SIA Conference banner with keynote speaker, Gharun Lacy

State Department Official to Keynote 2026 SIA GovSummit

The Security Industry Association will host its annual public policy and government security technology conference in Washington, D.C., this May.

A top cybersecurity official from the U.S. Department of State will headline the 2026 SIA GovSummit, the Security Industry Association announced.

Gharun Lacy, deputy assistant secretary and assistant director for cyber and technology security at the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, will serve as the keynote speaker for the second day of the conference. Lacy oversees global cybersecurity initiatives for more than 270 diplomatic posts.

The summit is scheduled for May 20-21 and focuses on the intersection of government policy and security technology. The program facilitates information sharing between government security leaders and private industry developers regarding federal, state and local agency needs.

The 2026 agenda includes sessions on the evolution of federal identity and access control, artificial intelligence in weapons detection and the protection of critical infrastructure from insider threats. Other topics will cover counter-drone defense under the Safer Skies Act and new standards for school security.

Featured speakers include representatives from the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the General Services Administration. Experts will also discuss how government entities can defend physical security systems against AI-driven attacks and navigate federal grant opportunities for security funding.

The event includes a security roundtable and networking opportunities for attendees. Registration is free for government employees, including military, public safety and education staff.

About the Author

Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of SecurityToday.com.

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