NODAKON returns for sixth year at Minot State

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University’s premier cybersecurity summit, NODAKON, is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Student Center Conference Center.

In its sixth year, NODAKON: AI, Cybersecurity, and Future Readiness is presented by MSU’s School of Business, Math, and Technology. This year’s event will feature four campus and community sessions and one session each reserved for Minot State students and for MSU faculty and staff. The summit is sponsored by the MSU Cultural and Intellectual Engagement Council, SRT, and First Western Bank & Trust.

"Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of every industry, organization, and community,” said Kristi Berg, MSU professor in computer information systems. “NODAKON provides an opportunity for students, professionals, and community members to better understand emerging technologies, recognize evolving cyber threats, and develop the knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly digital world."

The first three sessions and lunch are free and open to the community, starting at 10 a.m.

The summit will begin with a welcome and opening remarks, followed by Insight Sessions with Chris Gergen, chief information officer with North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT); Shawn Grosz, chief technology officer with SRT; and Luis Estrada, senior vice president of information security/strategic initiatives with First Western Bank & Trust. Gergen will discuss the need for passionate people in cybersecurity; Grosz will cover cybersecurity challenges as an ISP; and Estrada will discuss AI and banking.

At 11 a.m., NODAKON will feature a roundtable event, AI at Work: How organizations are adapting, featuring six panelists. Estrada will be joined by Jason Anderson, data insights and AI manager at NDIT; Jesse Clark, application security at Tyler Technologies; Ryan Jockers, senior data scientist at Ligonier Ministries; Jordan Kelly, network operations manager at SRT; and Seth Hendershot, system administrator at Trinity Health.

Jockers will give a keynote address during a free lunch starting at 12 p.m., centering on proactive AI practices. Minot State will provide lunch, and attendees must register online before NODAKON.

The afternoon sessions of NODAKON are only open to Minot State students, faculty, and staff and both begin at 1:15 p.m.

The student session will feature a cyber challenge by NDIT’s Jon Heard and Jeremy Larson, both cybersecurity analysts, at Model Hall 116. Registration for the student session is not required and is open to all majors. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

MSU’s Nathan Anderson, director of institutional assessment and self-described AI enthusiast, will present an AI in Action workshop at Old Main 314 for MSU faculty and staff. Anderson will show how to convert static documents into dynamic, deployable infographics. Spots in the faculty and staff session are limited, and registration is required by contacting Berg by email.