A Little ISS History

In partnership with various security, compliance, and privacy-related organizations, ISS provides quality, cost-effective training, conferencing and networking events; promotes education and awareness to our community of professionals and students, and promotes non-profit professional IT groups and organizations with their training and conferencing efforts. More information at https://www.informationsecuritysummit.org/

History
Information Security Summit (ISS), the Midwest’s largest gathering of security professionals, began as a homegrown idea by two corporate IT managers to elevate Cleveland’s rich thought leadership in cybersecurity. In 2002 ISS was founded by two individuals who were both working in cybersecurity services at the time.  Their idea was to create local, all-volunteer security conference, training and professional development opportunities that provided space for professionals to learn without the barriers of cost or time to attend out-of-state conferences.

ISS gained traction immediately, with support and participation from the top IT security companies in the region and a host of cross-sector volunteers. The mission of ISS is to educate, collaborate and evolve the local security community amidst growing global cybersecurity threats. ISS has continued to expand their services and has become the largest and most respected cybersecurity summit in the Midwest.

Accomplishments

  • The first fall Summit was held in 2002 at the Tri-C East Campus and attracted 75 attendees
  • Since its inception, ISS has partnered with over 15 local non-profit organizations donating over $300,000.
  • In 2011 ISS organized the Chief Security Officer (CSO) Xchange.
  • In 2012 ISS held its first Spring IT Summit in Westlake, Ohio.
  • In 2015 ISS launched the Certified Enterprise Resiliency Practitioner (CERP) training
  • In 2015 ISS expanded by adding Healthcare Day to its conference
  • 2016 ISS partners with HIMSS who hosts ISS’ first off-site event.
  • 2016 ISS expanded to a full week with over 1,800 attendees
  • 2017 ISS Spring and Fall Summits move to Cleveland’s International Exposition (I-X) Center
  • 2017 The EnergyTech Forum & Conference joined the 15th Annual Information Security Summit
  • 2019 Over 1700 people attended The SUMMIT at the IX Center
  • 2020 The SUMMIT goes virtual amid the Covid pandemic and still attracts a record crowd.
  • 2021 The SUMMIT goes Hybrid at the Cleveland Wyndham Airport Hotel and has over 800 attendees
  • 2022 The SUMMIT moves back to LaCentre
  • 2023 The SUMMIT moves back to the I-X Center
  • 2023 Information Security Summit relaunches the CERP Program at ISS
  • 2024 ISS moves back to LaCentre and extablishes LaCentre as thier “forever” home for ISS
  • 2025 ISS sells out the Annual ISS Conference for the 8th year in a row.
  • 2025 ISS launched SummitPath their mentorship program devoted to developing future cybersecurity talent.

FAQ
What is Information Security Summit (ISS)?
ISS is a registered 501(c)6 nonprofit volunteer-led organization. In partnership with various security, compliance, and privacy-related organizations, ISS provides quality, cost-effective training, conferencing and networking events; promotes education and awareness to our community of professionals and students; and promotes non-profit professional IT groups and organizations with their training and collaboration efforts.

What is The SUMMIT
The SUMMIT is the most impactful week-long gathering of IT professionals in the Midwest. The Information Security Summit hosts the fall Security Summit Week annually during the last week in October. The week-long lineup of events features national speakers and local experts on the best practices in information security and data protection as well as fun activities like hackathons, Xceptional networking events, and competitions. The SUMMIT typically includes product-specific or industry-wide training programs and thought leader keynote addresses.

How does ISS Support workforce development locally?
ISS is constantly working with employers, job seekers, and educational institutions to provide quality, cost-effective training, conferences, career connections, and networking to IT professionals. In 2025 ISS launched SummitPath, their mentorship propgram.

Information Security Experts
The Information Security Summit team are led by Gary Sheehan, Executive Director of ISS.  Gary has led this all-volunteer, NFP organization since 2002 and has consistently produced excellent training, conference and networking events for the information security community.  We want to invite you to use our vast network of security professionals too as a resource to your work.