Defending domestic computer networks and data from foreign attacks is at the center of this year’s annual Forge Summit in North Little Rock.
The seventh annual gathering will be Oct. 13-14 in downtown North Little Rock and will showcase the future of cybersecurity defense.
The event will bring together utility operators, policymakers and corporate executives to discuss actionable threat intelligence and defense technologies. The summit will push professionals to adopt emerging technologies that benefit national and economic security.
“Foreign adversaries are increasingly using irregular warfare to bypass traditional military defenses and directly attack the American economy,” a news release said. “By targeting the power grids, water systems and local businesses communities rely on daily, these hidden attacks threaten our fundamental way of life.”
The Forge Summit will feature keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions and network-focused breakout sessions, gathering the nation’s “top business innovators and national security experts.”
Past keynote speakers include leaders from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency and more.
The news release described Forge Summit as an “active proving ground.”
“Attendees can collaborate directly with military leaders, utility operators and tech innovators to map out shared defense challenges and learn exactly what risks threaten daily operations. Participants will learn how to safely deploy emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, to address these vulnerabilities,” the news release stated.
Several invited or featured speakers attending this year’s Forge Summit include U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Bill Carter, public sector cybersecurity strategist for Fortinet and H. Beth Anne Bygum, chief information security officer for Q2.
Forge Summit will host Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day during the conference, where dual-use and defense tech startups will showcase innovations from commercial to military acquisition. Advancements in AI, manufacturing, cybersecurity and more will be on display at the event.
Other workshops, keynotes and panels will be announced as the event draws closer.
Tickets are $250 for the two-day summit, including complimentary meals and happy hour drinks sponsored by Heartland Business Systems, a Cisco preferred partner.
The event extends into a third “classified” day that requires clearance attendees.
Registration for the summit is currently open until Sept. 30 and is restricted to U.S. citizens.
The 2026 Forge Summit is sponsored by Fortinet, Q2 and APEX.
