business/Information Systems, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary (Moderator)

Piret Pernik, Cybersecurity Researcher, NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence

Eileen Vidrine, Chief Data and AI Officer, U.S. Air Force

9:45 - 10:45 a.m.    Panel #1: “Compliance vs. Security vs. Privacy” 
Distinguished experts will convene to dissect the complex challenges and opportunities inherent in reconciling regulatory compliance requirements, robust security protocols, and the imperative of safeguarding individual privacy rights. Through dynamic dialogue, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the delicate balance required to navigate these critical domains effectively, offering invaluable insights for business, defense, and policymakers alike. 
 
Panelists:  

Rob Cochran, Co-founder, Bawn, former Cyber Crimes Investigations Supervisior, Federal Bureau of Investigation (ret.)

Anne Fealey, Global Chief Privacy Officer, Citi 

Andrea Matwyshyn, Professor of Law and Engineering Policy/Professor of Engineering Design, Penn State Law/Penn State Engineering

Przemek Praszczalek, Director, Identity Products & Innovation, Cybersecurity & Intelligence division, Mastercard Inc.

Anthony Stefanidis, Professor of Computer Science, Director, William & Mary Data Science (Moderator)

Edward Tuorinsky, Founder & Managing Principal, DTS

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.  Networking Break 

11:00 - 11:35 a.m.  Keynote Address 

Eric Goldstein, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity (CSD), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)  

11:35 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Working Lunch 

Introduction by David Yalof, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, William & Mary

Presentations by Project on International Peace and Security fellows, William & Mary Global Innovation Challenge, and DisinfoLab
 
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Panel #2: Securing Critical Infrastructure in the Age of AI and other Emerging  
Technologies 
Subject matter experts will dissect the evolving landscape of safeguarding essential infrastructure against emerging threats in an era defined by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The panel will explore the intricate challenges and innovative strategies aimed at fortifying critical assets against cyber-attacks and disruptions. Join us for a dynamic exchange of insights and best practices, as we collectively navigate the intersection of AI, emerging technology, cybersecurity, and national defense in ensuring the resilience and integrity of vital infrastructure networks. 
 
Panelists: 

Glenn Ballard, President/CEO, Founder, Dragonfli Group

Dan Bowden, CISO, Marsh Global

David Burg, Group Head, Cyber, Kroll

Iria Giuffrida, Assistant Dean for Academic & Faculty Affairs, Professor of the Practice of Law, William & Mary Law School (Moderator)

2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Special Address 

Major General James W. Ring, Adjutant General of Virginia
 
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Networking Break

2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Panel #3: Cyber Attacks, AI Weaponry, & the Future of National  
Security Policy 
This panel will explore how cyber conflict and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are impacting national security strategies, and a transformation of military modernization and intelligence approaches. Contemporary threats, including information warfare and cyber attacks, require a reexamination of governance frameworks surrounding AI oversight, and strengthening cybersecurity and data privacy. The national security implications of AI, therefore, involves a close interrogation of the role of domestic and international law in regulating AI tools to mitigate a growing body of threats that are technologically-driven and rely upon AI weaponry. 
 
Panelists:  

Jocelyn Aqua, Principal of Data, risk, Privacy, & AI Governance, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Merritt Baer, CISO; Advisor, Expanso; Board of Advisors, BlackGirlsHack; Co-Founder, Tech and Roses; former Deputy CISO, AWS

Ashley Deeks, Class of 1948 Professor of Scholarly Research in Law, University of Virginia Law School

Trenton Ford, Assitant Professor of Data Science, William & Mary

Margaret Hu, Taylor Reveley Research Professor, Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School (Moderator)

Davi Ottenheimer, Vice President of Trust and Digital Ethics, Inrupt

3:45 - 4:45 p.m. Panel #4: Understanding the New Landscape for Security 
In an information society and digital economy, it is increasingly imperative to consider how best to balance technological innovation aims with democratic and constitutional governance objectives. Vision 2026, W&M’s strategic plan, invites a conversation on data and democracy. This interdisciplinary panel led by the Global Research Institute (GRI) explores how national security goals are inclusive of broader conceptualizations of security, including cognitive security, climate and water/environmental preservation, health and food security, and data protection and cybersecurity. This panel discusses how the new landscape for security has the potential to reinforce democracy. 
 
Panelists: 

Kira Allmann, Ph.D., Director, Partnerships & Communications, Global Research Institute, William & Mary (Moderator)

Amy Gaudion, Associate Professor of Law, Penn State Dickinson Law, and Founder of Annual Cyberspace Simulation with U.S. Army War College

Elizabeth Losh, Ph.D., Duane A. and Virginia S. Dittman Professor of English & American Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, William & Mary 

Julia Mossbridge, Acting Chief Scientific Officer, LightRoot; Affiliated Professor, University of San Diego Department of Physics and Biophysics

Russ Travers, Senior Advisor, DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, former Acting Director and Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center

Roger Yee, Managing Partner, Outcome/One

4:45 p.m. Closing Remarks 

Kathleen T. Jabs, Special Assistant to the President for Military and Veteran Affairs, William & Mary