From September 14–17, 2026, senior cybersecurity and risk leaders from across government and industry will convene in Dallas, TX for the Vanguard Security & Compliance Conference—one of the most established forums for IBM System z® security.
Designed for executives and practitioners responsible for enterprise risk and resilience, the event delivers advanced insight into today’s threat landscape, along with proven approaches for strengthening governance, protection strategies, and regulatory alignment. With 70+ sessions, hands-on labs, and expert-led workshops, attendees gain actionable guidance to improve mainframe security posture and audit readiness.
This premier gathering offers a valuable opportunity to benchmark against peers, deepen technical and strategic expertise, and stay ahead of evolving risks impacting critical systems.
| Session Title | Date | Time | Speaker(s) |
| Keynote: Securing the Future: Navigating Quantum and AI Risks in Mainframe Modernization | Monday, September 14 | TBD | Tim Hill |
| Mainframe Penetration Testing 101: A critical layer in vulnerability management | Tuesday, September 15 | 8:00am - 9:00am | Ray Overby |
| Securing Access in the Age of AI Adversaries | Tuesday, September 15 | 9:15am - 10:15am | Barbara Ballard |
| How Security Aligns / Doesn't Align with Enterprise Risk Management Strategies | Tuesday, September 15 | 2:15pm - 3:15pm | Cynthia Overby |
| Unpacking the Mythos Phenomenon and Its Impact on Mainframe Vulnerability Strategies | Tuesday, September 15 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Ray Overby |
| RACF "Gotchas": Common security pitfalls in the mainframe environment | Wednesday, September 16 | 8:00am - 9:00am | Ray Overby & Milt Rosberg |
| Advancing Proactive IT Operations with Agentic AI | Wednesday, September 16 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Tim Hill & Ray Overby |
| z/Assure | Thursday, September 17 | 9:45am - 10:45am | Ray Overby & Michael Lazeroff |
What Mythos Can’t See: The Mainframe Risk Leaders Are Accountable For