Overview

July 23
11AM PT, 2PM ET

Register

As generative AI transforms teaching, research and administration, the "open campus" has become more difficult than ever to secure. Faculty are using large language models to accelerate research. Students are accessing institutional systems from coffee shops, dorm rooms and personal devices. Meanwhile, cybercriminals are leveraging AI to launch more sophisticated phishing attacks, automate reconnaissance and accelerate ransomware campaigns.

For higher education and K-12 IT leaders, the challenge is no longer whether to embrace AI innovation — it’s how to do so without compromising institutional integrity, regulatory compliance or user experience.

Join Netskope and the Center for Digital Education for a forward-looking conversation on what secure education environments will require in 2026 and beyond. This interactive webinar will explore how a unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) strategy can help institutions modernize security operations, reduce technical debt and safely enable AI-driven learning and research.

Discussion topics will include:

  • How is AI adoption evolving across institutions?
  • What risks are emerging as faculty, staff and students independently adopt AI tools?
  • What are the next major priorities for securing AI-enabled learning and research environments?

Whether your institution is beginning its AI governance journey or rethinking a complex legacy security stack, this webinar will provide practical insights into building a resilient, AI-ready campus.

Attend the live webinar to obtain your complimentary certificate of attendance!

Speakers

Mike Anderson headshot

Mike Anderson

Chief Digital and Information Officer, Netskope

Mike Anderson brings over 20 years of experience to his role as Chief Digital and Information Officer for Netskope, having built and led high-performing teams across a wide range of disciplines, including sales, operations, business development, and information technology. He is considered a thought leader, visionary, and speaker on digital transformation, leadership, and business agility.

He joins Netskope from Schneider Electric, a global fortune 500 industrial manufacturer, where he served as SVP, CIO and Digital Leader for North America. In 2020, Constellation Research named him a member of the Business Transformation 150, an elite list that recognizes the top global executives leading business transformation efforts in their organizations. The National Diversity Council also recognized him as a Top 50 CIO for diversity and inclusion. Before Schneider Electric, Mike served as CIO for CROSSMARK, where he digitally transformed the business capabilities for the 40,000 employee service provider to the retail and consumer goods industry. Also, he has held executive leadership roles at Enterprise Mobile, a Microsoft joint venture that is now part of Honeywell, Insight, Software Spectrum, and InVerge, a web services pioneer that he co-founded in 1999.

Mike serves on numerous technology and industry advisory boards and volunteers his time working with nonprofits focused on mental health and suicide prevention and those that benefit the development of our future workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D. headshot

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D.

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D., is an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Senior Professor of Practice at Tulane University where he oversees academic programs in information technology, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and other applied fields. He leads strategic curriculum development, assessment, new program design, and faculty governance with a focus on preparing adult learners for rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven careers.

Beyond higher education, Dr. Rials is recognized nationally as a leading voice at the intersection of government, technology, and education. He serves as a Senior Fellow with both the Center for Digital Government and Education and the Center for Public Sector AI, where he provides strategic insights on innovation, workforce transformation, and the responsible use of emerging technologies. A frequent keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator, he engages national audiences on topics ranging from AI adoption and cybersecurity resilience to digital transformation in state and local government. His expertise is regularly featured in national media outlets and industry publications, and he contributes scholarship, commentary, and research in both academic journals and practitioner platforms.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Rials held various senior technology leadership roles in both state and local governments, where he focused on large-scale modernization and innovation initiatives overseeing enterprise IT strategy, cybersecurity programs, and digital service delivery. In these roles, he led efforts to expand cloud adoption, strengthen information security, and modernize legacy systems to improve efficiency and transparency for citizens and public employees. His work in government laid the foundation for his ongoing research and national thought leadership on the adoption of emerging technologies in the public sector.

He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Public Administration from Jackson State University, an M.S. in Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity from Missouri State University, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Belhaven University.

Brian Cohen headshot

Brian Cohen — Moderator

Vice President of the Center for Digital Education and Center for Digital Government, e.Republic

Brian Cohen is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Government and Center Digital Education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian served for 30 years in IT leadership roles with the City of New York and most recently with the City University of New York (CUNY).

As the Vice-Chancellor and University CIO at CUNY, Brian directed the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS), developed, and managed the enterprise IT vision, strategy and day-to-day technology operations of the University. His areas of focus included academic and business systems, cloud strategies, IT policies and procedures, Cybersecurity, project management, IT resiliency and disaster recovery, and network and telecommunications.

During his time with the City of New York, Brian developed the City of New York’s E-Government strategy, implemented the City’s award-winning nyc.gov website, and managed the City’s effort to address the Y2K technology challenge.

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