Under Attack?

Ransomware negotiations aren't just about money…

You're assessing compromise scope. Your technical team is containing the breach. Legal is evaluating disclosure requirements. And someone needs to communicate with the threat actors who are actively exploiting your uncertainty.

Ransomware negotiations operate on leverage, timing, and psychology…not just ransom amounts. The decisions you make in the first 72 hours determine whether you preserve options or lose control of the situation.

This isn't theoretical. Matt has negotiated with threat actors during live incidents, and he'll share what works, what backfires, and what you should never do.

Whether you're building an incident response plan or refining an existing one, this session offers practical frameworks for one of the highest-stakes scenarios in cybersecurity.

Covered in the Talk:

Communication

How threat actor communication patterns reveal leverage points and why pacing and message control often matter more than the ransom amount

Strategy

How negotiation strategy integrates with technical, legal, and business continuity considerations

Best Practices

Common mistakes that increase both cost and exposure

About the Security Summit

This one‑day summit brings together federal partners, industry leaders, and security professionals for a focused program centered on collaboration, education, and leadership in the defense of our critical infrastructure. More than a conference, this event serves as a call to action for those committed to strengthening resilience across our region.

The summit is open to all InfraGard members and affiliated partners. We encourage you to share this invitation with trusted colleagues and organizations aligned with InfraGard’s mission throughout Central Pennsylvania.

What to Expect

  • Interactive Tabletop Exercise
    Developed in partnership with our corporate partner, Zaviant, this exercise will enhance decision‑making, coordination, and crisis response capabilities.
  • Cyber “Breach Coach” Panel
    Incident response professionals, legal experts, and cyber insurance specialists will share practical insights on managing threat actor negotiations, legal considerations, and insurance coordination during cyber incidents.
  • Expert Briefings
    Presentations and updates from the FBI, CISA, Pennsylvania State Police and other leading voices in cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.
  • Networking Opportunities
    Engage with peers and leaders who share a commitment to collaboration, resilience, and security.
  • Vendors, Resources and Best Practices
    Practical tools and guidance you can take back to your organization to strengthen your security posture.

Why Attend?

The threats facing our critical infrastructure are real and continually evolving. Addressing these challenges requires shared responsibility, trusted partnerships, and leadership across sectors. Your participation plays a vital role in strengthening preparedness and resilience throughout our region.

Supporting the InfraGard Central Pennsylvania Chapter

Please note that this event also serves as an important fundraising initiative to support the Chapter’s administrative and operational needs, as well as to help underwrite future programs and events. Registration fees help cover venue, food, beverages, and related meeting expenses.