In some ways, the word “cyber security” seems insufficient because the challenges that agencies face cross myriad threats, attackers, technologies and systems that, oh by the way, change on a regular basis.

One of the primary themes of the Symantec Government Symposium, taking place on December 5 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington D.C. is to explore these complex challenges. While there may be no one way to battle these obstacles, the government community can work together to fight back, sharing information and best practices to ensure that no one takes on this challenge alone.

The first of our four tracks at the Symposium will focus specifically on these complex challenges, bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia to discuss how best to approach them. There will be two sessions that directly tackle this topic area, discussing two major components agencies currently face.

The first session will focus on “Enemy Number One: Threats from the Inside.” It explores that while data theft from people such as Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning receive national headlines, it is the accidental insider threat that may be more pervasive. The insider threat dynamic is one of the most challenging for agencies as, although there will be some insiders who act with malicious intent, the majority are good employees with good intentions who make a terrible mistake. The insider threat issue is multi-faceted and complex, along with one of the most dangerous in terms of impact on the government mission.

Scheduled speakers on this panel include:

• Archana Vemulapalli, CTO, Washington D.C.

• Michael Seage, Director for the Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center, Defense Security Service

• Joe Kirschbaum, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office

• Neil Carmichael, Jr., Director, Insider Threat Program, National Archives and Records Administration

• Aubrey Merchant-Dest, Federal CTO, Symantec (moderator)

The second panel to focus on complex challenges will delve into how to stay one step ahead of adversaries. This is easier said than done, obviously, but is an area that has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Public and private sector entities are working together to share information, so when a virus like WannaCry breaks out stakeholders can take proactive measures to protect themselves. This panel will look into how groups currently work together and how they can improve going forward.

Scheduled speakers on this panel include:

• Randy Vickers, CISO, U.S. House of Representatives

• Maj. Gen. Donald P. Dunbar, Adjutant General, Wisconsin

• Christopher Brown, Deputy Director, NGA Cyber Security Operations Cell, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

• Patrick Gardner, Vice President, Engineering Advanced Threat Protection, Symantec (moderator)

Cyber security is filled with complex challenges. The best way to beat them is with information. The Symantec Government Symposium will bring government leaders together to discuss the steps that have already been taken, but also to look at what needs to be improved in the future. These are just two of the many sessions designated to this topic. If you are interested in attending the event, please register here. To follow along during the event or to see updates to the program prior to the event, please follow @SymantecGov and #SymGovSym.