2027
Cyber Summit
Sponsorship Brochure
To learn more about Cyber Summit, please contact us:
Samantha Williams
Steve Stone
Event Coordinator
CIS Advisory Board
Appalachian State’s CIS Department is among the nation’s leaders in offering cybersecurity concentrations, minors, and majors inside a college of business. To further industry awareness and to support the financial needs of our students, we established the Cyber Summit in 2021.
The Appalachian State Cyber Summit has established itself as one of the preeminent cyber security events in the tri-state area of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. All proceeds from the Cyber Summit event provide financial assistance for Appalachian State CIS students.
The Cyber Summit is held over two days. Our Technology Leaders and Luminaries Dinner is held on the night before the Cyber Summit. This dinner focuses on technology leaders, best practices, building unified technology teams, and networking. The 2027 event will be held Thursday, April 1.
The Cyber Summit is a multi-track day-long event featuring presentations from leaders in cybersecurity and will be held Friday, April 2, 2027.
Sponsors and attendees will select from one of three different topic tracks including:
Our 2026 events were sponsored by 24 organizations, including our title sponsor, Lowe’s.
EVENT BACKGROUND
Our Focus
The Cyber Summit is held each year by Appalachian State’s Computer Information Systems (CIS) Advisory Board. Appalachian State is one of the few institutions on the east coast to offer a cybersecurity major fully within a college of business.
Our goal is to build the leading Cyber Security educational program in the Southeast. We also strive to increase involvement and opportunities in technology for all students. All proceeds from Cyber Summit support the funding of scholarships for CIS students needing financial assistance.
2027 Event
The Technology Leaders and Luminaries Dinner will be held Thursday April 1 in the Grandview Ballroom in the North Endzone facility at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The Cyber Summit will be held for the first time in the Plemmons Student Union on Friday, April 2.
We expect more than 500 attendees for the combined events .
Details regarding sponsorships are found in the Call for Sponsors section of this brochure. Please note, sponsorships opportunities are limited and will be granted on a first-come basis.
ABOUT CYBER SUMMIT
We are actively seeking sponsors and speakers for the 2027 Cyber Summit and Technology Leaders and Luminaries Dinner.
Sponsorships costs and benefits are defined in detail on the following pages titled Sponsorship Levels.
This year we will host all sponsors, CIS Advisory Board members, local technology leaders, and CIS Faculty at our inaugural Cyber Summit Appreciation and Welcome Event on Thursday, April 1 prior to the Technology Leaders and Luminaries Dinner.
If you would like to become a sponsor or need additional information on the 2027 Appalachian State Cyber Summit, please connect with us using the contact information provided below.
Event Coordinator
Samantha Williams
CIS Advisory Board
Steve Stone
CALL FOR SPONSORS
Sponsors will have their company logo featured on the Cyber Summit Website, social media posts, event signage, and all promotional materials
For sponsors wishing to interview students, designated areas will be provided while the event is in process. Interviews will be confirmed with sponsors two weeks prior to the event.
All Event Tickets come with reserved event parking
Gold
$3,500
(15)
Social
$3,000
(1)
Silver
$1,500
(10)
Bronze
$750
(10)
Transport
$2,500
(1)
Company featured on all promotional materials and event signage
Company name and logo featured on event website and social media posts
Student Interview Slots*
Cyber Summit Event Tickets
Tech Leaders & Luminaries Tickets
Cyber Summit Welcome & Appreciation Tickets
Event Contact List
Table/Booth at Event
Company name and logo on all transportation vehicles (parking to event)
4
3
2
2
1
4
3
2
2
1
5
4
2
2
1
5
4
3
3
Sponsorship Benefits
Sponsorship Level, Cost, Availability
* - Sponsors are not required to interview. If the sponsoring company wishes to interview, the number shown is the maximum number of students that will be scheduled.
** - Sponsor will select between Leadership, Technology, and Governance, Risk, & Compliance Tracks.
Track Speaking Slot **
30 min
15 min
2027 CYBER SUMMIT
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Sponsors will have their company logo featured on the Cyber Summit Website, social media posts, event signage, and all promotional materials
For sponsors wishing to interview students, designated areas will be provided while the event is in process. Interviews will be confirmed with sponsors two weeks prior to the event.
All Event Tickets come with reserved event parking
Gold
$5,000
(1)
Social
$3,500
(1)
Bronze
$750
(10)
Company featured on all promotional materials and event signage
Company name and logo featured on event website and social media posts
Student Interview Slots*
Cyber Summit Event Tickets
Tech Leaders & Luminaries Tickets
Cyber Summit Welcome & Appreciation Tickets
Event Contact List
Table/Booth at Cyber Summit
4
2
1
3
3
1
6
4
2
3
2
Sponsorship Benefits
Sponsorship Level, Cost, Availability
* - Sponsors are not required to interview. If the sponsoring company wishes to interview, the number shown is the maximum number of students that will be scheduled.
Keynote Speaker Slot
45 min
2027 LEADERS & LUMINARIES
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
The 2026 Cyber Summit was held on April 10, 2026. Attendees were treated to engaging presentations, centered largely on the impact of AI on the cybersecurity landscape.
Marc Varner, CISO of Lowe’s provided a thought-provoking keynote: Elevating the game: What’s Next.
Title
Gold
Social
Silver
Bronze
2026 Cyber Summit Sponsors
2026 CYBER SUMMIT
RECAP
The 2026 Leaders & Luminaries Dinner was held on April 9, 2026, achieving record attendance.
Attendees heard a rousing keynote from Daphne Mazile of Forvis Mazars US and an energetic panel discussion.
Title
Gold
Social
Bronze
2026 Technology
Leaders & Luminaries Sponsors
2026 LEADERS &
LUMINARIES RECAP
The Appalachian State Cyber Summit was established in 2021 to serve as the primary source of scholarship funding for the programs within the CIS Department in the Walker College of Business.
As the Appalachian State cybersecurity program was just being introduced in 2021, the decision was made to focus the event on the changing landscape in cyber security.
Over the past five years we have focused on growing the event, adding more sponsors, improving sponsor benefits/value, and increasing attendance. The success of the event has resulted in nearly $300,000 of scholarships provided to students needing financial assistance, while also enabling the creation of the Cyber Summit Endowment.
The Cyber Summit Endowment was established in 2025 by proceeds from the Cyber Summit. The Endowment will provide perpetual funding for CIS Scholarships.
We believe the degrees in the Appalachian State CIS Department position our students for success in the hyper-competitive technology field. Cybersecurity, data analytics, and the growing importance of artificial intelligence are just some of the cornerstones of our CIS curriculum.
We are focused on constantly revising our curriculum to meet the needs of the business community, while offering our students the best opportunities for employment.
The scholarships provided by the Cyber Summit are vital enablers for many of our students. The next two pages provide the stories of some of our recent scholarship recipients.
CYBER SUMMIT
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
Department of
Computer
Information
Systems (CIS)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
Receiving a scholarship is deeply meaningful and has an immediate impact on my pursuit for a degree in Cybersecurity and CIS. As a single father of four school age children, balancing a full academic course load and being there for my children presents a unique challenge daily. This scholarship allows me to focus on college without the added financial strain of needing to take on a job. This allows me to focus my attention on what matters most, which is being present for my children and my course work.
Because of this support, I have been able to maintain an overall GPA of 3.88 and a 3.95 GPA in the courses required for my major.
Knowing the impact donors and events like the Cyber Summit continue to have on my journey, not only has me grateful for the support they provided me with but also the support they continue to provide for my fellow students. Thank you for your continued generosity!
TIM STEWART
Cybersecurity and CIS
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
LUKE BALDWIN
Cybersecurity and CIS
Scholarships have had a direct and meaningful impact on my educational experience through many ways but most notably by providing financial support that allowed me to focus on opportunities that would strengthen my career goals. Because of scholarship assistance, I was able to lengthen my cybersecurity internship without needing to seek additional sources of income to help pay for school expenses. This extra time allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience working with cybersecurity tools, incident response processes, and learn what it takes to manage and support a large organization.
The scholarship not only reduced financial stress, but it also provided me with the flexibility to invest more time in developing practical skills and professional experience that will benefit me throughout my future career. Without this support, balancing work, school, and financial responsibilities would have been much more difficult, and I may not have had the same opportunities for growth and learning.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
FAYTH WITTHOFT
Computer Information Systems
Receiving a scholarship eases the burden of building my future. Thanks to the support I’ve received, I am encouraged and motivated to take full advantage of every opportunity set before me. The scholarships I have earned have helped me aspire to more than I thought I was capable of, including being selected as a Walker Fellow and inducted into the Alpha Iota Mu Honors
Society.
As a CIS major in the Walker College of Business, I am excited to continue taking strides toward graduation. Following graduation, I plan to stay local and build my career by combining my technical education and healthcare experience to make a positive, lasting impact on my community.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
ALEAH KELLY
Computer Information Systems
Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me because it takes away some of the financial stress that comes with college and lets me focus more on my education. I have worked hard throughout college to maintain strong grades and stay committed to my degree, so having someone support me and believe in what I am working toward means a lot. This scholarship will help me continue pursuing my degree in CIS with a concentration in Cybersecurity and focus on building the skills I will need for my future career.
I am very thankful to all the donors who made this possible and for the difference their generosity is making in my education and future here at App State.
After I graduate from App State, I plan to start my career in cybersecurity. I am especially interested
in network security and the ethical questions surrounding the progression of AI. I am excited to keep learning, gain experience, and see where a career in cybersecurity takes me.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
DAWSON FAULWETTER
Computer Information Systems
When it comes to pursuing higher education, one of the largest hurdles that students face is that of cost where over 42% of students between ages 18 and 29 years old have reported having to take out student loans in order complete a degree. Scholarships are one of the ways the financial cost of a degree can be lowered for students and alleviate some of the stress of loan repayment later down the road. The impact of receiving a scholarship to me is the ability to pursue a higher calling within myself without the constant worry of loan repayment looming over my head for years to come and allowing myself to focus purely on my studies to learn as much as I can and advance within my professional career post graduation.
Post graduation my plans are to purse a career in Network Engineering/Network Administration. I initially plan on starting out in an entry level position like a Help Desk role or Network Associate while working on completing a few certifications like Network+ and CCNA.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
ISAIAH LOFTIS
Computer Information Systems
Scholarships are a vital part of any student's academic journey because they alleviate the financial stress of higher education and
allow students to focus on their studies and development. Receiving a scholarship from the CIS department is an incredible honor that
significantly affects my academic journey.
Personally, this support means I can dedicate more of my time to studies and developing my
professional skill set through the CIS department without financial stress. Additionally, it is incredibly motivating to know that donors
from the CIS department and events like the Cyber Summit believe in the potential of students like me, and their generosity drives me to excel. I am deeply grateful for this investment in my future and look forward to making the donors of the CIS department proud.
After graduation, I plan to enter the technology sector, focusing on IT infrastructure and networking.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2026
Completed funded by the Cyber Summit
KAMSI NGENE
Computer Information Systems
Scholarships are important for students and donors alike. Providing the student with funds and confidence to continue their academic career. They show the student that there are support systems in place that want to see them succeed and support their future.
For donors they provide a means to give back to the community and strengthen the universities best and brightest. To me, it means
knowing that there are donors that believe in me and want to see me succeed.
My plans after graduation are to work in the
cybersecurity and IT field to be a strong cyber professional and protect institutions.
2027 CYBER SUMMIT
SPEAKER LOGISTICS
2027 CYBER SUMMIT
SPEAKER TOPICS
Target
Audience
Track
Description
Potential
Topics
CISOs, CIOs, CTOs, senior cybersecurity leaders, IT leaders, business executives, directors, and managers
Security architects, engineers, analysts, developers, technical leaders, SOC teams, IT professionals, cybersecurity practitioners, researchers, and technically focused students
CISOs, risk leaders, compliance professionals, auditors, privacy professionals, legal professionals, security managers, governance leaders, and executives with cyber-risk responsibilities
Focuses on the strategic, organizational, and leadership dimensions of cybersecurity. Sessions explore how leaders build effective security organizations, align cybersecurity with business objectives, communicate risk, manage crises, and prepare their organizations for an evolving threat landscape.
Explores emerging cybersecurity technologies, evolving threats, and technical best practices. Sessions provide practical insight into the technologies, architectures, tools, and techniques organizations can use to detect, prevent, and respond to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Focuses on managing cybersecurity risk through governance, frameworks, regulatory compliance, insurance, and organizational controls. Sessions help organizations understand evolving requirements and translate them into practical approaches for managing and demonstrating cyber risk.
Leadership
Technology
Governance, Risk, &
Compliance
Lead & Prepare
Defend & Secure
Govern, manage risk,
demonstrate compliance
2027 LEADERS & LUMINARIES
SPEAKER TOPICS & LOGISTICS
Faculty Leads
Dr. Scott Hunsinger CIS Department Chair
Samantha Williams CIS Department Administrator
Board Chair
Steve Stone Retired CIO, Lowe’s & L Brands
2026-2027
CIS ADVISORY BOARD