SCinet

INDIS 2026 - Cybersecurity panel

Date: November 15th, 2026, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Panel Abstract: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity on both sides of the digital battlefield. While AI enhances threat detection, automates defenses, and strengthens resilience, it also enables more sophisticated cyberattacks, from advanced phishing and malware to automated exploitation and social engineering. This panel brings together experts from industry, academia, and government to explore the opportunities, risks, and governance challenges of AI in cybersecurity. Attendees will gain practical insights into emerging threats, responsible AI adoption, and strategies for securing organizations in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Panelists:

  1. Adam Slagell (ESnet): Adam Slagell is Chief Security Officer at the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), where he leads cybersecurity strategy and operations for one of the world's premier high-performance research and education networks. Previously, he held cybersecurity leadership roles at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois, where he advanced security for large-scale research computing and cyberinfrastructure. He is widely recognized for his expertise in network security, incident response, and protecting scientific computing environments.
  2. Anita Nikolich (NCSA, UIUC): Director of Research and Technology Innovation and a Research Scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's School of Information Sciences, with an affiliate appointment at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). A nationally recognized expert in cybersecurity, networking, and AI, her research focuses on secure cyberinfrastructure, privacy, trustworthy AI, and research security. She previously served as Program Director for Cybersecurity at the National Science Foundation and has held leadership positions in academia and industry, including the University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Aon, and WorldCom.
  3. Ryan Walker (UIUC): Manager of Security Operations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he leads teams responsible for protecting the university's enterprise systems, research infrastructure, and digital assets. His expertise includes security operations, incident response, threat detection, vulnerability management, and cyber risk mitigation. Ryan works closely with campus stakeholders to strengthen institutional cyber resilience while supporting the university's mission of research, education, and innovation.
  4. Michael Skwarek (Argonne National Laboratory): Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Argonne National Laboratory, where he leads the laboratory's cybersecurity strategy and enterprise information technology initiatives. He is responsible for safeguarding Argonne's world-class scientific computing, research infrastructure, and critical information assets while enabling secure collaboration and innovation. With extensive experience in cyber defense, risk management, and IT leadership, Michael works across the U.S. Department of Energy community to strengthen cybersecurity and support the laboratory's mission of advancing scientific discovery and national security.
  5. Matt Kwiatkowski (Fermi Lab): Division Head and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), where he leads the laboratory's cybersecurity strategy, governance, and enterprise security operations. He oversees the protection of Fermilab's scientific computing environments, research infrastructure, and critical information assets while enabling secure collaboration across the global high-energy physics community. Matt's work focuses on cyber resilience, risk management, and advancing security practices that support cutting-edge scientific research and innovation