7:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast

8:10 a.m. – Welcome Remarks
• Jeff Griffin, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
• Chris Aeilts, SDN Communications

8:30 a.m. – Morning Keynote
• Small Business Cybersecurity: Strategies and Budgeting: Cybersecurity is crucial for businesses, especially small ones facing unique challenges. Natalie will offer practical strategies to enhance defenses, covering risk assessment, essential tools, and common threats like phishing and malware. Attendees will learn the importance of regular audits and updates, and how to budget effectively for cybersecurity. Proper budgeting is vital to ensure robust protection without overburdening finances. By the end, participants will be equipped with steps to protect their operations and customer data, ensuring a secure digital environment.

Presented by: Natalie Suarez, ConnectWise
Natalie is a Principal Solutions Advisor for ConnectWise. She is responsible for providing thought leadership and education around managing cyber risk for ConnectWise partners and their clients. She was named an IT Channel Executive on the 2023 Channel Chief’s list. As part of her work to advance the channel and deliver successful programs and strategies, she launched the IT Nation Evolve™ cybersecurity peer group and is Vice Chair Nominee on the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) Information Sharing and Analysis Organization’s (ISAO) Governance Committee.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

9:30 a.m.
• Communication in Security: The topic of cyber security is often a difficult conversation to navigate when it comes to getting buy-in from your management, other employees and even the rest of the technology team. The question many IT security professionals ask themselves is how can we make this relationship with our peers better, so that we can best protect our infrastructure? Communication in security provides a quick overview on best practices to create an engaging security environment to help security professionals communicate effectively and implement positive change in their environments.

Presented by: Katelyn Flowers-Velasquez, Black Hills Energy
Senior Security Analyst for Black Hills Energy, Katelyn Flowers-Velasquez works to ensure cyber security compliance and best practices are kept a priority from cloud security engineering to vulnerability management. Katelyn is also the Vice President for the South Dakota InfraGard chapter and a board member for the Cyber Security Council of South Dakota.

•Navigating CMMC: Challenges for DoD Contractors and the vCISO Solution: This session will explore seven key challenges DoD contractors face in achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), including asset categorization, external service provider compliance, assessment objectives, regulatory timelines, and cost considerations. In addition to outlining these challenges, the session will highlight how a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) can play a critical role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of CMMC preparation. Attendees will gain insights into preparing for CMMC Level 2 certification, understanding assessment requirements, and managing associated costs—while also learning how a vCISO can provide strategic guidance, policy development, and ongoing support throughout the certification journey. Whether you’re new to CMMC or well into your compliance efforts, this session offers valuable strategies and expert perspectives to support a successful path forward.

Presented by: Anders Erickson & Rick Olivier, Eide Bailly LLP
Anders Erickson is a Principal in the Risk Advisory Services group at Eide Bailly LLP, bringing over 20 years of expertise in cybersecurity auditing, compliance, and consulting. He spent a decade managing and executing IT security audits and consulting projects at federal agencies, including the DoD, DHS, and the Intelligence Community.  For the past ten years, Anders has focused on applying those same risk and control principles to Eide Bailly’s diverse portfolio of small and mid-sized clients. Anders led efforts for Eide Bailly to become an authorized CMMC C3PAO and holds certifications as a Certified Information System Security Professional, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Lead CMMC Certified Assessor.

Rick Olivier is the Cybersecurity Advisory Sales Director for Eide Bailly, with over 20 years of leadership experience in cybersecurity sales, business development, and innovation. He has worked with hundreds of clients across regulated industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and technology, designing tailored cyber assessments, governance programs, and vCISO services.

• Strategic Cyber Risk Management: Transforming Insurance from Expense to Asset: Learn how to turn cyber insurance into a strategic asset. We’ll explore ways to lower risks, boost compliance, and cut insurance costs by choosing the right policies and aligning with industry standards. Equip your organization to better handle the cyber threat landscape.

Presented by: Travis Kroger, FifthWall Solutions

10:15 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

10:30 a.m.
•From Supply Chains to Cybersecurity: Why IT Asset Disposal Matters: As critical materials become harder to source and supply chains tighten, managing decommissioned IT equipment has become a growing strategic concern. This session explores where resource scarcity, business risk, and data security intersect—and why IT asset disposition (ITAD) now plays a vital role in both cybersecurity and operational resilience. When done right, it reduces risk, strengthens compliance, and helps protect your organization from rising costs.

Presented by: Clint Parsons & Levi Hentges, SEAM (Secure Enterprise Asset Management)
Clint Parsons is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at SEAM. He works with businesses of all sizes to provide solutions for secure data destruction, responsible recycling, and maximizing the resale value of IT equipment—all while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. 

Levi Hentges is the Vice President of Development at SEAM. He leads strategic initiatives to grow SEAM’s IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services and strengthen its position in the region. Focused on innovation, process improvement, and long-term planning, Levi plays a key role in expanding service capabilities and ensuring operational excellence. He also supports client programs to align ITAD strategies with business goals, compliance needs, and sustainability objectives.

• Malicious Actors and AI: In this session, we’ll explore how malicious actors are using AI, covering various attack vectors and methodologies that now incorporate AI. We will look into how AI is being used to automate attacks, create more convincing phishing campaigns, and even develop new forms of malware.

Presented by: Jordan Arndt, Cerulean Cyber Consulting
Jordan Arndt is a Technical Pen Tester and Security Program Manager with over a decade of experience in the IT and Security industry. His expertise in developing and securing software applications and securing systems has made him a trusted voice in the local information technology community. As co-owner and Lead Cyber Security Consultant at Cerulean Cyber Consulting in Sioux Falls, SD he hopes to help better educate the community about the cyber threats that face them.

11:25 a.m. – Meet back in the ballroom

11:40 a.m. Lunch is served

12:15 p.m. – Afternoon Keynote
•AI + Cybersecurity: Innovation Through Industry Partnership: This presentation highlights Dakota State University’s approach to blending student innovation, faculty research, and industry collaboration to advance AI and cybersecurity. Showcasing partner-driven projects and applied research, we explore how real-world experiences are shaping future professionals and driving meaningful outcomes across education and industry.

Presented by: Dr. Mark Spanier, Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Science
Dr. Mark Spanier is an associate professor in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. He teaches a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of discrete mathematics, cryptography, machine learning and AI, and foundations of computation. He also serves as coordinator of the MS in Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Spanier’s research focuses on applications of AI and machine learning, cryptography, number theory, and signal processing. He serves as co-director of DSU’s Artificial Intelligence Lab and director for the DSU + AI Sweden Industrial Immersion Program, where students collaborate with industry partners to solve real-world challenges in AI and cybersecurity.

1:30 p.m. Closing remarks
•agenda is subject to change