Five Sessions on Critical Infrastructure and Facilities Protection at ISC West 2026

ISC West 2026 is coming up March 23–27  in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC West have revealed full conference details for the SIA Education at ISC West program, including keynote presentations from top luminaries and over 120 sessions from over 280 top industry expert speakers on the most current business trends, technologies and industry developments.

Among the robust lineup of conference offerings are several sessions related to critical infrastructure and facilities protection. At ISC West 2026, you’ll discover expert insights on critical infrastructure security planning, protecting data centers and more. Here are five sessions you won’t want to miss; make sure to add them to your ISC West calendar!

All Times PDT

Developing a Comprehensive Security Strategic Plan for Critical Infrastructure

Wednesday, March 25, 8:00–8:50 a.m.

“Critical infrastructure is more at risk today than ever before from human-induced, natural, and hybrid hazards and threats. Join us as we discuss Trinity River Authority’s journey to develop a security program strategy to align its regulatory requirements, standards, and best practices with its security support for the Authority’s diverse assets including reservoirs, water treatment plants, dams, and recreational sites.  We will share findings from our study, provide insights from our expanded benchmarking study and discuss lessons learned from TRA’s efforts.”

–Angela Osborne, vice president, risk and emergency management solutions, Guidepost Solutions

You’ll walk away with advice for understanding your organization’s risks and operational needs, regulatory environment, relevant standards and guidelines and peer organizations’ approach to security.

Speakers:

• Andrew Jordan, security manager, Trinity River Authority of Texas
• Angela Osborne, vice president, risk and emergency management solutions, Guidepost Solutions
• Robert Warren, risk manager, TRA

Fortifying the Foundation: A Converged Approach to Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience

Wednesday, March 25, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Critical infrastructure sectors face an increasingly sophisticated and evolving threat landscape, necessitating a shift from traditional security measures to a converged, multi-layered approach that prioritizes both protection and resilience. This session will delve into the complex challenges inherent in safeguarding these vital assets from both physical and cyber threats. An expert panel will explore the integration of physical hardening, advanced video analytics, sophisticated access control and robust cybersecurity strategies.

“You can’t apply a generic security template to critical infrastructure. We face unique vulnerabilities—from the challenge of protecting distributed assets to the specific risks of converged cyber-physical attacks. I’m joining leaders from Dominion Energy, South Jersey Industries and Hexagon to dissect these sector-specific challenges and the intricate web of regulatory compliance (NERC CIP, TSA) that surrounds them. Join us for a practical look at how to turn these unique vulnerabilities into fortified resilience.”

—Andy Shartzer, technical evangelist, Pelco

Speakers:

• Bill Eckard, senior director of public safety/federal government programs, Hexagon
• Doug Hemminghaus, corporate security manager, Dominion Energy
• Frank McCormick, director, risk and security, South Jersey Industries
• Andy Shartzer, technical evangelist, Pelco

Effective Security Project Planning in the Utilities and Energy Sector: Dos and Don’ts

Wednesday, March 25, 2:15–3:15 p.m.

This session is designed to equip participants with essential skills and best practices for navigating the complexities of security project planning in this critical industry. The panel discussion features energy and utility sector experts across the security industry spectrum, including manufacturer, end user, system integrator and consultant. This conversation will delve into strategic and tactical planning techniques that drive mission and project success. Participants will learn how to implement best practices that align with organizational goals, ensuring that each project delivers value and meets stakeholder expectations.

“Everyone aspires to have a successful project, yet that’s not always the case! This session will highlight the most common security project mistakes that manufacturers, practitioners, consultants and/or integrators make. Please join us to ensureyour next project does not fail!”

—Darin Dillon, senior director, energy, LenelS2 | Honeywell

Speakers:

• Benjamin Butchko, president and CEO, Butchko
• Darin Dillon, senior director, energy, LenelS2 | Honeywell
• John Nemerofsky, chief operating officer, SAGE Integration

Data Center Security: Protecting the Backbone of Global Connectivity

Tuesday, March 24, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

As critical infrastructure, data centers play a vital role in the global economy, powering everything from cloud services to telecommunications. With the rapid growth of the data center industry worldwide, ensuring their security has become more pressing than ever. This session explores how security professionals can apply advanced risk assessment methodologies to identify vulnerabilities, assess emerging threats, and implement effective physical security solutions. By focusing on the unique challenges posed by the expansion of data centers, attendees will learn how to integrate physical security measures with cybersecurity protocols to safeguard these essential assets against evolving risks.

“Protecting critical infrastructure which enables our interconnected world requires more than technology—it demands strategic leadership, operational excellence and collaborative partnerships. This panel brings together security leaders from the world’s largest cloud providers, each responsible for safeguarding hundreds of facilities and the sensitive information they house. Together, we’ll discuss the evolving security challenges facing our industry, from managing complex vendor relationships and ensuring regulatory compliance to building resilient security programs that protect people, property and assets.”

—Andy Smith, regional security manager, Amazon Web Services

Speakers:

• Carlos Francisco, regional security leader, Meta
• Paul Jankowski, executive vice president of data center development, First Coast Security
• Sean Owens, vice president of technology, First Coast Security
• Andy Smith, regional security manager, Amazon Web Services

Protecting America’s Critical Infrastructure: Lessons From Global Threats

Wednesday, March 25, 1:00.–2:00 p.m.

Critical infrastructure faces unprecedented risks from organized crime syndicates perfecting tactics globally. Metal theft causing blackouts, ransomware meets physical sabotage, coordinated attacks on renewable energy sites—these are not future threats, but current realities worldwide. This panel brings together infrastructure security leaders, law enforcement and international experts to examine how criminal networks target utilities, transportation and telecommunications.

“I am honored to join David Morgan, Baba Devani and Ton Harding for this important discussion on protecting America’s critical infrastructure. The global threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and the lessons we’re seeing from coordinated criminal networks and hybrid attacks abroad make it clear that we must rethink how we approach security here at home. Learning from international intelligence models and proven, behavior -based frameworks gives us a stronger foundation to anticipate and disrupt these threats before they reach U.S. operations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this dialogue alongside such respected leaders and to help advance a more proactive, predictive approach to safeguarding the systems our communities rely on every day.”

—John Nemerofsky, chief operating officer, SAGE Integration

Speakers:

• Baba Devani, CEO, DeterTech
• Tom Harding, assistant chief constable, College of Policing
• David Morgan, co-founder, SD Marketing
• John Nemerofsky, chief operating officer, SAGE Integration

You can access the full SIA Education at ISC West conference program by registering for a SIA Education@ISC Passport. Even better, use SIA’s link to get free access to the ISC West trade show and save 20% on your conference pass!