May 20, 2025
From unforgettable keynotes to AI fueled breakouts, here's the key takeaways.
DEEP608 v9.0, an AE Business Solutions stand out event, brought together cybersecurity professionals, thought leaders, and innovators from across the Midwest. This year’s event delivered powerful keynotes, engaging breakout sessions, and meaningful conversations that sparked fresh ideas and connections.
The opening keynote, themed around the "Curse of Knowledge," was a unanimous favorite. Attendees described it as "amazing", "blown away", and even "the best session of the day." The message was not only timely but powerfully delivered, setting the tone for a day of learning.
Adrian Diaz dived into how Unit 42 leveraged hands-on experience to provide real-world insights and analysis, while Liz O’Sullivan’s session challenged us to reflect on how the world we live in affects our day-to-day. Many attendees expressed a desire for more presentations like hers that encourages us to think beyond technology and consider the ethical, social, and governance aspects of cybersecurity.
AI is here to stay, and DEEP608 v9.0 fully embraced that reality with a range of sessions that examined its rapidly expanding role in cybersecurity, governance, and innovation. From emerging use cases to challenges in ethical implementation, the event highlighted how AI is transforming the way organizations approach risk, resilience, and strategic decision-making. Conversations ranged from real-world governance frameworks and AI-driven threat detection to practical demonstrations that showed how machine learning is shaping everything from incident response to user behavior analytics. As AI continues to evolve, so must our understanding of its impact.
Beyond the sessions, many attendees emphasized how valuable it was to connect with local professionals across industries. Whether it was over coffee or during a hallway chat, DEEP608 continues to foster an environment where people can build relationships that extend far beyond the event itself.
With DEEP608 entering its 10th year in 2026, the bar is higher than ever and we’re ready for it. The feedback we received is already helping shape what’s to come.
Thank you to all who attended, spoke, and supported DEEP608 v9.0. You’re what makes this event special. Here’s to another decade of diving DEEP!