Commonwealth of Virginia Information Security Conference The Quantum Mirror: Reflecting on Security in a Multiverse
As cybersecurity rapidly expands into realms once considered science fiction, understanding the shifting dimensions of risk, resilience and innovation has never been more essential.
The Quantum Mirror: Reflecting on Security in a Multiverse invites professionals across the Commonwealth to explore how today’s decisions reverberate across multiple possible futures. The 2026 Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) Information Security Conference (ISC) brings together security leaders, practitioners and innovators to examine emerging threats, cutting-edge technologies and the evolving human element at the center of cybersecurity.
With three focused tracks — Leadership/Soft Skills, VITA focus (policy and process) and Technical Solutions — attendees will engage in sessions designed to challenge assumptions, showcase practical strategies and illuminate new paths forward. This year’s conference empowers the Commonwealth’s information security community to reflect, adapt and thrive in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
We’re happy to share that this year’s conference will be hosted in a new location - The Westin Richmond at Reynolds Crossing. We look forward to welcoming you there.
Conference Program
The theme for this year is The Quantum Mirror: Reflecting on Security in a Multiverse.
The conference will include expert presentations for those who manage, audit or assess information security in their organizations in the spirit of fulfilling our shared mission of securing information. Conference participants will have the opportunity to learn and share ideas with security-minded colleagues while hearing about the latest security products and services.
Keynote Speakers
Morning Keynote
Dr. David A. Bray Loomis Council Member & Distinguished Fellow
Dr. David A. Bray is a distinguished fellow and chair of the accelerator with the Alfred Lee Loomis Innovation Council at the non-partisan Henry L. Stimson Center. He is also a CEO and transformation leader for different under-the-radar tech and data ventures seeking to get started in novel situations. He is principal at LeadDoAdapt Ventures and has served in a variety of leadership roles in turbulent environments, including bioterrorism preparedness and response from 2000-2005.
Dr. Bray previously was the Executive Director for a bipartisan National Commission on Research and Development, provided non-partisan leadership as a federal agency senior executive, worked with the U.S. Navy and Marines on improving organizational adaptability and aided U.S. Special Operation Command’s J5 Directorate on the challenges of countering disinformation online. He has received both the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and the National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal.
David accepted a leadership role in December 2019 to direct the successful bipartisan Commission on the Geopolitical Impacts of New Technologies and Data that included Senator Mark Warner, Senator Rob Portman, Rep. Suzan DelBene and Rep. Michael McCaul. From 2017-2020, David also served as executive director for the People-Centered Internet coalition chaired by internet co-originator Vint Cerf, and he was named a senior fellow with the Institute for Human-Machine Cognition starting in 2018. Business Insider named him one of the top “24 Americans Who Are Changing the World” under 40 and he was named a young global leader by the World Economic Forum. For twelve different startups, he has served as president, CEO, chief strategy officer and in strategic advisor roles.
Afternoon Keynote
Karl Cureton CEBOT CEO
Karl Cureton is a nationally recognized executive policy leader and CEO of the Council Exchange Board of Trade (CEBOT), where he architects large-scale governance ecosystems at the intersection of cybersecurity, economic development and emerging technology. With more than 25 years of experience shaping federal policy, data strategy and public-private collaboration, he brings a unique lens to cybersecurity, positioning governance as the core security architecture in an increasingly distributed, AI-driven world.
Cureton’s work spans multi-domain environments, including active engagements with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and strategic initiatives across Africa through university-governed work establishing governed innovation ecosystems. These efforts focus on building cross-border digital trust frameworks, secure transaction infrastructure and scalable governance models that align governments, universities and private-sector stakeholders around shared cybersecurity and economic outcomes.
A contributor to national cybersecurity workforce and policy development, Cureton serves in leadership roles within the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Information Technology Lab and NICE Community Coordinating Council, where he co-chaired initiatives advancing cyber workforce readiness and ecosystem coordination. He also co-developed elements of the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Ambassador Program, reinforcing his role in shaping how institutions operationalize cyber talent pipelines at scale.