Iowa
Technology
Summit
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
Securing the Age of AI & Digital Workers
APR. 7 / 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM / AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
About
AI and automation are quickly becoming part of everyday enterprise work, introducing new challenges around identity, access, governance, and trust. As digital workers and non-human identities take on more responsibility, security leaders are rethinking how traditional security models hold up at scale.
In this audience-driven panel, cybersecurity leaders share practical perspectives on how organizations are adapting to AI in the real world. The discussion will explore non-human identity management, automation in security operations, human-in-the-loop decision making, and why foundational practices like identity and data governance matter more than ever.
Takeaways
Attendees will gain insight into where to focus, what not to underestimate, and how to adopt AI responsibly while maintaining strong security guardrails.
Panelists
Taylor Erickson
Information Security Manager
Wright Services Corporation
Taylor Erickson is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and currently serves as Information Security Manager, bringing over 15 years of experience in Information Technology. Since joining Wright Service Corp. in 2015, he has been a driving force behind the company’s security transformation. Taylor expertly led the creation of the organization’s Information Security program, collaborating seamlessly with his CIO and securing full support from the C-Suite and Board to bring his vision to life. Under Taylor’s leadership, the company launched and operationalized advanced tools, strategies, and processes to safeguard both customer and enterprise data. With a strong foundation in place, he is now focused on scaling his team, deepening its expertise, and continuously strengthening the organization’s security posture to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Outside of his professional achievements, Taylor is passionate about giving back to his community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Norwalk Easter Public Library Foundation, where, as Vice-President and Technology Chair, he helps implement the tools necessary to raise funds for library programs and services. Taylor takes pride in using his expertise to make a meaningful impact locally.
Brett Leighton
Director, Digital Risk Management
John Deere
Brett is a cybersecurity and technology risk leader with over 21 years’ experience in cyber operations, risk management, and the governance of information technology.
In his current position as Director of Digital Risk Management at John Deere, Brett is pioneering the company’s digital risk program, an industry leading technology risk governance practice that integrates cybersecurity, data risk, product security risk, IT operational risk, insider risk and operational technology risk into a unified platform, enabling risk decision makers at all levels of the company to understand and respond to risk related to their digital assets and services.
Brett is also a retired Cyber Operations Officer for the Iowa Air National Guard. In his 20-year career, Brett deployed seven times for OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and other contingency operations. Brett served as the Branch Chief of Cyber Operations for Joint Forces Headquarters-Iowa, led Cyber Protection Teams for Homeland Defense missions, and helped stand-up two cyber squadrons for the 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard.
From 2023-2024, Brett was selected as one of CISA’s inaugural Cyber Innovation Fellows as a cybersecurity risk expert.
Brett also currently serves as a Chair of the Iowa IAPP KnowledgeNet Chapter.
Lisa Vonstein
Director of Technology Solutions, CISO
Data Innovations
Lisa Vonstein is a technology and security leader with extensive experience guiding enterprise Information Technology and Security programs, currently serving as Director of IT and CISO within Global Engineering Technology Services at Data Innovations. Her work centers on strengthening organizational security posture through resilient infrastructure, risk‑aware decision‑making, and close alignment between security, IT operations, and the business. Lisa brings a pragmatic, leadership‑driven perspective to cybersecurity balancing threat management, compliance, and operational continuity while enabling teams to deliver secure, reliable services at scale. She is particularly focused on integrating security into day‑to‑day technology operations and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for protecting systems, data, and users.
MODERATOR
Ryan Wood
CISO
VGM Group, Inc.
Ryan Wood is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at VGM Group, where he leads enterprise cybersecurity, risk, and regulatory compliance initiatives. With more than 20 years of experience in information security and IT risk management, Ryan focuses on practical, business-aligned approaches to managing cyber risk in regulated and complex environments.
Ryan is an original cohort (2022) alum of the Technology Association of Iowa IT Leadership Institute (ITLI) and a two-time Iowa CISO of the Year finalist (2024, 2025) at the Prometheus Awards. He is an active member of Iowa’s cybersecurity community and regularly serves as a panelist and moderator on topics including cybersecurity leadership, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
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