2026 VSTE Leading Ed Forum: Full Schedule

Welcome to VSTE’s Leading Ed Forum. Explore the sessions, connect with peers, and plan your day. Please note: sessions and times listed on the Schedule page are subject to change without notice.

3:15pm EDT

Cybersecurity in Education: A Conversation with State and Federal Experts

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

Join representatives from the Virginia Fusion Center and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for an interactive roundtable discussion focused on the cybersecurity challenges and opportunities facing K–12 education today.

This conversation will explore current cyber threats targeting schools, the growing role of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity funding and grant opportunities, student privacy considerations, workforce development, and lessons learned from recent incidents impacting educational organizations. Participants will have the opportunity to hear directly from state and federal experts, ask questions, share local challenges, and discuss practical strategies for strengthening cybersecurity readiness across their divisions.

Speakers

Christopher Cruz

Cyber Program Manager, Virginia Fusion Center

I'm a security expert based in Richmond, Virginia. I studied criminal justice and information systems at the undergraduate level, and international relations/national security affairs at the graduate level.My career has mostly involved tackling tough security problems across public... Read More →

John Harrison

Cybersecurity State Coordinator, Virginia, Region 3, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

John Harrison is the Cybersecurity State Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Region 3, with DHS CISA and is responsible for proactively engaging with members in private and public sector to increase the nation's critical infrastructure resiliency and further protect it from... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

Roundtable Discussion