FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate will deliver the keynote address at the seventh annual Boston Conference on Cyber Security at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at Boston College's Gasson Hall.

Deputy Director Abbate will discuss the FBI's work to address today's cyber threats, the importance of strong partnerships, and the FBI's primary role to ensure Americans are safe, secure, and confident in our digitally connected world.

The half-day Boston Conference on Cyber Security is the result of a partnership between the FBI and the Masters in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance Program at Boston College's Woods College of Advancing Studies.

Additional speakers include Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge, FBI Boston Division; and Professor Kevin R. Powers, J.D., founder and director, M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy & Governance Programs at Boston College. View the 2023 program to see the entire agenda and panelists.

Accredited media must be at Gasson Hall, Room 100, by 8:30 a.m. and confirm attendance by Tuesday, June 6.

Special Agent in Charge Bonavolonta will be available for interviews on today’s cyber threats following Deputy Director Abbate’s remarks.

“Last year, Americans reported an unprecedented amount in financial losses—more than $10.2 billion—to cybercriminals. In the Boston Division, victims reported losing more than $298 million,” Bonavolonta said. “Today’s cyber threats emanating from criminals and our nation-state adversaries are far too dynamic, pervasive, and destructive not to stay current on those seeking to harm us by targeting our networks and critical infrastructure.

“The FBI is proud to co-host the 7th annual Boston Conference on Cyber Security in our continuous effort to build and strengthen relationships between the government, private sector, and academia. Cybersecurity is the ultimate team sport, and we are all in this fight together to ensure that our digitally connected world is safe and secure.”

Kevin R. Powers, director, M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy & Governance Programs at Boston College, said: "Our goal in hosting the annual Boston Conference on Cyber Security with the FBI is to build and strengthen the relationships between academia, government, and private industry, not only here in New England, but nationally. This is especially important with the current threats posed by the increasing number of ransomware attacks on private and governmental organizations. By bringing senior government leaders from the FBI, CISA, SEC, U.S. Cyber Command, along with private sector experts and practitioners, including CrowdStrike, Google Mandiant, IBM, HYCU, Goodwin, Jones Day, and Guidehouse, to BC to discuss today’s threats and address ways in which organizations, both private and public, big and small, can better protect their networks, operations, and sensitive data, we’re taking the lead consistent with the University’s mission to educate leaders to address the world’s most urgent problems and provide `service to others.’”