Ransomware remains one of the most persistent and costly threats to organizations worldwide, but behind nearly every successful attack lies a single point of failure: identity. As adversaries exploit compromised credentials and weak access controls to infiltrate critical systems, it’s clear that the future of ransomware defense depends on rethinking how we secure identity itself.

In this fireside chat, Valerie Cofield, Executive Director at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), and Meredith Burkhart, Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy at Halcyon, explore the growing intersection between identity management and ransomware resilience. Together, they will unpack how identity-first security strategies, Zero Trust principles, and adaptive access can effectively close the door on ransomware before it ever breaches your defenses.

Through real-world insights and expert perspectives, you will learn:

• Why identity is the new perimeter and how attackers exploit it as the easiest entry point.
• How modern IAM and Zero Trust frameworks can detect, isolate, and disrupt ransomware activity in real time.
• What leadership and collaboration look like when building a ransomware-resilient organization from the inside out.