Golden Eagle Cyber Defense Summit 2026

Why this summit matters

This summit is structured as an inclusive, career-spanning security experience—not just a one-day event. We connect students, career changers, practitioners, and employers through OT and critical infrastructure content, hands-on labs, and mentorship opportunities.

🛡️ OT & Critical Infrastructure First

Focused on OT systems, utility environments, and critical infrastructure segments where operational impact is highest.

🔧 Hands-On by Design

Lab-first sessions and practical exercises centered on real-world defense patterns and incident windows.

🎓 Career Pathways Across Levels

Direct links between employers, students, early-career talent, and mentors to support coaching, networking, and long-term career growth.

Conference Topics

Topic tiles show the session type, timing, focus area, and concrete program highlight—without side visuals.

Conference Agenda DRAFT MODE

Presentation, labs, and community activity in one easy scan. Times and session details may be updated.

Time	Presentation Track	Hands-On Labs	Career Fair / Community
12:00 PM	Opening + Keynote (all attendees)	-	Community fair opens
12:45 PM	IT Risk Management	Hardware / OT Lab	Recruiting + networking
1:30 PM	Network Security	Device Security Lab	Community tables
2:15 PM	AI Applications in Cybersecurity	Cybercrime Investigation Exercise	Resource conversations
3:00 PM	OT Strategy, SDL, and Industrial Protocol Security	Hardware Hacking + Wi-Fi Security	Employer networking
3:45 PM	Critical Infrastructure / Water / Utility Security	ICS / OT Attack Scenario	Student Q&A
4:30 PM	Closing Talk + Panel	Open Lab Time	Final networking

12:00 PM | Opening + Keynote (all attendees) | - | Community fair opens
12:45 PM | IT Risk Management | Hardware / OT Lab | Recruiting + networking
1:30 PM  | Network Security | Device Security Lab | Community tables
2:15 PM  | AI Applications in Cybersecurity | Cybercrime Investigation Exercise | Resource conversations
3:00 PM  | OT Strategy, SDL, and Industrial Protocol Security | Hardware Hacking + Wi-Fi Security | Employer networking
3:45 PM  | Critical Infrastructure / Water / Utility Security | ICS / OT Attack Scenario | Student Q&A
4:30 PM  | Closing Talk + Panel | Open Lab Time | Final networking

🧾 Presentation Track

45-minute expert sessions on enterprise security, OT strategy, and threat trends.

🧪 Hands-On Labs

Interactive exercises in hardware security, OT scenarios, and cybercrime response.

🎯 Career Fair / Community

A shared networking space for students, early-career, mid-career, and senior professionals to connect with employers and community mentors.

Registration

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General Registration

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Pricing

MU Students (with valid ID)

FREE

Student Admission (non-MU)

Professional Early Bird

$25

Professional Admission

$35

Click any pricing tile above to preselect a ticket path in the registration section. Sponsor community members attend free.