The Rochester Security Summit is a community focal point for education and awareness in collaboration with higher education, business and industry partners, held during National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The 2018 summit is generously supported by:

  • The Rochester Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
  • The Rochester Chapter of the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
  • ISACA Western New York Chapter

Past collaboration partners have also included:

  • Rochester InfraGard
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • University of Rochester Information Technology Office
  • Many Area businesses and organizations

The Summit features speakers and panels to help educate area security and IT professionals, business managers, organizations and our community on how to protect information systems and data. For more information contact us.  Sponsors are vital for a quality event and we provide an exhibit area for attendees to learn more from technology leaders.  For more information about becoming a sponsor please see sponsorships.  We invite you to participate in our programs as a volunteer in the planning and event efforts. With your help and support, your organization and our community can benefit from greater security practices.

History of the Summit

  • Started in 2006
  • Fostered by Rochester Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association and local non-profit organizations
  • Planning Committee includes over 20 people from higher education, business, education, and area organizations.

Special thanks to the many people involved, including the following:

2017 General Planning Committee

  • Summit Chair – Ralph Durkee, Durkee Consulting (ISSA, OWASP, ISACA)
  • Shaquille Barnes, Kodak Alaris (ISSA, InfraGard)
  • David Frier, Atos
  • Lillian Isacks, CFCU Community Credit Union (ISSA, OWASP, InfraGard)
  • John King, West Wind Security, Flexion (ISSA, OWASP, InfraGard)
  • Mary Beth King, West Wind Security
  • Heather Klem, Dox Electronics (ISSA)
  • Phil LaGraff, Xerox (retired) (ISSA, Infragard)
  • Michael Laird, Xerox (retired) (OWASP)
  • Keith McCullum, NBT Bank (ISSA, OWASP)
  • Tim Minsterman, Nixon Peabody, LLC (ISSA)
  • Gary Pecor, Xerox (retired)
  • Joe Pierson, Xerox (ISSA, Infragard)
  • Jim Raub, EagleDream Technologies (ISSA, ISACA)
  • Cynthia Ricci, Xerox (ISACA, PMI)
  • Rich Savacool, Nixon Peabody, LLC (ISSA)
  • Mary Schaffer, Excellus BCBS (ISSA, Infragard, ISACA)
  • Holly Turner, Xerox (ISSA, ISACA, ISC2, PMI)
  • Jason Woodson, NTT Security

Program Committee

  • Chair – Ralph Durkee
  • Barry Hofecker
  • John King
  • Rich Savacool
  • Al Sukert

Venue Committee

  • Chair – Holly Turner
  • Cynthia Ricci

Sponsorship Committee

  • Chair – Keith McCullum
  • Shaquille Barnes
  • Larry Kovnat
  • Michael Laird

Logistics Committee

  • Chair – Tim Minsterman
  • Chris Janiak
  • Gary Pecor
  • Jackie Stewart

Other Committees

  • AV / Wifi – Joe Pierson
  • Communications, Project Management & Editing – Mary Beth King
  • Event Photography – Bruce Nelson
  • Finance – Phil LaGraff
  • Printing – Tim Minsterman
  • Program Brochure – Dawn Savacool
  • Registration – Gary Pecor, Mary Schaffer
  • Social Media – Jason Woodson, Anthony Desalvo
  • Student Volunteers Coordinator – Jim Raub
  • Surveys – Rick Coloccia
  • Swag – David Frier
  • Web – John King

Track Moderators

  • Nina Buonarota – Governance, Risk, & Compliance (Day #2)
  • Ralph Durkee – OWASP AppSec (Day #1)
  • Lillian Isacks – Technical (Day #1 & Day #2)
  • John King – OWASP AppSec (Day #2)
  • Dean Maloney – Agility via DevOps (Day #1)
  • Jim Raub – Adapting to Change (Day #2)
  • Al Sukert – Adapting to Change (Day #1)

Track Facilitators

  • David Frier – OWASP Capture-the-Flag (Day #1)
  • Barry Hofecker – Adapting to Change (Day #2)
  • Chris Janiak – Technical (Day #1)
  • Larry Kovnat – Ohhhh-Sint Training (Day #1 & Day #2)
  • Michael Laird – Adapting to Change (Day #1)
  • Cynthia McLean – Agility via DevOps (Day #1)
  • Cynthia Ricci – Governance, Risk, & Compliance (Day #2)
  • George Snyder – OWASP AppSec (Day #1)
  • Greg Stachura – Technical (Day #2)
  • Jackie Stewart – OWASP AppSec (Day #2)