Speakers
Morning Keynote Speaker -
"Embracing the Research Cyberinfrastructure Ecosystem"
Lunch Keynote Speaker -
Workshop Speaker - Kevin Hayes, CISSP, CISM
Kevin Hayes is the Chief Information Security Officer for Merit Network. Formerly with Wayne State University as its Director of Information Security, Kevin serves as the executive in charge of Merit’s cybersecurity portfolio. He has developed and manages the information security program for Merit, including information security policies, procedures and control techniques to address and combat the serious threats to its network and its members.
Kevin has authored and presented original security content at a number of workshops, seminars, and conferences. His collaborative efforts across the organization have been to understand, propose, and implement security improvement requests and opportunities. His influence extends beyond Merit as he leads other organizations to share Merit's success and to bring best practices in security back to Merit and its members. Kevin has performed cybersecurity risk assessments for both internal Merit teams and external Merit customers where he has focused on identifying areas of risk and appropriate methods of remediating or accepting such risk. He has extensive knowledge of best practices, operation and configuration of network switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless devices, as well as Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems.
Special Speakers
| Speaker: | Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt President, University of Arkansas System Chair, AREON Board of Directors |
| Title: | Conference Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| Speaker: | Dr. Charles L. Welch President, Arkansas State University System Vice Chair, AREON Board of Directors |
| Title: | Conference Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| Speaker: | Elon Turner Executive Director Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Title: | Conference Welcome and Opening Remarks |
AREON Staff Breakout Session Facilitators
| Track | Facilitator |
| Technology | Tim Johnson Sr. Network Engineer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Innovation | Bobby Clark Sr. Network Engineer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Cybersecurity | Jonathan Groves Network Engineer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Management | Mark Mahar Sr. Network Engineer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
Breakout Session Speakers
| Speaker: | Brett Bailey, Pharm.D. Senior Healthcare Informatics Specialist University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
| Title: | Transitioning from Ad-Hoc Requests to a Self-Service Reporting Solution |
| Abstract: | With a new institutional focus on expansion and improvement, the UAMS Business Intelligence team was tasked by our CIO with coming up with a solution to meet the needs of a statewide health system – UAMS Health. With the current resources at hand, the team was not equipped to adequately handle current or future workload. We will discuss the evaluation, migration, and process improvement that went into our move from an ad hoc local reporting system to a cloud-based, fully self-service reporting solution using Microsoft’s Power BI and their Power Platform environment. In this transition, we have replaced outdated systems, improved customer experience, and significantly reduced expenses. |
| Speaker: | Skip Bayro Principal Consulting Engineer Mist, a Juniper company |
| Title: | How AI and Machine Learning is Solving the Unique Challenges of WiFi Networks in Education |
| Abstract: | “Up is not the same as Good!”. When student and educator devices fail to connect or connect poorly to WiFi, digital learning doesn't go as planned. Join us to discover how Mist's AI for IT Cloud based Microservices Driven WiFi Ecosystem is changing the WiFi Landscape as we know it technically and operationally. Learn how “MARVIS” uses AI and Machine Learning to solve user experience problems and performance challenges quickly and easily. Let Mist help you build your Network for the Next Decade. Today’s educators want only the best learning environments for their teachers and students. The best school networks are only as good as the underlying WLAN. Up is NOT the same as GOOD. Too often, IT staff struggle to quickly solve network issues as legacy WLAN architectures and network tools primarily focused on the condition of the network, NOT the quality of the end-user experience. This is no longer the case as AI, Cloud, Machine Learning and Natural Language technologies are bringing real and disruptive benefits to IT and for a great user experience not possible with earlier generations of WiFi. Combined with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), districts can open new, customizable location-based services, safety and facilities management and planning applications. |
| Speaker: | Zak Chalupka Senior Engineer Next Step Innovation |
| Title: | Got IoT? Utilizing Clearpass to Identify and Secure a Campus Full of IoT |
| Abstract: | Securing IoT is one thing, but allowing an “at home experience” is another. |
| Speaker: | Bobby Clark Sr. Network Engineer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Title: | AREON Engineering Update & Roundtable |
| Abstract: | AREON will present a technical update on the AREON network and provide information on some of the current network engineering projects underway that may impact AREON members. We will discuss the ongoing efforts to comply with Google’s new/upcoming requirements involving Internet Routing Registries (IRRs). In addition, an open roundtable discussion will permit attendees an opportunity to share about new activities, problems, opportunities, or ideas with the AREON staff and attendees and ask questions of the AREON staff. |
| Moderator: | Steve Cochran Chief Information Security Officer University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
| Title: | CISO Roundtable |
| Abstract: | The CISO Roundtable is an open discussion session about cybersecurity led by the moderator. Topics for discussion may range from security problems, issues, solutions, policies, practices, products, services, etc. to training, education, documentation, etc. to implementation, testing, penetration, mitigation, etc. and beyond. Come prepared with thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns that you have regarding cybersecurity. |
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| Title: | Researcher Roundtable |
| Abstract: | The Researcher Roundtable is an open discussion session about topics of interest to researchers led by the moderator. Topics for discussion may range from collaborative IT technology supporting research, networking, leveraging national and international networks, Science DMZ, high performance computing, storage, DTNs, security, protecting intellectual rights, grant opportunities, etc. and beyond. Come prepared with thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns that you have regarding how networking and information technology can be leveraged to enhance the opportunities and outcomes of research. |
| Speaker: | Dr. Veysel Erdag Chief Information Security Officer University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
| Title: | Strategic Leadership and Strategic Alignment: Tools to Overcome Security Management Problems Effectively |
| Abstract: | While attack service is getting wider and wider every day, security professionals try to keep up by not only the attack methods but also the defense tools, technologies and the vendors. On the other hand, stakeholders in the organizations demand more effective and efficient security services while getting unrestricted and uninterrupted service with a very limited financial resource. All these expectations can be satisfied by finding creative solutions and executing these solutions. Following strategic leadership practices will help information security managers to achieve goals while providing effective services to the organizations. At the same time, strategic alignment maturity model will help information security managers to show the value of the service and how effective and efficient the security services are provided. |
| Moderator: | Steven Fulkerson Chief Information Officer University of Arkansas System |
| Title: | CIO Roundtable |
| Abstract: | The CIO Roundtable is an open discussion session about IT related topics led by the moderator. Topics for discussion may range from IT problems, issues, solutions, policies, practices, products, services, etc. to training, education, documentation, etc. to technology adoption, procurement, implemention, testing, etc. and beyond. Come prepared with thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns that you have regarding Information Technology. |
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| Abstract: | The Science DMZ Architecture has been a boon to research networking but there are other complementary/competitive data transfer optimization solutions that aren’t talked about as much. This presentation will present an overview of four methods of improving network performance to the benefit of HPC/Big Science. ESnet’s Science DMZ Architecture will be discussed but so will: NORDUnet’s Global Virtualization Service, Google’s TCP BBR congestion control algorithm, and the tried and true solution of Over-provisioning. Production use and demos of each method within the R&E Networking community will be discussed as will the pros and cons/trade-offs of each method. |
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| Panel/Moderator: | Elon Turner Executive Director Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
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| Speaker: | Scott Ramoly Chief Technology Officer Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network |
| Title: | AREON Engineering Update & Roundtable |
| Abstract: | AREON will present a technical update on the AREON network and provide information on some of the current network engineering projects underway that may impact AREON members. We will discuss the ongoing efforts to comply with Google’s new/upcoming requirements involving Internet Routing Registries (IRRs). In addition, an open roundtable discussion will permit attendees an opportunity to share about new activities, problems, opportunities, or ideas with the AREON staff and attendees and ask questions of the AREON staff. |
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| Panelist: | Henry Torres Chief Information Officer Arkansas State University - Jonesboro |
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