Google Cloud and Spokane-area industry partners will host the first annual Inland NW Cyber Security Conference Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Historic Davenport Hotel, at 10 S. Post.

Bill Kalivas, Spokane-based cloud strategy adviser at Google Cloud, says the free event will include a panel discussion on cybersecurity threats, incident response best practices, compliance, and security automation. Stu Steiner, Eastern Washington University assistant professor of computer science, will host a conversation with Ian Moore, federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency coordinator for Washington state.

Up to 100 attendees are expected.

Partners of the conference include Kansas City-based managed cybersecurity company Cyderes, Spokane-based cybersecurity business Drip7, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Kalivas says he hopes the event will serve as an opportunity for students and industry leaders to connect.

“This is just the beginning of something we think will be pretty special in our community and our region,” Kalivas says.