October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. During October 2023, the Commonwealth Office of Technology will offer several ways for state staff to engage in cybersecurity events.
COT management will sponsor four drawings for cybersecurity event participants to win Amazon gift cards and one drawing from among those with highest participation entries to win an Amazon gift card.
State staff can gain entries in the drawings in the following ways:
- One entry can be gained for participation in each event of the virtual presentations listed below on this web page.
- One entry can be gained for replying to feedback requests sent to presentation participants after each sponsored session (from cotsecurityfeedback@ky.gov).
- One entry can be gained for each answer to security quiz questions emailed once a week throughout October 2023 (from cotsecurityquiz@ky.gov).
- One entry can be gained for each report of a phishing email during the month of October 2023 by using the Report Phish/ PhishAlarm button in Outlook or by sending the suspect email as an attachment to "COT Phishing Reporting" (phishing.reporting@ky.gov).
- One entry can be gained for providing a cybersecurity suggestion to
COTSecurityWatch@ky.gov during the month of October 2023.
FEATURED CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS
COT partners with Crowe LLP and other vendors to provide presentations throughout the month of October on the latest cybersecurity technologies. Please reserve these dates on your calendar. Scroll down to find out more..

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 11 AM – 12 PM EST
Elastic Solutions presents:
“Is Skynet still Sci-Fi?”
Come have a chat about Generative AI and how it may have vast implications on enterprise security.
Speaker: Ruben Perez, Principal Solutions Architect, Elastic
Ruben Perez has been providing solutions for Elastic customers for over 4 years now, much of that time within the Public Sector. With over a decade of search experience prior to Elastic, Ruben has experienced quite a bit of use cases in his career and his knowledge in the space has been an asset to the Elastic SLED organization..
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device.
Meeting ID: 258 895 527 224 Passcode: KXJa47
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-632-6289, United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 297 679 126#


On Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 11 AM – 12 PM EST,
Broadcom presents:
“MFA: Why You Must, and Why It’s Not Enough”
Speaker: Kevin Haley, Senior Director
Kevin Haley is Senior Director in Symantec's Security Response group where he is responsible for ensuring the security content gathered from Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network is actionable for its customers. This includes educating customers on security issues and incorporating the security content into security solutions of Broadcom Software.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 276 622 155 273
Passcode: deThRS
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-632-6289, United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 674 749 045#

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 2 PM – 3 PM EST,
COT Office of the Chief Information Security Officer presents:
“Kentucky State Government Cybersecurity Townhall”
David Carter and Bob Brooks will describe the state of security of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Executive Branch with a focus on how cybersecurity developments have and will affect the experience of state government staff.3
Speakers:
-
David Carter, CISO
-
Bob Brooks, DISO
- Technical staff
David J. Carter has been with COT Security for X years and has served as Chief Information Security Officer since DATE. He has increased our security posture these ways.
Robert Brooks has been the Deputy Information Security Officer since Date and has done or does these things.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 219 567 041 459
Passcode: bCi9Ts
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-632-6289,,951760308# United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 951 760 308#
Monday, October 30, 2023, from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM EST
Palo Alto Networks presents:
“Protecting our Digital Life: Safeguarding Government Data and Privacy in the Cyber Age”
In an era where data reigns supreme and the digital landscape continues to evolve, protecting government operations and citizen data is of paramount importance and a shared responsibility. Join us in this conversation as we delve into the world of cybersecurity and its critical role in government functions. This engagement aims to raise awareness, educate, and empower state and government employees to become champions of cybersecurity.
Presentation Highlights:
- Understanding the Cybersecurity Landscape and exploring the evolving threat landscape and the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks.
- Highlight the real-world implications of cyberattacks on government operations and citizen services.
- Empower government employees to be proactive in their daily operations by integrating cybersecurity best practices and provide actionable tips and guidelines for enhancing personal and organizational cybersecurity.
Speaker: Fadi Fadhil, Palo Alto Networks’ Field Chief Technology Officer
Fadi Fadhil is a seasoned IT executive with a 20+ years track record of digital transformation, business strategy, and partnership building both in government and in education. He served as the CIO of the City of Minneapolis, the CIO of Minneapolis Public Schools, the Director of Technology in Saint Paul and Lead Technology Architect and Liaison between the US Army and the new Iraqi government in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II from 2003 – 2005. With a deep understanding of government and education, Fadi offers a unique combination of strategic vision, field experience with a wealth of knowledge and experience in cybersecurity and IT operations.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 264 237 820 840
Passcode: bwCfpg
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-632-6289, United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 120 517 411#