The Global Cyber Innovation Summit (GCIS), often referred to as the “Davos of Cybersecurity,” made its anticipated return this year, gathering the Global 2000 CISO community, cyber technology innovators, policy thought leaders, and members of the cyber investment community. Its primary goal? To facilitate high-level intellectual exchange and foster collaboration among peers, propelling the future of cyber innovation.
The exclusive, invitation-only event, attended by representatives from esteemed organizations such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber Division, commenced with opening remarks from Bob Ackerman, Founder & Chairman of the Global Cyber Innovation Summit, and a warm welcome by Kevin A. Anderson, Commerce Secretary, State of Maryland.
Bob Ackerman, Chairman of the GCIS forum and Founder of cybersecurity venture capital firm AllegisCyber, emphasized the significance of the Summit as a non-commercial, trusted platform. Its mission is to convene the industry’s leading voices, including CISOs, cybersecurity innovators, policymakers, and members of the cyber investment and intelligence sectors. Together, they tackle pressing cyber threats and propel the industry towards more robust defenses.
Adhering to Chatham House Rules, the GCIS proceedings offer a confidential space for top-tier intellectual discourse and collaboration. The Summit agenda comprised keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats, and briefings by cybersecurity practitioners and thought leaders. They exchanged ideas, discussed challenges, and collaborated to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity strategies and solutions.
The 2024 Summit commenced with the “CISO Board Member Bootcamp Series,” providing insights on leadership opportunities and board roles. Key topics throughout the event included the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, nation-state threats, the role of AI, and the intersection of privacy and secure AI.
Bob Ackerman, along with an advisory council featuring notable figures from the industry, guided the strategy and direction of the Summit. Notable members included Roland Cloutier, Former CISO at TikTok, and Phil Venables, CISO at Google Cloud.
A highlight of the Summit was the recognition of six early-stage disruptive cybersecurity companies, known as the “Disrupt 6.” These companies were awarded for their innovative solutions and invited to deliver TED talks on their emerging industry challenges and solutions.
The 2024 Global Cyber Innovation Summit took place on April 10-11, 2024, at The Sagamore Pendry Hotel, Baltimore, MD. Looking ahead, the 2025 Summit is scheduled for February 4-6, 2025, at the same venue, promising another impactful gathering for the cybersecurity community.
