October 13, 2026
From AI-enabled attacks and geopolitical disruption to growing regulatory pressure, CISOs are confronting a broader and more complex risk landscape than ever before. Gartner CISO Communities bring security executives from leading organizations together so they can share practical experience, validate strategies and address the challenges shaping cybersecurity and business resilience.
Executive Summits are a key part of this experience. These full-day, in-person gatherings give CISOs dedicated time to step away from the demands of incident response and day-to-day operations to focus on strategic priorities. Participants hear from Gartner analysts, experienced practitioners and industry thought leaders; engage in interactive discussions; and take part in facilitated one-on-one peer meetings based on shared challenges and interests.
As Larry Woods, VP, CISO and Chief Privacy Officer at Post Holdings, shared:
Success requires the sharing of ideas, best practices, innovative thinking, and, at times, threat intelligence... These communities create a support network that helps us collectively strengthen not only our own organizations, but also the critical services many of us are responsible for protecting.
This fall, Gartner CISO Communities will convene for 25 Executive Summits across North America, Europe and Australia. The sessions below offer a preview of the timely conversations ahead, from securing autonomous AI and navigating cyber crises to strengthening business influence and cyber resilience and exploring what comes next for the CISO role.
This fall, Gartner CISO Communities will convene for 25 Executive Summits across North America, Europe and Australia. The sessions below offer a preview of the timely conversations ahead, from securing autonomous AI and navigating cyber crises to strengthening business influence and cyber resilience and exploring what comes next for the CISO role.
- The Autonomous Frontier — Leading Secure AI Transformation at the New York CISO Community Executive Summit
As organizations increasingly rely on autonomous agents, CISOs are rethinking how security, oversight and accountability should work in an AI-enabled enterprise. In this interactive session, Ronen Halevy, VP, Information Security at Sony Corporation of America; David Stern, CISO at KKR; and Mandy Andress, CISO at Elastic, will lead a boardroom discussion on how CISOs can support agentic workflows while maintaining appropriate control. They will also explore how security can accelerate, not hinder, responsible innovation.
- Leading Through Crisis— How CISOs Navigate Turbulent Times and Lessons from the TFL Cyber Attack at the UK & Ireland CISO Community Executive Summit
Effective incident response depends not only on technology and processes, but also on how people respond under pressure. In this session, Jules Gascoigne, CISO at Transport for London, will share lessons from a recent TFL cyber incident and examine the human factors that influence crisis response and recovery. The discussion will also address how CISOs can guide teams through uncertainty, support employee well-being and foster psychological safety during high-pressure incidents.
3 From CISO to Business Influencer at the Atlanta CISO Community Executive Summit
The modern CISO must influence business outcomes while managing cyber risk. In this session, John Gift, SVP and Global CISO at PepsiCo, will explore how security executives can become more effective strategic partners by connecting cybersecurity to growth, innovation and organizational reputation. He will also discuss how CISOs can build a culture of responsible innovation and develop intentional relationships to help their organizations navigate evolving threats and operational challenges.
4 The Next Unmanageable Asset at the Houston CISO Community Executive Summit
As operational technology and autonomous AI increasingly converge, traditional approaches to managing cyber risk are being challenged. In this interactive session, Connie Devine, Deputy CISO at Phillips 66, and Jay McMickle, CISO at Oceaneering International, will discuss lessons from OT security leaders who manage technology that can be difficult to inventory, update or take offline. They will explore where controls such as isolation and segmentation remain effective, where they may fall short and how security leaders can adapt governance and resilience strategies as OT and AI environments collide.
5 From Assumptions to Action – Rethinking Cybersecurity Leadership at the DACH CISO Community Executive Summit
Drawing on original research, systems thinking and darkly comic scenarios, Matthias Muhlert, Group CISO at Oetker Group and author of Electric Sheep, Encrypted Dreams, will challenge CISOs to examine the assumptions behind their metrics, governance models and transformation efforts. He will explore how cybernetics can inform adaptive architecture, independent assurance and governance at different speeds, as well as how clearer accountability can help security leaders identify systemic weaknesses and make better-informed decisions.
6 Beyond Cybersecurity — Managing Data and Technology Risks in an Uncertain World at the Melbourne CISO Community Executive Summit
In this session, Samantha Analytis, Director, Data Security Strategy at the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, will examine how organizations can assess risks related to data access, third-party dependencies, supply chains and foreign ownership, control and influence. Drawing on government guidance and practical considerations, she will discuss how leaders can protect critical information, make more informed technology and supplier decisions, and enable innovation and collaboration without compromising trust.
7 What Comes Next for the CISO? At the Chicago CISO Community Executive Summit
The CISO role is expanding from protecting the enterprise to helping shape how the business operates, innovates and manages risk. In this boardroom discussion, Steve Wenc, Group Vice President, Executive Services at Gartner, and Chris Lugo, VP and CISO at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, will lead an open conversation on how the role is evolving. They will discuss the forces expanding CISO influence, the impact of AI on security talent and operating models, and the opportunities and challenges associated with a more strategic leadership mandate.
These sessions highlight the wide range of challenges CISOs are navigating – from securing autonomous AI and managing operational risk to leading through crisis and strengthening business influence.
Our Executive Summits provide a trusted setting to explore these priorities with peers who understand the demands and complexities of the CISO role. Through candid conversations, practical insights and shared experiences, participants can pressure-test their approaches, learn from real-world examples and build relationships that extend beyond the event.
As Temi Adebambo, CISO at XBOX, shared:
The Community] provides a valuable sounding board of executive peers who are navigating similar technological and regulatory shifts. The ability to validate strategies, share unvarnished operational realities, and benchmark our approaches against cross-industry standards is critical for staying ahead of the threat curve.
Ready to connect with your CISO peers? Join your local community to participate in an Executive Summit and gain practical insights through peer exchange, expert perspectives and collaborative discussion. Already a member? Sign in to the app and register today.
By CISOs, For CISOs®
Find your local community and explore the benefits of becoming a member.
