ISSA Los Angeles names Dr. Eric Cole keynote for 2026 security summit

By AI, Created 10:19 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – ISSA Los Angeles has named cybersecurity leader Dr. Eric Cole as keynote speaker for its 2026 Security Summit on Oct. 14 in Santa Monica. The event will focus on AI-driven threats, cyber resilience and the expanding role of security leadership as organizations face deepfake fraud, synthetic identity attacks and AI-assisted intrusions.

Why it matters: - AI-driven threats have made security a board-level issue, with deepfake fraud, synthetic identity attacks and AI-assisted intrusion campaigns now part of day-to-day risk planning. - The summit is designed to bring CISOs, CIOs, risk leaders and practitioners together around preparedness, resilience and executive accountability. - The keynote will focus on how organizations can build security programs that can withstand AI-enabled attacks and better align with business continuity and trust.

What happened: - ISSA Los Angeles announced that Dr. Eric Cole will deliver the keynote at the ISSA Los Angeles Security Summit 2026. - The summit is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2026, at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. - The event will convene security executives, practitioners, risk and compliance leaders, technology professionals, CISOs, CIOs and other cybersecurity professionals. - Dr. Cole is CEO of Secure Anchor Security Consulting, a cybersecurity author and a former member of the U.S. Presidential Commission on Cybersecurity.

The details: - The 2026 program includes the Security Summit, Women in Security Forum and CISO Forum. - Sessions will address AI-driven threats, cyber resilience, emerging threats, governance and leadership. - Dr. Cole has more than 30 years of cybersecurity experience across government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and international financial institutions. - His keynote will emphasize proactive defense, executive alignment and board-level accountability. - The keynote will also examine the evolving role of the CISO as security becomes tied to enterprise risk, regulatory compliance, business continuity and organizational trust. - Registration is now open at the summit website. - Object First is sponsoring both the CISO Forum and the summit. - Object First offers backup storage for Veeam with Zero Access controls intended to prevent anyone from altering or deleting backup data, including users with admin credentials.

Between the lines: - The event reflects how AI has shifted cybersecurity conversations from tools and tactics to leadership and governance. - ISSA Los Angeles is positioning the summit as both a technical conference and an executive forum, which signals that security teams are expected to speak more directly to enterprise risk. - Dr. Cole’s background in government and financial services matches the event’s focus on resilience, compliance and leadership under pressure. - The Santa Monica venue is part of the event’s draw, with organizers highlighting its beachside setting for networking and discussion.

What’s next: - ISSA Los Angeles will move toward the Oct. 14 summit date with registration open and the full schedule available online. - Additional sessions, speakers and forum details are expected to shape the program around AI threats and security leadership. - Attendees can find more information through the summit website and ISSA Los Angeles.

The bottom line: - ISSA Los Angeles is using its 2026 summit to spotlight the new reality of AI-powered attacks and the growing expectation that security leaders act as business leaders, not just technical operators.