ISSA-CHICAGO 2026 SecureX Annual Cruise

ISSA-CHICAGO  SecureX Cruise

ANNUAL CYBER CONFERENCE & NETWORKING CRUISE

Thursday, June 18, 2026 ~ 7:30am - 5:30pm

Aboard the Odyssey, Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave), Chicago. IL  60611

SecureX is a full day event and our premier event of the year !  It's a great learning experience and networking opportunity for industry professionals, business & security leaders, and students.. Earn 5 CPE's and network with 200+ cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, professionals & students. Gorgeous views of Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan, enjoy delicious food, and fun cruise aboard the Odyssey. Boat stays docked until 2pm for speakers & sponsors tables, and includes breakfast, lunch, and 3-hour cocktail cruise on Lake Michigan.   We will also have an After Party from 5:30 - 7pm, most likely at Navy Pier - details to be announced on the Odyssey during SecureX.

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SecureX 2026 is our 18th Annual Cruise at Navy Pier Chicago aboard The Odyssey

*Register Today at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/issachicago/2006049 - Early Bird Pricing is for advance online registration by May 31 and full price online ticket sales ends on June 16.

We have 4 amazing speakers at SecureX and a wonderful panel of local hackers - providing a total of 5 CPE (certification education) credits. See Agenda & Speaker Information (below and times are approx):

7:30am - Boarding & Breakfast Buffet

8am - Welcome Announcements

8:15am - Laura Harder (1st speaker)

9am - Kate Kuehn (speaker 2)

10am - Sandy Carielli (speaker 3)

11am - Ed Amoroso (speaker 4)

11:45am - Lunch Buffet

1pm - Amazing Hacker Panel

1:45pm - Raffle prizes (business or contact info card required to enter sponsor raffles)

2:15pm - Cruise begins on Lake Michigan

5:15pm - Return to dock at Navy Pie

5:30pm - After Party at Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier

7pm - Time to say good-bye & get home safely !

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**Many THANKS our SPONSORS - Please Visit their Tabletops at SecureX on the Topaz Deck !!

Akamai - https://www.akamai.com

Coalfire - https://coalfire.com

Filigran / WWT - https://filigran.io

Forcepoint - https://www.forcepoint.com

Keyfactor - https://www.keyfactor.com

Nexum - https://www.nexuminc.com

Orca Security - https://www.orca.security

SecurEnds - https://www.securends.com

Sikich - https://www.sikich.com

SumoLogic - https://www.sumologic.com

Sysdig - https://www.sysdig.com

Thales - https://cpl.thalesgroup.com

Zafran - https://www.zafran.io

Zero Networks - https://zeronetworks.com

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Our Speakers for SecureXVIII - 18th Annual Educational & Networking Cruise

Laura Harder - Presentation Title, Abstract & Bio:

VP of ISSA International, Director - Cyber at Kaiser Permanente, US Air Force Reserve Cyber Officer, CISSP CIPM. Public Speaker, and Mom.

Presentation is called, "The Unprepared Career - How Preparation Creates Opportunity". In this engaging and deeply personal session, Laura Harder shares the unexpected twists, setbacks, mentors, and opportunities that shaped a career she never could have planned. Through stories, humor, and hard-earned lessons, you'll discover why the most important opportunities in life rarely arrive looking like opportunities at all.  Whether you're just starting your career or wondering what comes next, this session will challenge you to stop waiting for the perfect plan and start preparing for the next open door. You don't have to see the whole path. You just have to be ready for the next step.

Bio & Website: Laura Harder · Director - Cyber at Kaiser Permanente, VP of ISSA International, US Air Force Reserve, CISSP CIPM.  Expert in Cybersecurity, Boardroom Discussions, Veterans Projects, and Public Speaker - https://issa.org/board-member/laura-harder

Kate Kuehn - Presentation Title, Abstract & Bio:

Presentation is called "Living in Risk". We are living in unprecedented times of Risk. From Autonomous Systems, Cyber in Conflict - the impact of Venezuela and Iran, to the looming question of Quantum Computing, the risk landscape we face today is unlike any other in history.  In this talk, we will discuss the impact of Risk on the Board and C-Suite and get updates on how to handle our new world of conflict, policy and impact. Kate will discuss the current situation in Washington, updates on the Administration and policy and how to navigate our New Risk Normal.

Bio link: Kate Kuehn - VP of Global Cyber Advocacy, WWT: https://www.wwt.com/profile/kate-kuehn/bio

Sandy Carielli - VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester: https://www.forrester.com/analyst-bio/sandy-carielli/BIO14484

(Presentation details to come soon)

Ed Amoroso - CEO of TAG-Cyber, ex-CISO of AT&T: https://tag-infosphere.com/about-us

(Presentation details to come soon)