Atlanta CISO Community
Executive Summit
November 18, 2025 | Westin Atlanta Perimeter North
November 18, 2025
Westin Atlanta Perimeter North
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Atlanta's top CISOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CISOs today:
Strengthening Cybersecurity Influence as a Key Facilitator of Enterprise Risk Decisions
Enhancing User Access with Smart Solutions
Charting the Future of the CISO Role Amid Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny and Organizational Shifts
Atlanta CISO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CISOs, For CISOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs
Derek Benz
The Coca-Cola Company
CISO
Tim Callahan
Aflac
SVP & Global CISO
John Dickson
Colonial Pipeline
VP & CISO
Meredith Harper
Synchrony Financial
SVP & CISO
Stacy Hughes
ABM
SVP & CISO
Bob Varnadoe
Kaiser Permanente
VP, Technology Risk Management
What to Expect
Interactive Sessions
Hear from CISO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.
Community Networking
Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Atlanta CISO community.
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
Agenda
Executive Boardroom Sessions
Reducing Application Delivery Tech Debt from the Inside Out
With high volumes of sensitive data now flowing through web browsers, three in five organizations say data leakage is likely given current IT and security infrastructures. Stop playing catch-up. Discover new approaches to enterprise operations to reduce risk while simplifying operations.
Join this session to discover:
- How disparate IT and security solutions create technical debt
- What challenges impact internal and end user stakeholders
- How simplifying IT can strengthen security, and boost productivity
Beyond the Firewall — Navigating Burnout and Embracing the Unexpected
Often referred to as the “thankless job,” CISOs are at the forefront of managing complex threats and safeguarding organizational assets. The relentless pressures and demands of the role can lead to burnout, causing many to question their future beyond the CISO position. However, by focusing on well-being and exploring new opportunities, CISOs can sustain their resilience, envision fulfilling career paths, and continue making meaningful contributions. How can CISOs begin to gain insights into maintaining well-being and charting a rewarding path after their tenure?
Join this session to:
- Identify the symptoms and causes of burnout specific to CISOs and learn strategies for resilience and self-care
- Explore proactive measures for anticipating and managing unexpected cybersecurity crises
- Discuss potential career pathways and opportunities for leveraging CISO experience in diverse roles beyond cybersecurity leadership
Wired & Inspired — Securing IT/OT in a Connected World
As IT and OT systems converge, CISOs must address new security risks and complexities. This session explores the unique challenges of IT/OT integration and offers practical strategies to protect critical infrastructure in an interconnected world.
Join this session to:
- Review key IT/OT cyber threats and real-world incidents
- Learn governance and collaboration best practices
- Get actionable steps to improve visibility and response
Breakout Session
Cyber Meets Cents — Dollars, Defense, and Dynamic Duos
The partnership between the CISO and the CFO is more critical than ever. By fostering open communication and mutual understanding, the CISO and CFO can ensure cybersecurity investments are strategic, measurable, and directly tied to organizational objectives. How can these two leaders join forces to build a collaborative framework that supports both robust security postures and sound financial stewardship, ultimately propelling the organization forward with confidence?
Join this session to hear more about:
- Strategies for bridging the communication gap between cybersecurity and finance teams
- Approaches to quantifying cybersecurity risks and investments in financial terms
- Best practices for aligning security initiatives with organizational growth and compliance goals
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Atlanta CISO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Westin Atlanta Perimeter NorthParking Information
Hotel valet - $35/car
Self- Park in the Concourse lot directly across from The Westin at a discounted rate of $5/day
Your Community Sponsors
Global Thought Leader
Key Sponsors
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
