Attorney General Griffin Announces Cybersecurity Summit October 7-8 Featuring Top Federal Cybersecurity Expert
May 21, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin announced today that he will host a Cybersecurity Summit on October 7-8, 2024, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. The summit is free to attend and will feature Jen Easterly, Director of the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), as the keynote speaker. This event will be held in conjunction with the fifth annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit, also taking place at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Griffin released a statement regarding the summit: “Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important as online technology advances. My office regularly deals with cybersecurity issues related to scams, data breaches, sexual exploitation, and other aspects of online criminal activity, so we are on the front lines of this fight every single day. I’m a big believer in the power of collaboration, so I am convening experts, stakeholders, policymakers, business owners, and the general public for two days in October. Some of the presentations will be held with the Forge Institute.”
He continued: “While there will be plenty of Arkansas-specific concerns addressed, this much-needed summit will have national and international appeal as we bring in top experts in the field of cybersecurity. I am particularly thrilled that Jen Easterly, Director of CISA, will serve as our keynote speaker. I’ve known Jen for a long time, and there is no one in government more knowledgeable than her on the topic of cybersecurity.”
Griffin also expressed his enthusiasm for working with private sector partners: “I am also proud to work with our private sector partners at the Forge Institute. Their cybersecurity expertise and capabilities are invaluable resources to our country, and working alongside such a strong Arkansas-based organization like Forge makes sense for our event.”
The Cybersecurity Summit is open to the public; however, attendees must register in advance. More information about registration and event details will be provided in upcoming months. Inquiries about the summit can be directed to the Office of the Attorney General at (501) 682-2007 or oag@arkansasag.gov.
About Attorney General Tim Griffin:
Tim Griffin was sworn in as Arkansas's 57th Attorney General on January 10, 2023. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023 and represented Arkansas’s Second Congressional District from 2011-2015. During his tenure in Congress, he served on several committees including Ways and Means; Armed Services; Foreign Affairs; Ethics; Judiciary; and was Deputy Whip for the Majority.
Griffin has over 27 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and currently holds the rank of colonel. His military service includes active duty as an Army prosecutor at Fort Campbell and deployment with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.
Currently serving as Commander of the 2d Legal Operations Detachment in New Orleans, Louisiana., Griffin has previously commanded units including Fort Liberty’s (formerly Bragg) 134th Legal Operations Detachment.
His career includes roles such as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Arkansas; Special Assistant to President George W. Bush; Deputy Director of Political Affairs; Senior Investigative Counsel for Government Reform Committee; Associate Independent Counsel during HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros investigation among others.
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