Cybersecurity Expert to Share Strategies, Defenses Against Online Crime during Keynote Address at 2026 FGIA Annual Conference

Brian Scott, founder of ClearTone Consulting, will deliver his address, “The Cybercrime Machine: Breaking Down Complexity, Building Simple Defenses” on Tuesday, March 3. Join FGIA for this session and more March 2-5 in Huntington Beach, CA by registering now.

“All companies know the risks of getting scammed or having sensitive information exposed,” said Florica Vlad, FGIA Events Manager. “After Brian’s keynote, participants will walk away with a realistic view of today’s cybercrime and an empowering framework that makes cybersecurity simple, practical and achievable for every organization.”

Per Scott, cybercrime has become a global industry. It is organized, professional and relentlessly growing. What was once the work of isolated hackers has exploded into a multi-trillion-dollar criminal economy, powered by global syndicates, ransomware-as-a-service and a black market for stolen data. Add to this the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven attacks, AI-generated phishing campaigns and automated vulnerability discovery, the threat landscape has never been more dangerous or fast-moving. In this keynote session, participants will gain a clear understanding of:

• How cybercrime has industrialized into a massive global enterprise
• The role AI is playing in making attacks more effective, more convincing and more scalable
• Why traditional defenses alone are no longer enough
• How six simple but powerful protections can dramatically reduce an organization’s risk profile
• Practical steps businesses of all sizes can take immediately to strengthen resilience without breaking the budget

About the Speaker

Brian Scott, founder of 501CISO and ClearTone Consulting, is a seasoned technology leader with 37 years of experience including 25 years in C-level CIO and CISO roles. He brings deep expertise in cybersecurity, software and data engineering, system integration and association IT strategy. With 25 years of focused work in the nonprofit and association sectors, Scott combines technical acumen with mission-driven insight. He holds a patent in event technology, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and has served as a board director for both the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.

Conference Registration

FGIA members can take advantage of early-bird pricing through February 6 and register for the conference for a fee of $1,050. Non-members may register for $1,600 before February 14, or $1,800 after that date. Spouses and guests may be included in events for a fee of $225 per person or may opt for the all-inclusive upgrade, which includes evening events and all meals, for $450 each.

For more information about FGIA events, visit FGIAonline.org/events.