IEEE Tech Futures 2026: Cybersecurity Deep Dive - In Person - Orlando
Description:
Join the IEEE Young Professionals (Region 3) and IEEE Computer Society for the first event in the Tech Futures 2026 Deep Dive Series, focused on Cybersecurity.
This hybrid event will be hosted in person in Orlando and streamed live for virtual attendees. It brings together experts from academia, industry, and IEEE to share insights on emerging cybersecurity trends, real-world challenges, and future directions.
Featured Speakers:
- Gracie Pereira, VP & Head of Cybersecurity, DigitalNet.ai
- Elyson De La Cruz, Chief Information Security Officer, Imagine Believe Realize, LLC & Cyber Warfare Officer, USAF Reserves
- Franco Mezzarapa, Offensive and Hardware Security Researcher, The DRACO Lab, University of Central Florida (PI: Prof. Mike Borowczak)
About the Series:
The IEEE Tech Futures 2026 Series is a region-wide initiative led by IEEE Region 3 Young Professionals and the Computer Society. It is designed to engage students, young professionals, and members in exploring impactful emerging technologies identified in the Computer Society Technology Predictions 2026 report.
Through a combination of virtual and locally hosted hybrid events, this series aims to strengthen collaboration, expand technical knowledge, and foster industry-academia engagement across Region 3.
Key Objectives:
- Explore emerging technologies and future industry trends
- Strengthen collaboration between IEEE Young Professionals and the Computer Society
- Provide accessible, high-quality technical programming
- Enable impactful local hybrid events across sections
- Foster industry engagement through expert talks and discussions
We look forward to your participation in this exciting kickoff session on cybersecurity.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
Loading virtual attendance info...
- 4328 Scorpus St
- Orlando, Florida
- United States 32816
- Building: L3Harris Corporation Engineering Center (HEC)
- Room Number: 101AB
- Contact Event Hosts
-
Event Contacts: Michael Castiglia, Orlando Section YP Chair
Nihad Bassis, Orlando Section Computer Society Chair
- Co-sponsored by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Foundation
- Starts 03 April 2026 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 25 April 2026 04:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
- Menu: Vegetarian, Non-Veg, Virtual Attendance (No Food)
Speakers
Andy Seely
IEEE Computer Society
Biography:
Andy is the Vice President of Member and Geographic Services for the IEEE Computer Society and Chair of the Region 3 Member Communications Committee.
Michael Castiglia
IEEE Young Professionals
Biography:
Michael is the Chair of the IEEE Young Professionals Affinity Group for the Orlando Section and is a Silicon Design Engineer at AMD's Orlando Research and Design Center.
Franco Mezzarapa of DRACO Lab, University of Central Florida
Hardware Side Channels
Gracie Pereira of DigitalNet.ai
Cybersecurity Landscape & Future Trends
Elyson De La Cruz of Imagine Believe Realize, LLC
The simple, not-so-simple life of a Penetration Tester and Red Team Member
Agenda
5:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Check-in and Informal Networking
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM: Welcome and Opening Remarks (Michael Castiglia, Nihad Bassis, Andy Seely)
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Cybersecurity Landscape & Future Trends (Gracie Pereira)
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM: The simple, not-so-simple life of a Penetration Tester and Red Team Member (Elyson De La Cruz)
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Hardware Side Channels with Demo (DRACO Lab - Franco Mezzarapa)
7:45 PM - 7:50 PM: Closing Remarks and Continuing Involvement (Michael Castiglia, Eren Siegman, Andy Seely)
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Networking - Hosted by Women in Engineering (Sonali Das)