Red Hat and the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Office of Space Commerce co-hosted the fifth annual Cybersecurity Open Forum – Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, in Washington, D.C. This in-person and virtual event is an opportunity to hear from leading experts, practitioners, representatives from state and federal agencies about the evolving nature of cybersecurity, from new technologies to new concerns for operational and sovereign resilience. These insights will guide collaborative government and industry partnerships to accelerate innovation while protecting critical industries as a foundation of national economic power.

Join the discussion with leaders from the field who are shaping evolutionary approaches to safeguard against current and emerging threats for secure data and commerce in important commercial sectors. Topics include technology, communications, computing and security measures that inform best practices and policies within an ever-changing landscape that encompasses threats, vulnerabilities, and intelligence.

Three themes were highlighted at this year’s Open Forum:

1. Cybersecurity for AI: As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into government operations and critical infrastructure, the event will delve into the profound cybersecurity implications of this transformative technology. The conference will address the emerging trends in securing AI systems, from autonomous systems to advanced data analytics, and examine how current laws, regulations, and policies may be lagging behind the rapid pace of AI development. Participants will explore innovative strategies and best practices to safeguard against novel threats, ensuring the resilience and trustworthiness of AI-driven systems within the U.S. government and across vital commercial sectors. As always, we dive into the unique aspects of space systems as an illuminating case study and an area to apply lessons and shape future strategy.
2. A focus on results: This conference will emphasize a critical paradigm shift in cybersecurity: moving beyond a mere compliance-driven approach to one centered on tangible results and measurable outcomes. The need is being driven by a radical shift in how complex systems are built and operated with integrated AI, the continued acceleration and sophistication of supply chain threats, and the complexity of modern vulnerability management in the face of an avalanche of CVEs. Key to this transition will be a proactive systems approach to minimizing risk while reliably measuring effectiveness and rapid iterative improvement. We'll look at applying best practices for protecting open data and cloud environments with this goal in mind. And we will aim to identify current cybersecurity trends and address where existing frameworks may be lagging needs, fostering a proactive and outcome-oriented approach to national cybersecurity.
3. A retrospective: In our fifth year, we will look back on our history of the event. How these events have helped enable stakeholders throughout the U.S. Government and industry prepare for the future. A review of some of the past themes, session, and innovations that have been highlighted in this event. A case study on how we have helped influence forward looking policy.

Created March 18, 2026, Updated May 12, 2026