Real Estate Cyber Security Conference | Nov 2025

November 6, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Networking Reception immediately following)
COPT Defense Properties | Washington, D.C. Metro

The Real Estate Cyber Summit is a new event presented by Realcomm, focused on the urgent cybersecurity challenges facing smart buildings and critical infrastructure. Hosted in the Washington D.C. metro area by COPT Defense Properties, this full-day summit will bring together experts from cybersecurity, real estate, defense, and infrastructure to share insights, strategies, and real-world solutions for securing the built environment.

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“The Real Estate Cyber Summit couldn’t be timelier as we continue to face ever-increasing threats, known and unknown vulnerabilities, and a convergence of IT and OT technology driving yet another wave of digital transformation led by technology professionals. At the Summit, we’ll share strategies, provide actionable insights, and take another step in our ongoing effort to strengthen resilience across our community.” – Ken Kurz VP, IT / CIO, COPT Defense Properties

ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE CYBER SUMMIT

Realcomm is launching the Real Estate Cyber Summit this fall just outside Washington, D.C. The full-day event will be held on November 6 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and is dedicated to addressing the growing cybersecurity threats facing the built environment. Held at a high-security SCIF operated by COPT Defense Properties, the Summit will bring together experts from real estate, cybersecurity, defense, and infrastructure to tackle the complex vulnerabilities introduced by smart building technologies and the merging of IT and OT systems.

Through expert panels, technical sessions, and real-world case studies, attendees will gain practical strategies to secure connected buildings, protect critical assets, and strengthen operational resilience. This is a must-attend for security-minded professionals navigating the high stakes intersection of real estate and cyber risk.

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WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED

Attendees of the Real Estate Cyber Summit will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest cyber threats facing smart buildings and critical infrastructure, along with actionable strategies to mitigate risk and protect digital assets. The program will cover real-world case studies on cyber breaches, insights into securing IoT and building management systems, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration between IT, OT, and facilities teams.

A central focus will be on cyber governance—establishing frameworks and policies to ensure resilience, compliance, and accountability in an increasingly connected built environment. Sessions will explore best practices for risk assessment, incident response, and building a culture of cybersecurity across real estate organizations.

Event Sessions (Subject to change without notice)

9:00 am – 9:10 am Welcome / Opening

Speakers:

Jim Young
Realcomm

Ken Kurz
COPT Defense Properties

Greg Fitzpatrick
RECC

9:10 am – 9:40 am Fireside Chat: Threat Environment for CISOs

Global cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and CISOs are under pressure to stay ahead. This candid conversation will explore emerging attack vectors, regulatory shifts, and leadership strategies for protecting high-value CRE assets.

Speakers:

Shawn Devroude
Stealth Strategix

Mike Machtinger
FBI

Bryan Vorndran
Retired Assistant Director of FBI Cyber

9:40 am – 10:10 am Executive Spotlight: Cyber Safety – Why CRE Leaders and Boards Must Treat Cyber as an Enterprise Safety Risk, not a Technical Threat

More than 80% of cyber-attacks exploit human or operational weaknesses, not just IT systems. This session challenges CRE executives to rethink cybersecurity as a safety and continuity issue, integral to business resilience, compliance, and investor confidence.

Speakers:

Ken Kurz
COPT Defense Properties

Lucian Niemeyer
Building Cyber Security

Helane Stein
Brixmor

10:10 am – 10:30 am Secure-by-Design: A New Strategy for Achieving OT Cybersecurity

With smart buildings increasingly reliant on connected operational technology, system compromise can mean real-world disruption. Learn how “secure by design” principles can safeguard building automation systems from the ground up, reducing risk before deployment.

Speakers:

Drew Cohen
Zuul

Ryan Sen
Distech Controls

10:30 am – 10:50 am Networking Break

Take a moment to connect with peers, exchange insights, and build new relationships during our networking break. Enjoy refreshments and meaningful conversations that spark collaboration and new ideas for the sessions ahead.

10:50 am – 11:10 am Breaking & Entering: Turning Building Tech into Entry Points

Modern buildings run on connected intercoms, PAC, and cameras. Our new research reveals exploitable flaws across these systems, from perimeter intercoms to full PAC takeover and surveillance hijacking, putting thousands of sites at risk worldwide. See how attackers turn everyday “smart” devices into entry points to your premises.

Speakers:

Noam Moshe
Claroty

11:10 am – 11:25 am Case Study: Beyond VPNs: Session-Less Secure Access for Critical Sites

Each case study offers a focused deep dive into a unique project, cyber initiative, or incident that shaped the approach to security and innovation. Through concise analysis and key takeaways, these segments highlight real-world challenges, strategic responses, and lessons learned in the evolving cyber landscape.

Speakers:

Donald Roy
DGS

Ken Kurz
COPT Defense Properties

11:25 am – 11:55 am The Weakest Link or Strongest Shield? The Human Factor in the Cyber Equation

Human error remains the root cause of most data breaches. This interactive session explores how to transform staff from potential vulnerabilities into active defenders through culture, training, and behavioral analytics.

Speakers:

Calvin Nobles
University of Maryland Global Campus

Nick Natale
Brixmor

11:55 am – 12:05 pm Case Study: Black Basta Breach

Speaker:

Sandy Jacolow
Empire State Realty Trust

12:05 pm – 12:15 pm Case Study: Hackers are Sophisticated, So Don't Make it Easy on Them!

James Knight
Digital Warfare

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Networking Lunch

Refuel and recharge over lunch while connecting with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting. This is a great opportunity to share insights, continue discussions, and expand your professional network before the next session.

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Special Keynote: Nation-State Cyber Update

Nation-state actors are targeting critical infrastructure and high-value assets in CRE. This keynote provides a global intelligence briefing on current geopolitical cyber activity, attribution challenges, and how state-sponsored operations intersect with the private sector.
Speaker:

Cynthia Kaiser
Halcyon
(Former FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director)

1:45 pm – 1:55 pm Case Study: Spangdahlem Air Base

Robert Monine
Nozomi Networks

1:55 pm – 2:05 pm Case Study: Preventing Insider Threats and Data Loss

Speaker:

Mike Sweeney
Elme Communities

2:05 pm – 2:35 pm Artificial Intelligence: Threats from an FBI Perspective

AI is transforming both cybersecurity defense and criminal activity. Josh Obstfeld, an FBI expert will unpack how threat actors are leveraging AI for phishing, deepfakes, and reconnaissance, and what organizations can do to prepare.
Speaker:

Joshua Obstfeld
FBI

2:35 pm – 2:55 pm Networking Break

2:55 pm – 3:40 pm Bouncing Back: Cyber Risk, Resilience and Recovery in the Built Environment

Even with best-in-class defenses, incidents will happen. This session dives into strategies for rapid recovery, continuity planning, and building organizational resilience to ensure minimal disruption to tenants and operations.
Speakers:

Christopher Pogue CyberCX at Cyber Summit

Chris Pogue
CyberCX

Bonnie Piacentino
New Jersey Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau

Cynthia Kaiser
Halcyon

Erin Prest
McCarter & English

Justin Williams
Siemens

3:40 pm – 3:55 pm Case Study: Under Fire: Tabletop Simulation

Speaker:

Fred Gordy
Building Cyber Security

3:55 pm – 4:25 pm Stronger Together: Public & Private Cyber Defense Alliances

Collaboration is the cornerstone of modern cyber defense. This discussion highlights successful models for sharing threat intelligence between government and industry to improve response speed and resilience.
Speakers:

Shawn Devroude
Stealth Strategix

Greg Fitzpatrick
RECC

Nicholas Stello
Vornado Realty Trust

Mitch Thompson
FBI

4:25 pm – 5:00 pm End User Forum Discussion: Successes and Setbacks in CRE Cyber Defense

No two organizations face the same cyber challenges. In this open forum, end users share firsthand experiences, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what the CRE industry must do next to close critical cyber gaps.

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Networking Reception

Your final chance to network with Industry Leaders!

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ADVISORY COUNCIL

Meet the experts guiding the Real Estate Cyber Summit, shaping its focus on innovation, strategy, and cybersecurity across the built environment in commercial and corporate real estate.

SHAWN DEVROUDE
Stealth Strategix

GREG FITZPATRICK
RECC

SUSAN GEROCK
Elme Communities

DON GOLDSTEIN
5Q

SANDY JACOLOW
Empire State Realty Trust

KEN KURZ
COPT Defense Properties

MIN KYRIANNIS
Amyna

THANO LAMBRINOS
QuadReal

CECILIA LI
Urban Edge Properties

BAYRON LOPEZ
Netflix

LUCIAN NIEMEYER
Building Cyber Security

SIMON OKUNEV
Hines

CHRISTOPHER POGUE
CyberCX

ERIN PREST
McCarter & English

HELANE STEIN
Brixmor

NICHOLAS STELLO
Vornado Realty Trust

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Designed for building and portfolio leaders, technology executives, and cybersecurity professionals driving the protection and advancement of today’s connected real estate. Key roles and responsibilities represented at the Summit include:

Building & Portfolio Leadership
Owners, portfolio executives, asset managers, and facility leaders responsible for the security, efficiency, and value of their buildings.

Technology & Innovation Leaders
CIOs, CTOs, IT directors, and smart building leads driving technology adoption and integration.

Cybersecurity & Risk Experts
CISOs, security architects, risk officers, and network engineers focused on protecting connected buildings.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the top moments from the Real Estate Cyber Summit, where industry leaders and cybersecurity experts came together to address the critical challenges facing smart buildings today. From real-world strategies to protect connected infrastructure to forward-looking insights on cyber resilience, these highlights showcase the collaboration, innovation, and expertise that made this event a must-attend.

• Immersive, Full-Day Program focused on cybersecurity for smart buildings and critical infrastructure
• Expert-Led Panels featuring leaders from real estate, cyber, defense, and tech sectors
• Real-World Case Studies showcasing recent threats, breaches, and lessons learned
• Hands-On Technical Sessions exploring IT/OT convergence and building system vulnerabilities
• Strategic Networking with security-minded professionals in a former SCIF near Washington, D.C

EVENT LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

COPT Defense Properties

Why the Washington D.C. Metro Area?

The Washington D.C. Metro area was selected for the Real Estate Cyber Summit because of its strategic proximity to key government agencies, cybersecurity leaders, and tech policy influencers. Hosting the event just outside the nation’s capital allows us to tap into a rich network of experts and thought leaders focused on national security, infrastructure protection, and digital resilience. This region is a natural hub for forward-looking conversations on safeguarding smart buildings and connected real estate in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.

The venue is conveniently located near both Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport, making travel simple for out-of-town attendees. For locals in the Washington D.C. area, the venue is easily accessible by car and public transit, offering a quick and efficient trip just outside the city.

Location: COPT Defense Properties | 15049 Conference Center Drive | Chantilly, VA 20151
Date: November 6, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM EST – 5:00 PM EST

HOTELS

Several hotels near the event venue are available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. The options below are suggested, but please note Realcomm does not hold room blocks with these properties.